SCI Mercer is a state correctional institution located in Findley Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania. It was initially established as a State Regional Correctional Facility (SRCF) on June 23, 1978, and it opened on July 5, 1978. The facility was designed to receive short-term male county offenders from 14 Northwestern Pennsylvania counties. Today, it houses adult male inmates.
The facility has undergone several changes over the years. In September 1978, it became a state correctional institution and was renamed SCI Mercer. The institution has a capacity of 1,516 inmates and employs more than 400 staff members. The facility offers a variety of programs and services to help inmates prepare for reentry into society, including vocational training, educational programs, and drug and alcohol treatment.
Despite its efforts to provide inmates with the tools they need to succeed upon release, SCI Mercer has faced criticism from some who argue that the prison system is broken and in need of reform. However, many others believe that the facility is doing the best it can with the resources it has and that it plays an important role in keeping the community safe.
| Security | Medium |
| Capacity | 1,516 |
| Physical Address | 801 Butler Pike Mercer, PA 16137 |
| Mailing Address | Smart Communications/PADOC Inmate Name/Inmate Number Institution PO Box 33028 St Petersburg, FL 33733 |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (724) 662-1837 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
Overview
State Correctional Institution (SCI) Mercer is a correctional facility located in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. It was initially established as a State Regional Correctional Facility on June 23, 1978. The facility is designed to house short-term male county offenders from 14 northwestern Pennsylvania counties. SCI Mercer is one of the 25 prison facilities operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.
Location
SCI Mercer is located in Findley Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania. The facility’s address is 801 Butler Pike, Mercer, PA 16137. It is situated on a 1,700-acre tract of land and is surrounded by farmland and open fields.
Facilities
SCI Mercer has the capacity to house 1,516 inmates. The facility has 12 housing units, including a special needs unit, a disciplinary unit, and a transitional housing unit. It also has a medical unit, a mental health unit, and a dental unit. The facility provides various educational and vocational programs to inmates, including adult basic education, GED preparation, vocational training, and college courses.
Inmate Population
As of June 14, 2023, SCI Mercer housed a total of 1,413 inmates. The facility employs over 400 staff members, including correctional officers, teachers, medical personnel, and administrative staff. The superintendent of SCI Mercer is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the facility and ensuring the safety and security of the inmates, staff, and visitors.
Programs
SCI Mercer offers a variety of programs for inmates that aim to help them acquire new skills and knowledge that can help them reintegrate into society after their release. These programs include academic education, vocational education, community work, and the CARE Canine Program.
Academic Education
Inmates at SCI Mercer have access to academic education programs that can help them earn their GED. The GED program is designed to prepare inmates for the GED test, which is a high school equivalency exam. The program covers subjects such as math, science, social studies, and language arts.
Vocational Education
SCI Mercer also offers vocational education programs that can help inmates acquire new skills that can be useful in finding employment after their release. These programs include automotive repair, building trades, business education, custodial maintenance, painting, and a barber manager program. Inmates can also earn NCCER certifications, ICDL computer certifications, and PA Auto Inspection Certificates.
Community Work Program
The Community Work Program (CWP) is a voluntary program that allows inmates to perform unskilled labor for governmental and non-profit public service agencies. Inmates who participate in the CWP can earn minimum wage and gain valuable work experience. The CWP includes tasks such as yard work, litter cleanup, washing/waxing fire trucks, and more.
CARE Canine Program
The CARE Canine Program is a program that allows inmates to train and care for dogs. Inmates who participate in the program learn how to train dogs to perform tasks such as retrieving objects, opening doors, and turning lights on and off. The program also helps inmates develop skills such as patience, responsibility, and empathy. The dogs trained in the program are often donated to organizations such as Stray Haven Animal Shelter or Corrections Adoptive Rescue Endeavor.
Overall, the programs offered at SCI Mercer aim to provide inmates with the tools they need to successfully reintegrate into society after their release. By offering academic and vocational education programs, as well as opportunities to perform community work and care for animals, SCI Mercer is helping inmates develop new skills and gain valuable experience that can help them lead productive lives after their release.
Visitation
Visitation is an important part of maintaining relationships with incarcerated loved ones. SCI Mercer, a Level 2-3 Facility in Pennsylvania, offers visitation for inmates in accordance with Pennsylvania Department of Corrections policies. Visitors are encouraged to review the detailed Visitor Guide prior to their visit to ensure they are aware of all visitation rules and regulations.
Visiting Hours
Visiting hours at SCI Mercer vary based on the housing unit of the inmate. Visitors should check the visiting schedule for the specific unit they wish to visit. Generally, visits occur on Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays. Visitors must arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the visitation session.
Physical Address
SCI Mercer is located at 801 Butler Pike, Mercer, PA 16137. Visitors should use this address when planning their visit.
Inmate Mailing Address
Inmates at SCI Mercer can receive mail at the following address:
- Smart Communications/PADOC
- Inmate Name/Inmate Number
- Institution
- PO Box 33028
- St Petersburg, FL 33733
JPay
JPay is a service that allows friends and family members to send electronic messages, photos, and videos to inmates. In order to use JPay, visitors must create an account and purchase credits. Inmates can access their JPay messages through a kiosk in their housing unit.
Cash
Visitors are not allowed to bring cash into SCI Mercer. However, visitors can deposit money into an inmate’s account through the JPay system.
Telephone
Inmates at SCI Mercer have access to telephones in their housing units. They can make collect calls to approved phone numbers.
Visitation Schedule
Visitation schedules at SCI Mercer are subject to change. Visitors should check the SCI Mercer website for the most up-to-date information.
Overall, SCI Mercer strives to provide a safe and secure environment for inmates and visitors. Corrections officers are on duty at all times to ensure the safety of everyone in the facility. Inmates at SCI Mercer are held to high standards and the facility is accredited by the American Correctional Association. Inmate records are kept confidential and visitors are required to follow all rules and regulations to ensure the integrity of the institution.