Lackawanna County Prison – Scranton, PA

Lackawanna County Prison is located in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania and is the main jail for that region. Looking for someone locked up in Lackawanna County Prison? This page gives you information about anything you might want to know about Lackawanna County Prison,such as: Find an inmate at Lackawanna County Prison. How to view Lackawanna County Prison mugshots. The jail’s phone number and address. Bailing out of jail. Lackawanna County Prison intake procedures. Court records. And lots more.

The prospect of getting arrested and going to jail is a scary and daunting situation, not only for the person who goes to jail, but also their friends and family. The goal of this guide is to give information that you need to make helping someone get out of jail a little less stressful. If you have specific questions, please feel free to ask it in the comment section below, and please leave any tips or comments that would be a benefit to others will be welcome.

Do you have a family member or friend that is incarcerated and need to locate them?

Has a family member or friend that has been arrested and you need to find out where they are?

In order to search who is in jail at Lackawanna County Prison you will need to navigate to their link and do an inmate search.

The Lackawanna County Prison Inmate Lookup is an online list of people who have been arrested and are in jail, which includes custody status, how much their bail is, and schedule for visitation. Also, you are able to get the same information for anybody arrested and processed or released in the past 24-hour period. Jail inmates are listed alphabetically by their last name. You will be able to locate their arrest information fast if you’ve got the arrestee’s first and last name, birth date, or arrest number.

If the inmate you are looking for may be in a different jail you should check our Pennsylvania county jail guide: Pennsylvania County Jails

A mugshot, also called a jail booking photograph, is the picture that the police take when you are processed at the jail intake. They will take one face photo and a profile picture. Your name and intake number will be in the pictures, and they’re on file.

Mugshots of people who have been arrested are on the website, or you can view them at the Lackawanna County Prison. When you search for mugshots on the website you will need to enter the person’s name, and a booking date.

Want to have your mugshot removed from the Lackawanna County Prison website? This is difficult, as the mugshot is public record. To get your mugshot removed you must file a Petition to Expunge with the court. What this means is that your arrest record would be sealed, and will not be accessible. Unfortunately, this happens very rarely.

For a more in-depth article about getting your mugshot taken down, the various mugshot websites, and the mugshot removal websites: How To Get Your Mugshot Taken Down

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If you are locked up, your primary thought is when and how to get out. After you’ve gone through booking, bail will be set either through a preset bail schedule or a magistrate. In cases where no bail is set this can mean that you will either be released on your ‘own recognizance’ until your court date, or you must remain in jail until your trial.

If you are released you must agree to be in court on your court date, and until that day you are not permitted to leave town.

Usually, prisoners can earn time off for good behavior if they don’t break the rules and act right while they are in jail.

If you follow the rules, you might be allowed to do work release. You will be required to stay jail each day after work, or you may have the chance to move to a halfway house instead of jail.

Your bail is how much money that you will be required to pay in order to be released from jail until you go to court. Your bail amount all depends on the crime you are charged with. Someone will have to put up ten percent of the total that was set so you can get discharged from jail. If you fail to show up for your scheduled court date, whoever paid your bail will not get their money back.

To find out how much bail money you will need to bail someone out of jail need to call the jail. If know the person’s information, including name, address and date of birth, they will tell you what their bail is set at. You can also find out how much their bail is on the Lackawanna County Prison website.

Having to get someone out of jail is an unpleasant situation, but usually, it is very simple to do. First, you need to find out if it is a “Cash Bond Only”. If it is, you can’t get a Bail Bondsman. Cash only – the jail will not accept a check. When you’ve paid bail, the person will be released into your care. If they don’t violate the terms of their bail, you’ll get your money back.

If the bail amount is too high, or you just don’t have the money, you will need to use a bail bondsman. Bail bondsmen will generally charge you a fee of 10-15% of the bail amount, and in most cases with a minimum fee of $100. This money is non-refundable and must be paid in cash. If their bail has been set particularly high, the bondsman will in these cases ask to use assets as collateral in addition to the fee they charge.

To find a bail bondsman go to: Find a bail bondsman

Have you ever hired a bondsman because you or someone you know got arrested? If so, please share your experience in a comment below, and let us know how it worked out for you.

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

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The intake procedure takes you through these steps:

• You will be placed in a holding cell. If the jail is really busy, you will have to wait, sometimes for many hours, before you get processed.
• The first step is that you will answer some basic questions, like your full name, street address, birthdate and an emergency contact person.
• They’ll also ask you about your medical and mental history.
• You will be given an inmate ID.
• You will be fingerprinted.
• They will take your mugshot.
• All of your personal property will be taken from you and stored until you are discharged.
• They will allow you to make a telephone call so you can talk to a family member, friend, or bail bondsman.
• If you are expected to be released shortly, you will be allowed to keep wearing your own clothes, otherwise you will have to change into a jail uniform.

