Facility Overview
Centre County Correctional Facility in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, is the county’s main jail. It’s a medium-security spot that houses pre-trial detainees, short-term inmates, and folks serving sentences under two years. They can hold around 200 people, but it often runs close to capacity. We’ve seen it packed during busy times like after big arrests in State College.
This place deals with everyone from minor offenders to those waiting on felony charges. No federal prisoners here usually, just local and county cases. Security is tight but fair—officers know most inmates by name after a while.
Location and Contact Information
Here’s the basics you’ll need:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 639 Blue Course Drive, Bellefonte, PA 16823 |
| Main Phone | (814) 359-4900 |
| Inmate Info | (814) 359-4902 |
| Fax | (814) 359-3480 |
| Website | Official Inmate Listing |
Call during business hours for quick answers. Weekends can be hit or miss—staff’s stretched thin.
How to Access the Centre County Jail Roster
Finding someone on the roster is straightforward if you know where to look. Head to the official Centre County Inmate Listing page. It’s updated regularly, sometimes daily. You’ll see names, booking numbers, charges, and bond info.
Search by name or booking ID. No full public mugshots online, but you’ll get DOB, intake date, and release if applicable. If it’s not there, they might be transferred or released already—rosters lag a bit.
Pro tip: Check VineLink too, linked on their site. It sends email alerts when status changes. Families love that for peace of mind.
Visiting Information
Visits are non-contact, through glass with phones. No hugs, just talk. Schedule online via their system or call ahead. Slots fill up quick on weekends.
Hours:
- Weekdays: 9 AM – 3 PM, 6 PM – 9 PM
- Weekends: 9 AM – 3 PM
- No visits on holidays
Dress code’s strict—no tank tops, shorts, or anything see-through. Leave jewelry at home; it gets confiscated. Kids under 16 need birth certificates. First-timers, bring ID and approval from the inmate’s counselor.
Visiting room smells like old coffee and disinfectant. Benches are hard plastic. You get 20-30 minutes max. Officers watch everything—keep it clean.
Inmate Communication
Phone calls are the lifeline. Inmates use Securus or similar—prepaid accounts. Calls cost $0.21/minute local, more for long distance. Set up at their commissary site or kiosk.
Mail goes through the usual: no stickers, polaroids, or perfume. Video visits via tablet in cells now—cheaper than driving over. Email through JPay or Securus apps.
Inmates get one free call on booking. After that, it’s on you. We’ve heard complaints about collect calls not going through on cell phones—use a landline if possible.
Sending Money to Inmates
Commissary keeps them going for snacks, hygiene, stamps. Use TouchPay or kiosk at the jail. Online at their site, or app. Minimum $10, fees around 5%.
- Cash at window: Exact change only
- No money orders anymore
- Funds post in 24-48 hours
A $20 deposit buys ramen, soap, and writing supplies. Don’t overload—spending limits per week.
Daily Life at This Facility
Days start at 5:30 AM with count and breakfast—oatmeal, toast, weak coffee. Lockdown till 8 AM, then rec in the yard if weather’s good. Pods have TVs, cards, but no weights usually.
Work release for low-risk guys, GED classes, NA meetings. Food’s basic: mystery meatloaf, green beans, rice. Portions small; commissary fills the gap.
Showers three times a week, 10 minutes each. Cells are two-man, concrete bunks. Bugs occasional, but staff sprays. Fights happen, but solos mostly—officers break ’em up fast.
We tell families: Send books from approved vendors only. Softcovers, no hardbacks. Helps pass the time.
History and Background
Built in 1990s, expanded twice since. Replaced an old overcrowded lockup downtown. Handled big cases like PSU scandals—Jerry Sandusky types held here briefly.
Recent upgrades: New HVAC after complaints, body scanners cut contraband. Sheriff rotates; current team’s decent, focuses on rehab over punishment.
How to Get There
From State College: Take I-99 N, exit 83B to Blue Course Dr. 15-minute drive. Parking’s free, but limited—arrive early.
Nearby hotels: Best Western in Bellefonte, motels off 99. Bus from Harrisburg via Greyhound, then Uber. No public transit direct.
Google Maps works fine, but watch for construction near PSU campus.
What Families Tell Us About the Roster
We get calls daily: “He’s not on the list!” Often, it’s a transfer to SCI Rockview nearby. Or bail posted quietly. Roster shows active inmates only—released ones vanish quick.
One mom said her son was listed with wrong charges—fixed after she called records. Always verify by phone.
Bail and Release Process
Bonds set at arraignment. Cash, surety, or PR. Pay at clerk’s office or bondsman. Releases take 4-12 hours—paperwork bottleneck.
Weekends? Forget it till Monday. Property pickup separate: ID, signature, wait in line.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t send cash in mail—gets shredded. Skip unapproved vendors for books. And calling at 2 AM won’t get answers.
Families fight over who adds money—set up one account, share access.
Legal Help and Next Steps
Get a public defender if broke—they’re solid here. Private attorneys visit free. Court dates on roster sometimes.
Resources: Prison Policy Initiative for stats, local ACLU for rights issues. Call us anytime—we’ve been through it.
Check Pennsylvania DOC site for state transfers: PA Inmate Locator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find someone on the Centre County Jail roster?
Go to the official Centre County website at centrecountypa.gov/232/Inmate-Listing. Enter the name or booking number. It shows current inmates, charges, and bond. Call (814) 359-4902 if not listed—they update daily.
Can I visit an inmate right after arrest?
No, there’s a 48-hour hold usually for processing. Get approved first through the inmate’s counselor. Visits are scheduled online or by phone, non-contact only.
How much are phone calls from Centre County Jail?
About $0.21 per minute for local calls via Securus. Set up a prepaid account online. Inmates can’t call cells sometimes—use landlines.
What if my loved one isn’t on the roster?
They might be released, transferred, or still in holding. Check VineLink for alerts. Call the jail directly; rosters don’t show everyone.
How do I send money to an inmate’s commissary?
Use TouchPay online or the kiosk. Fees apply, minimum $10. Funds show up in 1-2 days for snacks and supplies.