Berks County Jail – Leesport, PA

Berks County Jail is in Berks County and is the jail for the county. Know someone in Berks County Jail? This guide tells you all about everything you might want to know about Berks County Jail,like the following: Find an inmate at Berks County Jail. How to view Berks County Jail mugshots. The jail’s phone number and address. Bail and bail bondsmen. Booking and intake procedures. Berks County court information. And lots more.

The thought of going to jail is a daunting and scary idea, not only for the person who gets locked up, but also that person’s family and friends. The purpose of this guide is to give information and tips that you’ll need to make helping someone get out of jail a little less stressful. If you have questions, just ask it in the comment section below, and please leave any tips or comments that might help other people in the same situation is appreciated.

Do you have a friend or family member that has gone to jail and need to find out where they are?

Do you know someone that’s been arrested and you want to find them?

To look up who’s in jail at Berks County Jail you have to navigate to their web site and do an inmate lookup.

The Berks County Jail Inmate Roster is a list of persons who have been arrested, including status, bail amount, and visiting schedule. Also, you can get the same information about anybody who has been arrested or discharged within the past 24 hours. Prisoners are listed in alphabetical order by their last name. You can get their inmate information quicker if you enter their first and last name, date of birth, or inmate ID Number.

If the inmate you are looking for might be in another jail you can look here, too: Other Jails in Pennsylvania

A mugshot, also called a jail booking photo, is a picture that the jail takes when you get processed at jail intake. They take one face photo and a side-view photo. Your full name and jail ID number will appear on the pictures, and they are stored.

Mugshots of inmates can be found online, or you can see them in person at the Berks County Jail. When you search for mugshots on the website you will have to enter the prisoner’s full name, and an arrest date, if you have it.

Want to get your mugshot erased from the Berks County Jail website? This is difficult, since your mugshot is a public record. You must file a Petition to Expunge with the court. What this means is that all of your arrest records would be sealed, and unavailable to the public. It is difficult to do this, and you will most likely need the services of a lawyer.

For a more in-depth article about getting your mugshot removed, the various mugshot websites, and the mugshot removal websites: How To Get Your Mugshot Removed

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If you are arrested and put in jail, your main thought is about getting out. After you’ve gone through booking, a bail amount will be set either by bail schedule or magistrate. If no bail is set this may mean that you will either get released, pending trial, or you must remain in jail until your trial.

If you do bail out you are required to promise to be in court on your court date, and until that date you are not allowed to leave town.

In most cases, prisoners at Berks County Jail can earn an early release in exchange for good behavior if they don’t break the rules and area a good inmate while they are in jail.

If you do exhibit good behavior and the jail believes you can be trusted, you may be granted work release. You will have to stay jail at the end of the day when you’re finished working, or you could get to live in a halfway house instead of jail.

Your bail is money that you have to pay to the courts to be released from jail pending trial. Your bail amount depends on how serious your crime is. You will need to pay to the courts 10 percent of the total that was determined so you are able to get out of jail. If you fail to show up for your court appearance, the person that bailed you out of jail will lose all of the bail money.

In order to find out how much someone’s bail is, you have to call the Berks County Jail or the County Courthouse. If know the person’s information, like name, address and date of birth, they’ll let you know what their bail is set at. You can also find out how much their bail is on the jail website.

Bailing out of jail is an unpleasant situation, but thankfully, it is easy if you have the money. To start with, find out if it is a “Cash Bond Only”. If it is, you can’t use the services of a bondsman. Cash only – they won’t take a personal check. Once the cash bond has been paid, the person will be discharged. If this person doesn’t violate any of the terms of their release, you’ll get the bail money back.

If the amount of bail set is large, or you just can’t afford it, you might need to use a bail bondsman. Bondsmen will usually charge you a fee of 10-15% of the total bail amount, and sometimes charge a minimum of $100. This is non-refundable and must be paid in cash. If their bail has been set particularly high, the bail bondsman might ask to use your assets as collateral.