Have you ever been booked into jail? If you have, you should share your experience so others can benefit from your story. How long did you have to wait? What was your treatment like? Can you share any tips that might help others make it through the process?

Click here to share your story

When you pay your bail, you will get released from jail. Getting discharged takes anywhere from 30 minutes to quite a few hours. In simple terms, the faster you can pay your bail, the faster you will get let go. It also will depend on if you’ve got a bond amount or if the magistrate has to decide on how much your bail will be. For minor offenses, you will simply be booked and get released without having to post bail. When you get to the end of your sentence and are given a release date, expect to get discharged anywhere between the hours of 9am and 12pm.

In the event there is a, or if you must begin your sentence in jail, it is highly recommended that you do the right thing and go down to the jail and turn yourself in. If you have a warrant, go to the jail reception area, and let them know that you think they might have a warrant for your arrest. They will do a check to find out if there is an arrest warrant for you, and if they find one, you will be taken into custody. When reporting to serve a sentence, go down to the jail at the time and date that the sentence order requires you to. Ensure that you don’t show up late. Just bring allowed items with you, like a driver’s license or state issued ID, any prescription medication you might take, as well as the sentencing order.

Inmates must give the name and date of birth of each visitor to the jail in advance of any visit. This information will go into the visitation log for the inmate. Each visitor will be required to provide identification. Any visitors showing up late or any visitors that are not approved to visit will be turned away.
Visitation procedures change often, so you should double-check the official jail site before you go to the jail to visit.

All phone calls from jail are made through a jail approved pre-paid phone account or phone card . Jail phone calls are a lot more expensive than phone calls made outside of jail. Phone calls are restricted on when you can make phone calls, how long you can talk, and how often you can make calls, but inmates must keep in mind that you are just one of many people who want to talk to their loved ones. If you break the rules and are disciplined, phone calls could be reduced or eliminated altogether.

The Lackawanna County Prison phone number is: 570-963-6639

Any mail that you send to an inmate must be sent via the US Postal Service. You must not use any other form of delivery. You must write the inmate’s name, inmate ID, and jail address on the envelope. Don’t mail a box, envelope with padding, plastic bag, or an envelope with metal inside. Any mail will be opened and read and inspected by the staff, and the mail will be sent back if the jail decides it is inappropriate.

Use this address when sending a letter to someone incarcerated at Lackawanna County Prison:

Lackawanna County Prison
1371 North Washington Avenue
Scranton, PA 18509

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Lackawanna County Prison
1371 North Washington Avenue
Scranton, PA 18509

The Lackawanna County Prison inmate mail policy is always changing, so be sure to visit the the Lackawanna County Prison website before send a letter to someone in jail there.

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When you get arrested, you still have certain rights, one of these being the right to request an attorney. Remember that you may be limited to the amount of phone calls you can make, so you would be wise to get a friend or family member to locate an attorney when you talk to them. You may be thinking ‘I don’t have to get a lawyer – I can just represent myself’ While you are not required to have one, a criminal attorney can advise you of your rights, help protect your interests and help you navigate through the court system in Lackawanna County. The faster you get a lawyer involved with your charges, the better your chances.

For more detailed information on this, click: Find a Lawyer

If you can’t afford an attorney, a Public Defender will be assigned to you. The Public Defender’s Office has access to investigators, crime scene and forensics experts as well as social case workers. You will be reassured to know that Public Defenders are licensed attorneys, members of the State Bar and are licensed to handle your case.

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

Lackawanna County court records are public record and are available upon request to anyone who requests them – not just the person who they pertain to. Court records include a court case file containing a docket sheet and each of the motions, documents, and evidence that have been filed in your case. You have the ability to access your court records using the Lackawanna County website, or by going to the Lackawanna County Clerk of Court.

A Clerk of Court is a member of the court who maintains court records. They also administer the oath during court cases, and also read the jury’s verdict. All records and documents from your court case are held at the Lackawanna County Clerk of Court.

Court fees and costs are the fees and charges from your case, which include filing fees, motion and claim fees, and court charges. If you are low income and have been assigned a Public Defender, you may get out of having to pay them.

A Magistrate is the type of judge that will preside over your case in court. Magistrate judges do a number of different things, like setting bail, issuing warrants, and acting as the presiding judge over first court appearances and detention hearings.

Your pre-sentencing report is put together with information about the arrestee’s background and as much detail about the defendant’s life and history, which the judge will review and take into consideration when decide your sentence. Information, details, and character witnesses will be solicited from the person on trial, his or her family, and in some circumstances the victim. Keep in mind you are allowed to ask to get a copy of your pre-sentencing report before you are sentenced, and go over it and correct any mistakes in it.

