Facility Overview
The Clinton County Correctional Facility sits in McElhattan, Pennsylvania, about five miles outside Lock Haven. It’s a county jail, not a state prison, so it holds people awaiting trial, serving short sentences under two years, or sometimes state inmates when the state pays to house them there. Built back in 1990 for over three million bucks, it follows that “new generation” design where guards work right in the pods with inmates—no catwalks or bars separating them. Capacity-wise, it’s around 200 beds, but like most jails, it gets crowded. We’ve seen it house locals from Clinton County plus some from nearby areas when their spots fill up.
Security here is medium—think general population with some segregation for troublemakers or medical needs. No supermax vibes, but don’t expect a country club. Inmates range from first-timers scared out of their minds to guys who’ve bounced in and out for years. One thing we always tell families: this place emphasizes direct supervision, so guards interact a lot. That can mean quicker resolutions to issues but also depends on the shift.
Location and Contact Information
Full address: 175 Firehouse Road, McElhattan, PA 17748. Phone the main line at (570) 547-1651 for general questions. Want the inmate roster or to check if someone’s there? They don’t have a public online search like some big counties—call the facility directly or hit up the Pennsylvania Inmate Locator at inmatelocator.cor.pa.gov. That’s the official statewide tool, and it pulls real-time data.
| Contact Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Phone | (570) 547-1651 |
| Fax | (570) 547-5383 |
| County Website | clintoncountypa.gov/correctional-facility |
| State Locator | inmatelocator.cor.pa.gov |
Email isn’t listed publicly, so stick to phone or mail. And yeah, policies shift—always double-check by calling.
How to Access the Clinton County PA Jail Roster
Families call us panicked: “Where’s the inmate list?” Straight up, Clinton County doesn’t run a flashy online roster like some Missouri counties. Use the PA Department of Corrections Inmate Locator—that’s your best bet for current listings. Punch in the name, and it’ll show if they’re at Clinton County CF or transferred elsewhere.
But here’s the real talk: that tool lags sometimes. Call the jail at 570-547-1651 during business hours. Officers there are usually straight shooters; tell ’em you’re family, give the full name and DOB, and they’ll confirm status. No games. We’ve helped dozens track down loved ones this way when online searches flop.
Pro tip: Note the booking number if you get it—that’s gold for commissary or visits. And if it’s a fresh arrest, wait 24-48 hours; processing takes time.
Visiting Information
Visiting’s non-contact here, through glass with phones, like most county jails. Hours are typically weekends: Saturdays and Sundays, 9 AM to 3 PM, but confirm by phone—they split pods and have slots. No visits on holidays usually.
Schedule? Call ahead or check at the desk; it’s first-come, first-served mostly, 15-30 minutes per session. Dress code’s strict: no tank tops, shorts, hoodies, or anything sheer. Leave jewelry at home—they’ll turn you away fast. Kids under 16 need birth certificates.
The room? Basic—plastic chairs, vending machines humming, that sterile smell. Guards watch close, so keep hands visible. We’ve heard from families it’s tense but doable if you follow rules. Bring ID, and if you’re approved on the list (inmate adds you), you’re good.
Inmate Communication
Phone calls go through Securus Technologies—rates around 10-15 cents a minute, collect or prepaid. Inmates get a PIN; you set up an account at securustech.net. Video visits? Yeah, they offer those remotely via Securus too, which beats driving if you’re far.
Mail’s standard: send to the facility address, inmate’s full name and booking number. No Polaroids, no lipstick, 10 photos max per envelope. They scan it electronically now, so expect delays. Emails through JPay or Securus kiosk inside.
One common gripe: calls cut off mid-sentence. Tell your person to speak clear and wrap up key stuff first. We always advise families to budget for this—it’s not cheap, but it’s a lifeline.
Sending Money to Inmates
Commissary’s how they buy ramen, soap, stamps. Use Access Corrections or Securus—online at accesscorrections.com or their app. Minimum $10, fees apply. No cash or money orders by mail anymore; it’s all electronic.
Funds hit in 1-3 days. Inmates see it on the kiosk. Max balance around $200. We’ve seen families slip up sending too much at once—it gets held. Start small, and track your account online.
Daily Life at This Facility
Wake up at 6 AM, count, breakfast slop—oatmeal or eggs if lucky. Lockdown till 8, then rec in the pod: cards, TV (basic cable), maybe a book from the cart. Meals three times: lunch is the big one, dinner light. Showers daily, but hot water’s iffy.
Programs? GED classes, NA meetings, some vocational stuff like janitorial certs. Church on Sundays. Gangs aren’t huge here, but cliques form. Fights happen—guards break ’em quick thanks to direct supervision. Medical’s on-site nurse; serious stuff to Lock Haven Hospital.
Nights quiet after 10 PM count. Bugs in summer, cold winters. Inmates tell us it’s manageable if you keep your head down. One guy we know did six months there—said the guards were fairer than state joints.
History and Background
Clinton County’s first jail? 1852 in Lock Haven, tiny 13 cells by 1872. Cost peanuts back then. That old stone building’s still there on Church Street. Fast-forward to 1990: new spot in McElhattan, modern pod design to cut violence and costs. It’s housed state overflow since, bringing in cash.
Notable? A few escapes in the old days, but nothing wild lately. During COVID, they locked down hard—families went months without visits. Today, it’s steady, run by county sheriff’s oversight.
How to Get There
From Lock Haven: Take PA-120 west, left on Firehouse Road—10 minutes. GPS it: plenty of parking. No public transit direct, so drive or Uber from town. Nearby hotels? Days Inn in Mill Hall (15 min), or Lock Haven University area motels. Gas up in Lock Haven; rural out there.
Flying in? Williamsport Regional Airport, 45 minutes south. Rent a car. Directions from Philly: I-80 west to US-220 north, exit to PA-120.
We tell out-of-towners: plan for traffic on weekends, bring snacks—nothing fancy nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find someone on the Clinton County PA jail roster?
Use the official PA Inmate Locator at inmatelocator.cor.pa.gov—enter name and DOB. If nothing shows, call the facility at (570) 547-1651. It updates frequently but call to confirm.
Can I visit an inmate at Clinton County Correctional Facility?
Yes, weekends 9 AM-3 PM, non-contact. Get on the list via inmate request, dress modestly, bring ID. Call first for your pod’s slot.
How do I put money on an inmate’s books there?
Go to accesscorrections.com or Securus app, use booking number. Deposits from $10, available in 1-3 days for commissary buys.
What are the phone call rules at this jail?
Inmates call out via Securus, collect or prepaid. Set up at securustech.net. Rates 10-15 cents/minute; video options too.
Does Clinton County PA jail have an online inmate search?
No direct roster on their site. Use the state locator or phone the jail. Always verify by calling as transfers happen fast.