Facility Overview
Juniata County Jail sits right in the heart of Mifflintown, Pennsylvania. It’s a county-run facility, not some massive state prison. They house pretrial detainees, short-term inmates serving county sentences, and folks awaiting transfer to bigger spots. Capacity-wise, it’s small—around 50 beds max, though they sometimes double-bunk to handle overflow. Security is medium-level; no super-max stuff here, but guards keep a close eye since it’s tight quarters.
Most people inside are locals from Juniata County—DUIs, drug charges, domestic issues, theft. You’ll find a mix of men and women, but separate units. No death row or long-termers. It’s the kind of place where everyone knows everyone else’s business because the population turns over fast.
We talk to families every week who are shocked at how quick things move here. One guy might be in for booking Monday and out on bail by Wednesday. But if you’re stuck, it’s no picnic—basic cells, shared toilets, the usual.
Location and Contact Information
The full address is 4 North Third Street, P.O. Box 122, Mifflintown, PA 17059. Phone the main line at (717) 436-3333 for general questions. For inmate-specific stuff like the roster, try the sheriff’s office at the same number—they handle lookups. No direct email listed, but you can fax (717) 436-2124. Website? Juniata County doesn’t have a flashy online portal like bigger counties. Check the official PA Inmate Locator for statewide searches, but for Juniata specifics, call.
| Contact Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Jail Line | (717) 436-3333 |
| Sheriff’s Office | (717) 436-8300 |
| Address | 4 N 3rd St, Mifflintown, PA 17059 |
Pro tip: Call early mornings. Lines get jammed after 9 AM when families pile on.
How to Access the Juniata County Jail Roster
Want the current roster? Juniata doesn’t post a public online list like some counties—think Allegheny or Westmoreland. No daily PDF or searchable database on their site. Instead, you gotta call the jail or sheriff directly. Give them the inmate’s full name and date of birth. They’ll tell you if he’s there, booking date, and sometimes charges.
But here’s the statewide hack: Use the PA Department of Corrections Inmate Locator. It covers county jails too, updated real-time. Punch in Juniata County, and boom—current inmates pop up with mugshots sometimes. We’ve seen it work for Juniata guys waiting county time before state transfer.
Can’t find ’em? Check VineLink.com—it’s free, nationwide, and notifies you if status changes. Families swear by it. And always verify by phone; online stuff lags a day or two.
- Step 1: Hit PA Inmate Locator.
- Step 2: Select ‘County’ and Juniata.
- Step 3: Search by name.
- Step 4: No hits? Call jail.
One thing we always tell people: Rosters change hourly. That “current” list from yesterday? Might be outdated today.
Visiting Information
Visits are non-contact, through glass with phones. Hours: Weekdays 9 AM-4 PM, weekends 10 AM-3 PM. No visits on holidays. Max 2 adults per slot, 30 minutes tops. Kids under 18 need to be with a parent.
Schedule by calling ahead—no online booking. Dress code’s strict: No tank tops, shorts, hoodies, or anything sheer. They’ve turned folks away for flip-flops. Bring ID for everyone 16+. No food, packages, or gifts.
Inside, it’s a small room—buzz in, sit, talk. Guards watch everything. If the inmate’s in court or lockdown, tough luck. Weekends fill up fast, so go early.
Visiting Hours Table
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday-Friday | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Saturday-Sunday | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
| Holidays | No visits |
Reality check: COVID rules linger—masks sometimes required, temp checks at door.
Inmate Communication
Phone calls? They use Securus Technologies. Inmates call out collect or prepaid. Rates run 10-15 cents a minute—set up an account at securustech.net. No cell phones inside, obviously.
Mail’s old-school: Write to the address above, inmate’s name and booking number on envelope. No stickers, perfume, or Polaroids. They read everything. Video visits? Not standard here, but check with Securus app.
Emails? Through JPay if available, but Juniata’s basic—stick to letters. Families send books from Amazon, but only softcover, publisher-direct.
We hear complaints about call costs eating commissary dry. Tell your person to keep calls short.
Sending Money to Inmates
Commissary’s key—hygiene, snacks, stamps. Use Access Corrections kiosk at the jail or online at accesscorrections.com. No cash or money orders anymore; it’s all electronic. Minimum $10 deposit.
Funds hit in 24-48 hours. Inmates get $10-15 weekly if indigent. Track balance online. Fees? About $3 per deposit—stings, but it’s the system.
- Create account on Access site.
- Enter inmate ID.
- Deposit with card.
- Confirm receipt by phone.
Don’t send cash; it gets returned. Lawyers can deposit via separate channel.
Daily Life at This Facility
Day starts at 6 AM—breakfast slop, think oatmeal and bread. Lockdown till 8, then rec in a small yard or gym. Meals: State-minimum, mystery meat sandwiches. Showers three times a week, 10 minutes each.
Programs? AA meetings, GED classes if you’re lucky. Church on Sundays. TV in common areas—sports and news mostly. Pods are 10-20 guys, bunks stacked. Fights happen, but guards shut ’em down quick.
Nights quiet after 10 PM lights out. Bugs in summer, cold winters. Commissary buys extras like ramen to make chow edible. Mental health? Counselor once a week; wait your turn.
From what ex-inmates tell us, it’s survivable if you keep your head down. No gangs dominating like city jails.
History and Background
Built in the 1970s, renovated once in the ’90s. Housed maybe 100 back then; now half that. Notable? A 2015 escape attempt—guy scaled the fence, caught quick. Sheriff changes hands every election, policies shift a bit.
It’s classic rural county jail—budget-tight, staff local. Population spiked during opioid wave, eased now. No major scandals, unlike Philly lockups.
How to Get There
From Harrisburg: Take US-322 W, 45 minutes. GPS to 4 N 3rd St—downtown Mifflintown, free street parking. Nearest hotels: Mifflintown Motel (717-436-6363), 1 mile away. No public transit direct; taxi from Lewistown station.
Flying in? Harrisburg International, 50 miles. Rent a car. Small town—no Uber swarm.
PA Locate Inmate page for more statewide tips. And check Prison Policy Initiative reports on county jails—they’ve got data on overcrowding.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find someone on the Juniata County Jail roster?
Use the PA Inmate Locator at inmatelocator.cor.pa.gov, select Juniata County, and search by name. If nothing shows, call the jail at (717) 436-3333 with the person’s DOB. Rosters update daily but call to confirm.
Can I visit an inmate at Juniata County Jail on weekends?
Yes, weekends from 10 AM to 3 PM, non-contact only. Call ahead to schedule and check if they’re eligible—no court holds or lockdown. Bring ID; kids must be supervised.
How much does it cost to put money on an inmate’s books?
About $3 fee per deposit via Access Corrections, minimum $10. Funds post in 1-2 days for commissary buys. No cash accepted anymore.
What can I send in mail to Juniata County Jail?
Letters only—no packages, stamps, or photos initially. Use inmate’s full name and ID. They scan for contraband; expect delays.
Does Juniata County Jail have video visitation?
Not standard, but check Securus app for options. Mostly phone calls and in-person glass visits. Policies change, so ask when you call.