The York County Prison is the county jail serving York County, Pennsylvania, located at 3400 Concord Road in York, PA 17402-9007. With a capacity of approximately 2,522 beds, it is one of the larger county correctional facilities in the state. York County Prison is notable for its long history of housing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees under contract with the federal government, as well as local pretrial detainees and individuals serving shorter sentences. If you have a loved one held here — whether on local charges or in ICE custody — this guide explains how to find them, stay connected, and support them.
About York County Prison
York County Prison serves York County in south-central Pennsylvania, near the Maryland border. For many years it has held two distinct populations: people arrested on local (county) criminal charges, and immigration detainees held for ICE while their cases proceed through the federal immigration courts. This dual role makes the facility's procedures somewhat more complex than a typical county jail, since ICE detainees are subject to federal immigration processes rather than the criminal court system.
The facility's main phone number is 717-840-7580, and the fax is 717-840-7204. Facility information is available through the York County website at yorkcountypa.gov. The records-on-file figure associated with this listing reflects historical booking records accumulated over time, not the current population.
Important note for families of ICE detainees: If your loved one is in immigration detention, their case is handled through the federal immigration system, not Pennsylvania criminal courts. There is no "bail" in the criminal sense; instead, an immigration judge may set an immigration bond. See the bond section below for details.
How to Find an Inmate or Detainee at York County Prison
For local/county inmates, you can search through the online Inmate Roster available on the York County website, call the facility at 717-840-7580, or search PrisonAssist.com for historical booking records. Have the person's full legal name and date of birth ready.
For ICE detainees, use the federal ICE Online Detainee Locator System at locator.ice.gov. You can search by the detainee's A-Number (Alien Registration Number) and country of birth, or by name, country of birth, and date of birth. This is the authoritative tool for locating someone in immigration detention, as ICE may transfer detainees between facilities.
New bookings or detentions can take time to appear in either system, so check again later or call if a name doesn't come up immediately.
Visiting Someone at York County Prison
Visitation at York County Prison requires pre-approval and online scheduling:
- Visitors must be pre-approved and on an active visiting list provided by the inmate or detainee.
- Visitors must log onto the visitation scheduling app to schedule a visit.
- Visits may be scheduled up to 7 days in advance, but no later than 24 hours before the proposed visit.
- Visitation hours are generally Monday–Friday 7:30 AM–9:00 PM and Saturday–Sunday 7:30 AM–2:30 PM.
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID, dress conservatively per the facility's dress code, and ensure minors are accompanied by an approved adult. ICE detainees may have different visiting rules than county inmates, so confirm the specific procedures for your loved one's status by calling 717-840-7580. Video visitation may also be available — check the facility's scheduling app for options.
Sending Mail to York County Prison
To send mail to a detainee or inmate at York County Prison, address it as follows:
[Inmate/Detainee Full Name], [Inmate ID or A-Number]
3400 Concord Road
York, PA 17402-9007
For ICE detainees, include the A-Number (Alien Registration Number) for accurate delivery. All incoming mail is inspected for contraband, and no packages are permitted without prior approval from the facility administration. Include your full return address on every item. Prohibited items include cash, stamps, stickers, glitter, and anything that could carry drugs. Legal mail (including correspondence from immigration attorneys) is handled separately and must be clearly marked. PrisonAssist.com offers a letter service that formats and mails correspondence to meet facility requirements.
Phone Calls from York County Prison
York County Prison uses Global Tel Link (GTL) / ViaPath (ConnectNetwork) for telephone services. Inmates and detainees can call people who are on their approved members list between 7:00 AM and 7:30 PM. The cost of the call is borne by the recipient, and calls can last up to 30 minutes. To receive calls:
- Create an account at connectnetwork.com.
- Fund your account and register your phone number.
- Add yourself to the inmate's/detainee's approved members list.
- All calls except confidential legal calls are recorded and monitored.
For ICE detainees, maintaining phone contact with both family and an immigration attorney is critical, as immigration cases move quickly and communication is essential. PrisonAssist.com can help set up lower-cost calling options.
Sending Money and Commissary to York County Prison
Money deposited into an inmate's or detainee's account funds commissary purchases and communications. Commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. Deposit options include:
- Online: Through the approved deposit vendor (ConnectNetwork/ViaPath or Access Corrections).
- By phone: Through the deposit vendor's phone line.
- Lobby kiosk: At the facility.
You'll need the inmate's or detainee's name and ID/A-Number for any deposit. Call 717-840-7580 to confirm the current approved deposit vendor and methods. Keep your receipts.
