Philadelphia Inmate Population Records
Philadelphia operates its own jail system separate from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. The Philadelphia Department of Prisons manages multiple facilities that hold pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates within the city. You can search the Philadelphia inmate population online using the city inmate locator, which is available around the clock at no charge. This page explains how to find inmates in Philadelphia, what records are available, and where to go for more information.
Philadelphia Quick Facts
Philadelphia Department of Prisons
Philadelphia is a consolidated city-county, meaning it has one government that handles both city and county functions. The Philadelphia Department of Prisons runs the local jail system independent of the state corrections system. The Philadelphia Department of Prisons maintains several facilities, each serving a different part of the inmate population. Arrests made by Philadelphia police typically bring individuals first to a police district, then to processing before a commitment to one of the city jails.
The main facilities in the Philadelphia inmate population system include Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility (CFCF), which handles intake for the majority of adults in custody. The Detention Center holds individuals awaiting trial. Phoenix Correctional Center serves those in work release programs. Riverside Correctional Facility is the facility for female inmates in Philadelphia. Each location houses a distinct portion of the city's inmate population at any given time.
State-sentenced inmates from Philadelphia are transferred to facilities run by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections rather than staying in city jails. The PA DOC manages over 36,000 inmates daily across 24 State Correctional Institutions. If you are looking for someone who received a state sentence, they will not appear in the Philadelphia city locator.
Note: The Philadelphia Department of Prisons and the Pennsylvania DOC are separate systems. Always check both locators if you are unsure where someone is held.
How to Find Philadelphia Inmates
The city provides a free online tool to search the Philadelphia inmate population. You can search by name or by PPN, which stands for Philadelphia Prison Number. The Philadelphia Inmate Locator shows current inmates only. It displays the facility where the person is held, their housing unit, commitment date, bail information, next court date, and charge details. No account is needed, and the tool works on phones and tablets as well as computers.
The state system at pa.gov covers inmates sentenced to state prison, not those held in Philadelphia city jails. Use the PADOC Inmate Locator if you believe someone is in a state facility. For parolees, the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole at pbpp.pa.gov tracks individuals on parole from state sentences. You can also search court cases connected to any Philadelphia inmate through the UJS Portal.
The PADOC Inmate Locator at cor.pa.gov is the tool to use when searching for Philadelphia residents held in state correctional institutions across Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia Court and Arrest Records
Philadelphia has its own municipal court system at courts.phila.gov. The Philadelphia Municipal Court handles preliminary matters and misdemeanor cases. The Court of Common Pleas handles felony trials. Both courts maintain dockets that are searchable online. Court records include case filings, hearing dates, charges, and dispositions, all of which connect to the inmate population in Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia Police Department headquartered at 750 Race Street handles arrest records. You can request police reports and incident documentation through the Philadelphia Police Department records unit. The Philadelphia Right-to-Know office at phila.gov processes formal records requests for city records including prison records and police records. Standard copy fees apply.
The official Pennsylvania inmate and parolee locator at pa.gov covers state-sentenced individuals, including those originally from Philadelphia who were transferred to state correctional institutions.
Note: Criminal history records for Pennsylvania residents are governed by the Criminal History Record Information Act under 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91. Requests for background checks through the state go through the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History system at epatch.pa.gov.
Visiting Philadelphia Inmates
Each Philadelphia jail facility sets its own visiting schedule. Rules can change, so check with the specific facility before going. The Philadelphia Department of Prisons website lists current visitation hours and procedures. In general, visitors must show a valid photo ID and be on the approved list for the inmate. Children may visit with a supervising adult.
Mail and telephone services are available at all Philadelphia facilities. Inmates may send and receive mail subject to inspection. Phone calls go through a contracted provider with rates set by that company. Commissary access lets inmates purchase approved items. Medical and mental health care are provided on site at Philadelphia jails. Educational programs and reentry services are also offered to help people prepare for release from the Philadelphia inmate population system.
The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections at cor.pa.gov manages state-level inmate records that complement the Philadelphia city system for those who have been transferred to a state correctional institution.
Requesting Philadelphia Inmate Records
Formal records requests in Philadelphia go through the city Right-to-Know office. You can submit a request online at phila.gov. Standard copies cost $0.25 per page. The city must respond within five business days. If your request is denied, you can appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov. Records requests can cover police records, prison records, and other city-held documents related to the Philadelphia inmate population.
The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law under 65 P.S. sections 67.101 through 67.3104 governs access to public records across the state. Philadelphia follows these state rules while also operating its own city-level process. If you need historical inmate data or records no longer available online, a written Right-to-Know request is the proper route.
Note: Redactions may apply to certain prison records in Philadelphia, particularly those involving ongoing investigations or personal identifying information protected by state law.
Philadelphia County Inmate Records
Philadelphia is a consolidated city-county, so the city and county share the same jail system and records. For a broader view of the Philadelphia County inmate population including county-level resources, facility details, and related records, visit the Philadelphia County page.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Residents of nearby cities use different local jail systems and locators. Select a city below to learn about inmate population records in that area.