You can find a bail bondsman go to: How to find a bail bondsman

Have you ever had to find a bondsman because you or someone you know got arrested? If so, post a comment below and tell about it, and let us know how things turned out.

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• Early Release For Good Behavior
• Work Release
• Released For Time Served
• Get Out on a Pre-Trial Release Program
• Get Released on House Arrest
• Be Released on Your Own Recognizance

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The jail intake procedure is made up of each of the following steps:

• You will be placed in a holding cell. If the jail is busy, it will take a while to get processed.
• You must answer some basic questions, like your full legal name, home address, birth date and an emergency contact person.
• They’ll also ask you about your mental and medical history.
• You will be given an inmate number.
• You will get fingerprinted.
• You will have a front and profile photo taken for your mugshot.
• Any personal property you have will be taken away from you and stored until you are discharged.
• You will get to use the phone so you can contact a member of your family, friend, or bondsman to arrange bail.
• If they expect that you will make bail and be released quickly, you might be able to wear your own clothes, otherwise you will have to change into a jail issued jumpsuit.

Have you been arrested and gone through jail intake? If you have, please tell your story so other people can learn from your experience. How long did it take to get through intake? How did the guards treat you? Can you tell us things that might help other people make it through the process?

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Once you are able to post bail, you will get released from jail. Getting discharged takes anywhere from 15 minutes to hours or even all day long. So, the faster bail is posted, the quicker you will get let go. How quickly you get discharged will depend on whether or not you’ve got a bond amount or if the judge must determine the bail amount. For a minor charge, you will be booked and released on your own recognizance. When you have served out your jail sentence and are given a discharge date, you should expect to be discharged between 9am and noon.

for your arrest, or if you need to report to start a sentence, it is highly recommended that you follow the rules and turn yourself into the authorities. For a warrant, go down to the jail, in the reception area, and tell someone that think that there is an outstanding arrest warrant out for you. A record check will be run, and if they find one, you will be taken into custody. If you have a jail sentence to serve, go to the jail at the time and date that the sentence order lists. Be sure that you aren’t late. Only bring allowed items when you turn yourself in, such as your driver’s license or even photo ID, any prescription medication you might take, along with your doctor’s prescription, as well as a sentencing order.

Inmates need to give the name and date of birth of each visitor to the jail. Your visitor’s information will go into a Visiting log for the inmate that requested the visitor. All visitors must provide acceptable photo identification when visiting an inmate. Any visitors that arrives for visitation late or that does not have a visitation order will not be able to attend visitation.
Visitation procedures at Berks County Jail are always changing, so make sure that you review the jail site before you visit an inmate.

Phone calls that inmates are allowed to make from jail are made through a jail approved pre-paid phone account or phone card . These phone calls are typically more expensive than regular phone calls. Inmates are able to make phone calls, with restrictions on when and how often you can use the phone, but inmates must keep in mind that a long line can form at the phones, because everyone wants to use the phone, too. If you break the rules and are disciplined, your ability to use the phone could be reduced or eliminated completely, as part of the punishment.

The Berks County Jail phone number is: 610-208-4800

All mall sent to inmates must be sent using the actual US Postal Service, and not courier or delivery, or hand delivered. You shouldn’t use any other method of mail delivery. You have to clearly write or type the name, prisoner number, and the address of the jail on the outside of the letter that you send. Don’t send a box or package, padded envelope, bag, or an envelope with metal inside. All mail sent to inmates gets opened and inspected by the staff, and will get sent back if it can’t be delivered.

Use this address when sending a letter to an inmate at Berks County Jail:

Berks County Jail
1287 County Welfare Road
Leesport, PA 19533

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Berks County Jail
1287 County Welfare Road
Leesport, PA 19533

The Berks County Jail mail policy can change, so double check the official website when you send a letter.