When you are convicted of a crime, you will then get sentenced. The judge will have several different options when sentencing you, ranging from community service, house arrest, and probation, to incarceration in jail or prison. Depending on the particulars of your trial, the severity of your crime, and any sentencing guidelines that they judge will use, you might get taken into custody, right there in court, or you might be given a date to report to jail to do your time.

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Want to find out if somebody you know is incarcerated, or has ever been locked up?

To do this, you will have to access the jail website and do an inmate search, and search by:

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

If you think that they are currently in jail, you can also call the jail confirm whether they’ve been arrested or not.

If you think you might have an outstanding warrant, you can find out by checking the arrest warrants inquiry on the website or call the court. This requires a first and last name. Or, you can just go the jail in person and inquire at the information desk. You should be clear that if there is a warrant for your arrest, you should be prepared to get taken into custody immediately.

If you have a first and last name, as well as their arrest date, contact the Lackawanna County jail, either by phone, in person, or look online. Records of arrests are public record and these records are available to anyone.

Civil processes are when someone has been served with papers, which can be warrants. You can access civil process orders by going to the Lackawanna County Sheriff’s office, on their website or by phone.

All people registered as sex offenders have to be registered and listed on the sex offender databases required by the area they live in. The people listed on these databases have been tried by jury and convicted in a court of law of a sex offense. You can access sex offenders on the internet, but remember that you will not be able to see the street address, but rather the block that they live on.

Court Records are public records and available to anyone. They include a case file that contains a docket and any of the documents and filings filed in your court case. You can access the court records on the website, or at the clerk’s office of the court in the jurisdiction where the case was filed.

Every state maintains records of a person’s criminal past. These online databases are linked together and you can track criminal histories from any other state. You can go to the courthouse and check in person or you can check online. It is helpful to know the county the crime was committed in, and in the event that the crime was in a different state, you may have to pay a fee for a more complete search.

A search of someone’s criminal history you are able to find out if a person has ever been arrested, charged or convicted for the following crimes:

• DUI.
• Drug crimes.
• Kidnapping.
• Sexual offenses including rape, assault.
• Violent crimes including assault, battery and murder.
• Theft, breaking and entering.

But, when you do a criminal records check, in most cases will not find out if that person has had any moving violations, like:

• Tickets for speeding.
• Lost their driver’s license or license revoked or suspended.
• Any accidents.
• Other moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

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

Have you ever searched for criminal records? How hard was it? Did you search online or did you call the courthouse? Did you get information that was correct? There are many reasons that people search for criminal backgrounds and records, and your story could make it easier for others.

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Most Wanted

On a Federal level, the FBI keeps a list of the Top Ten Most Wanted Criminals. In Lackawanna County, the Lackawanna County Sheriff’s Department has a list of most wanted criminals, too.

FBI Ten Most Wanted List


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

Just the thought of spending time in Lackawanna County Prison is no fun, eventually you will settle into the daily routine there. Expect a wake-up alarm each morning at 6:00am, and next you’ll have roll call. Then you will get breakfast. When you finish breakfast you will have to work in the work program or other activity that you are assigned. 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 Lackawanna County Prison, 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 Lackawanna County Prison 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 funds to Lackawanna County Prison inmates changes, so you should review the official website when you send money to an inmate there.


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 Lackawanna County Prison

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Lackawanna County Prison, 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 Lackawanna County Prison

Requirements:

• You have to be over the age of 21.
• You have to possess a High School Diploma or GED
• You have to be a US Citizen.
• You have to pass a Criminal, Credit and Driving History background check.
• You have to pass a drug test.
• You have to have a good level of fitness.
• You have to be in good health.
• You have to 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.

Click here to 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.

Click here to comment

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 been an inmate at Lackawanna County Prison? Do you know someone there? Have you ever visited a prisoner at Lackawanna County Prison?

If so, then you should write a review about it. Tell us about your experience because other people can learn what to expect.

Things you can put in your review:

• Conditions at the jail.
• Jail facility and layout
• Guards and staff
• Jail food and commissary
• Having Visitors
• The other inmates.
• Prisoner safety
• Gangs
• Prisoner programs and activities


Click here to write your review

Tell Your Story

Anyone who’s been in jail has a story about it. How’d you get locked up? Were you mistreated? How was life in jail? What about the other inmates? How has this experience impacted your life?

Click here to tell about all about it

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Did you meet some cool folks in jail? Do you want to find out how to get in touch with an inmate you met while you were incarcerated? Write your message below.

Send a message


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