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If you get arrested, you have certain rights, one of these is the right to request an attorney. You won’t get many phone calls in jail, so you would be wise to ask a friend or family member to locate a lawyer when you call them. You’re probably asking yourself ‘but do I really need an attorney’ You are not required to have an attorney for some criminal charges, a lawyer will make sure you know your rights, protect your interests and help you find your way through the court system that you are now faced with. The quicker you get a lawyer involved with your case, the better your chances.

For more detailed information on the benefits of hiring a lawyer, go to: Find an Attorney

If you’ve been arrested and cannot afford a lawyer, a Public Defender will be assigned to you. In addition, the Public Defender’s Office is staffed by private investigators, forensics experts as well as social case workers. All Public Defenders are bona-fide lawyers who are members of the State Bar and are licensed to handle your case.

Have you ever had to use a Public Defender or court appointed attorney? How did they do?

Court records are public and available to anyone who requests them. Court records contain a file with a docket and each of the documents filed in the course of your case. You, and anyone else, can access your court case records using the Berks County website, or at the Berks County Clerk of Court.

A Clerk of Court is an officer and clerk of the court that manages the records. They also administer the oath for anyone testifying in court, and read the verdict when delivered by the jury. All records, documents, and evidence associated with your case are kept at Berks County Clerk of Court office.

Court fees and costs are the charges and fees associated with your case, for example filing charges, motion and claim fees, and court appearance fees. If you don’t have the money to pay these fees and have a court appointed attorney, you can get a waiver for these fees and won’t have to pay them.

The Berks County magistrate is the type of judge that will preside over your case in court. Magistrates are judges that do different tasks, such as setting bail, issuing warrants for arrest, and acting as the presiding judge over preliminary court proceedings and detention hearings.

Your pre-sentencing report is completed to include information about the defendant’s background and information about the arrestee’s life, which the magistrate judge will review and take into account when determining a sentence. Information, details, and character witnesses will be gathered from the defendant, his or her family, and, if applicable, the victim in the crime. Be sure to remember that you should request to get your own copy of your pre-sentencing report before sentencing, so you have the opportunity to correct any inaccurate information.

After you are convicted of a crime, you will then get sentenced. The judge will have several different options when sentencing you, including community service, house arrest, and probation, to even incarceration in jail or prison. Depending on the severity of the crime, you might get immediately taken into custody, or you could get a date that you must go to jail to serve your term.

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Do you want to find out if somebody you know is incarcerated, or has been an inmate in the past?

To do so, you will have to go to the Berks County jail website, and search by:

• The inmate’s name.
• Birth date.
• Their booking date.
• and their jail ID.

If you think this person is in jail, you can call the jail find out if they’ve been arrested.

If you think you have an outstanding warrant, you can check arrest warrants inquiry on the Berks County court website or you are able to call the jail. This requires a first and last name. You can also go to the local jail and ask them. You should know that if you do have an outstanding warrant, you should be prepared to get taken into custody immediately.

If you know the person’s first and last name, as well as their arrest date, contact the Berks County jail, either by phone, in person, or look online. An arrest is in the public record and this information is accessible by the public.

A Civil Process is when someone has been served with papers, which can be warrants. You can access civil process orders by getting in touch with the Berks County Sheriff’s office, on their website or by phone.

All registered sex offenders have to be registered on both a national and state sex offender database. Those listed on these databases have been tried by jury and convicted in a court of law of a sex crime. You are able to see this information online, but you should know that you will not be able to see the precise address, rather the address block they live on.

Court Records are public records and available to anyone. These records include a court case file that includes a docket and any filings and documents filed in the case. You can access your court records via the internet, or at the Berks County Clerk of Court in the county where the case was filed.

Every state keeps a record of people’s criminal history. These state databases are all connected so you can track criminal histories from any other state. You can go to county courthouse and inquire, or you can check online. It helps to know which county the crime occurred in, and in the event that the crime was in a completely different state, you may have to pay a fee for a more complete search.

When you look up someone’s criminal record you can get a listing of all the arrests, charges, or convictions for any crimes, which can include:

• DUI or DWI.
• Drug offenses.
• Kidnapping.
• Rape or other sexual assault.
• Violent crimes like assault or murder.
• Theft, breaking and entering.

When you do a criminal history search, you generally will not be able to find out if someone had:

• Speeding or reckless driving.
• Drivers license suspended or revoked.
• Any accidents.
• Other moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

To search for this kind of information, you will have to do a driving history search.

Have you ever searched for criminal records? How hard was it? Was your search online or did you have to call the Berks County courthouse? Was the information you received correct? There are many reasons that people search for criminal records, and your account might help other people.

Click here to tell about all about it

Most Wanted

The FBI has their list of the Ten Most Wanted Criminals. In Berks County, the Berks County Sheriff’s Department keeps their own list of most wanted criminals and fugitives.

FBI Ten Most Wanted List: External Link


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

Just the thought of spending time in Berks County Jail is something you wish you could avoid, eventually you will become accustomed to the daily routine there. All inmates get a wake-up alarm at 6:00am, and next you’ll have roll call. After roll call you will get breakfast. When you finish breakfast you will be required to work in the program that has been assigned to you. This could be working in the kitchen, laundry, or some sort of manufacturing job. While this may seem tedious, it may help you when you leave jail, as you are gaining experience in a certain field of work. Other inmates go to school, while some take part in mandated treatment programs. After lunch, there will be another roll call, then back to work. Your evening will be spent either in your cell or a common room. During this time dinner is served and you will be expected to take a shower. After another roll call, it’s lights out. Even though you will be confined to your cell, there may be enough light to read or write letters. Then again, most inmates welcome lights out, and try to get as much sleep as they can.

Most people are frightened at the idea of jail because they don’t know what to expect. If you have spent any time in Berks County Jail, your experiences would be welcomed, if it can help another person to deal with it.

Dress Code

When incarcerated, all inmates are expected to wear the Berks County Jail uniform. This is normally a jumpsuit or scrubs. Of note to anyone visiting an inmate – you must be properly dressed. Any clothing considered inappropriate will not be permitted.

How To Send Money to an Inmate

You will have your own ‘bank account’ while in jail. This money is used to purchase items from the Commissary. Family and friends can deposit money into this account for you, and any money you earn while in prison will also be deposited into your account. Outside money can be paid in to your account via a money order, cash or check. If someone sends a check or money order, make sure that they write your inmate ID on it. The maximum amount you are allowed in your account is $290 per month.

The rules for sending money to Berks County Jail inmates might change, so you should review the the Berks County Jail website when you send any money.


Commissary

The commissary is the jail store. You can purchase a number of things here, such as toiletries, snacks and writing supplies. Bear in mind that you will probably want to use the commissary daily, and any infractions will get that privilege taken away from you.

Inmate Medications

If you are on any type of prescription medication, you will be allowed to continue taking it while in jail. When you are first processed, you will be asked what medication you take. You will then be referred to the jail nurse or doctor who will be in charge of monitoring your health and prescribing your medication.

Meals

You will get three meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. As expected, they are very basic, but healthy. A typical breakfast might be cereal, toast, coffee and fruit. Lunch might be spaghetti, salad, bread and milk. Dinner could be chicken casserole, rice, vegetables, dessert and milk. Contrary to popular belief, prison food has greatly improved over the years, and you might find that it’s not much different from what you would eat at home.

Pods / The Yard

The jail is designed in a ‘pod’ layout, with self-contained housing arranged around an outdoor yard. Each pod has a central control station and a common room, and the inmates take turns in using the yard. The jail is designed this way to keep certain inmates together, and others away from the general population.

Gangs

As with life in general, gangs are a part of prison life. Obviously it is best to avoid becoming a part of this environment as it will only lead to trouble. When you first enter prison, you might find yourself being ‘primed’ to join a gang, or worse, you might get their attention in a negative way. The best thing to do is keep your head down and don’t get involved.


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News and Media

News

Photos / Pictures

Videos


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Jobs

Types of Jobs at Berks County Jail

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Berks County Jail, overseeing the day to day operations and administration of the jail. An inmate is unlikely to have much interaction with the Deputy Sheriff, unless they have committed an infraction. Detention Officers are responsible for the custody and care of the inmates. They maintain order in the jail, and handle security. A Detention Officer is assigned to a certain pod, and therefore is responsible for the same inmates each day. They get to know the inmates on a certain level and are well equipped to handle any problems that may occur.

Apply for a Job at Berks County Jail

Requirements:

• You must be over the age of 21.
• You must possess a High School Diploma or GED
• You must be a US Citizen.
• You must pass a Criminal, Credit and Driving History background check.
• You must pass a drug test.
• You must have a good level of fitness.
• You must be in good health.
• You must have a valid Driver’s License
• An applicant for Deputy Sheriff must possess a Law Enforcement Certification.


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Family Resources

There are resources for families of both the perpetrator of the crime and the victim. The social and emotional impact of crime is far reaching, affecting many. Families can receive professional counseling, court related assistance, social services assistance and help in navigating the criminal justice system.

If you are a family member, which resources did you find to be particularly helpful? Please let us know, as this will be helpful to other families in the same situation.

Tell Your Story


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Victim Resources

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.

Victim’s Rights

The Victim Rights Act grants victims the following rights:

• You have the right to protection from the accused.
• You have the right to notification.
• You have the right to attend proceedings.
• You have the right to speak at criminal justice proceedings.
• You have the right to consult with the prosecuting attorney.
• You have the right to restitution.
• You have the right to a speedy trial.
• You have the right to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect.

The definition of victim includes:

• Spouses and children of all victims.
• Parents and guardians of minor victims.
• Parents, guardians and siblings of mentally or physically incapacitated victims or victims of homicide.
• Foster parents or other caregivers, under certain circumstances.

There are a number of services and programs designed to help victims and their families. You can find out about these services by contacting the courthouse, or local law enforcement agency.

Victim Notification

The Department of Justice Victim Notification System (VNS) is a system that provides victims with information pertaining to their case and/or any defendants in the case. You will receive a Victim Identification Number (VIN) and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) that will allow you to access VNS via the internet or by phone. Here, you will find information about future court hearings, historical court events, and detailed information about the defendant. This will include criminal charges filed, the outcome of charges, sentence imposed, custody location, projected release date and any other release information. The VNS website is updated daily. You will also receive any ongoing information by mail or email.

Have you, a family member or friend ever used the Victim Notification System? If so, was it effective? Did you get the information in a timely manner? Was the system difficult to use? We would like to hear from you, so please post any comments here.

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Sex Offender Information and Search

All people registered as sex offenders are registered on either a national or state sex offender database. The people on these databases have been convicted of a sex or kidnapping crime. You can access this information online, but bear in mind that you will not get the exact address, rather the block that they live on.

Domestic Violence

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, there are services to help you. Your county will have a Domestic Violence Services office. They provide free and confidential services, such as emergency shelter information, legal advocacy, support groups and domestic violence education. They will work to help you create a safe and violence-free life, and heal from the trauma of abuse.

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.


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Reviews

Reviews of this Jail

Have you ever spent any time at Berks County Jail? Do you have a friend or family member that is an inmate there? Have you ever visited a prisoner in this jail?

If so, then please write a review about it. Write about your jail experience because others can find out what to expect.

What to put in your review:

• Conditions at the jail.
• Jail layout and facility
• Staff and guards
• Food and commissary
• Visitation Days
• Inmates.
• Prisoner safety
• Gangs
• Prisoner programs and activities


Click here to review Berks County Jail

Tell Your Story

Everybody who’s been arrested and thrown in jail has a story about it. Why’d you end up in jail? How did the guards treat you? What was it like in jail? What about the other inmates? How has this experience impacted your life?

Tell Your Story

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Did you make friends in jail? Trying to send a message to somebody you met when you were locked up? Say hello here, just leave a message below.

Say Wassup


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