Bail and Immigration Bond at York County Prison
The process differs significantly depending on whether your loved one is held on county criminal charges or in ICE custody:
County Criminal Charges
For local charges, bail is set at a preliminary arraignment before a magisterial district judge. You can pay the full bail directly or use a licensed Pennsylvania bondsman (typically ~10% non-refundable premium). Bail details appear on the county inmate roster.
ICE Immigration Bond
For ICE detainees, there is no criminal bail. Instead, an immigration judge may grant an immigration bond if the detainee is eligible (not all detainees are eligible for bond). Immigration bonds are paid to ICE — historically in full, not through a percentage-based bondsman, though some immigration bond companies exist. The minimum immigration bond is typically $1,500, but the amount is often much higher. An immigration attorney can request a bond hearing and argue for a lower bond. Paying an immigration bond requires specific procedures through ICE; consult an immigration attorney before attempting to post bond.
Because immigration cases are complex and high-stakes, families of ICE detainees should prioritize securing a qualified immigration attorney. Free or low-cost legal resources may be available through immigrant-rights organizations.
Programs and Services at the Facility
York County Prison offers programming for its county population, including:
- Medical and Mental Health Services: On-site medical care and mental health screening.
- Substance Abuse Treatment: Programs addressing addiction.
- Educational Programming: GED preparation and adult literacy instruction.
- Reentry Services: Connections to housing, employment, and treatment resources upon release for county inmates.
- Faith-Based Programming: Chaplaincy and volunteer-led faith programs.
ICE detainees have access to certain services, but their primary focus is typically on their immigration case rather than long-term programming, since detention is meant to be temporary pending resolution of the immigration matter.
Understanding York County's Dual Role
York County Prison's role as both a county jail and an ICE detention facility makes it unusual. For county inmates, the Pennsylvania two-tier system applies: sentences of two years or more result in transfer to a Pennsylvania state prison (track via cor.pa.gov). For ICE detainees, the federal immigration system governs — detainees may be released on bond, deported, granted relief, or transferred to other ICE facilities. Families navigating either system should understand which set of rules applies to their loved one and seek the appropriate legal help (a criminal defense attorney or public defender for county charges; an immigration attorney for ICE cases).
Special Considerations for Families of ICE Detainees
Families of immigration detainees at York County Prison face a uniquely complex and time-sensitive situation. Unlike criminal cases, immigration detention is civil, and the rules are entirely different. A few critical points:
- Get an immigration attorney immediately. Immigration law is complex and the stakes — potentially deportation — are extremely high. Detainees are not provided free government attorneys as in criminal cases, so securing qualified representation (or free/low-cost counsel through nonprofits) is the single most important step.
- Know the A-Number. The Alien Registration Number (A-Number) is the key identifier for locating the detainee, sending mail, and tracking the case. Keep it accessible.
- Track the case through immigration court (EOIR). You can check hearing dates and case status through the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) automated case information system by phone or online using the A-Number.
- Understand transfer risk. ICE can transfer detainees between facilities, sometimes across state lines, often with little notice. Use the ICE Detainee Locator regularly to confirm location.
Immigrant-rights organizations and legal aid groups in Pennsylvania may offer free or low-cost help, know-your-rights resources, and accompaniment to hearings. Connecting with these organizations early can make a significant difference.
Supporting Any Loved One at York County Prison
Whether your loved one is in county custody or ICE detention, regular communication is vital. Maintain phone contact through ConnectNetwork (remembering inmates can only call approved members on their list during set hours), send mail with the correct ID or A-Number, and keep careful records of all case information. For county inmates, the York County Public Defender represents those who cannot afford an attorney. For all detainees, staying organized and engaged — and seeking the right kind of legal help for the specific situation — gives your loved one the strongest possible support.
Know-Your-Rights Resources and Long-Term Planning
For families of both county inmates and ICE detainees at York County Prison, knowledge is power. For immigration detainees especially, understanding rights and options is critical given the high stakes. Many immigrant-rights and legal aid organizations offer free "know your rights" materials, hotlines, and, in some cases, legal representation or referrals. Detainees have the right to speak with an attorney, to receive visits from legal representatives, and to communicate with their consulate. For county inmates, the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network and the York County Public Defender provide legal resources. In both cases, long-term planning matters: for county cases, plan for release conditions, reentry, and any required treatment; for immigration cases, work with an attorney on the available forms of relief, the bond process, and contingency plans. Keeping a single organized file with the inmate ID or A-Number, attorney contact information, court or hearing dates, and case status will help you navigate what can be a confusing and stressful system. Staying calm, organized, and connected to the right legal help is the best support you can offer.
Support Resources for Families
- York County Prison: 717-840-7580 | Fax: 717-840-7204
- County Inmate Roster: yorkcountypa.gov/477/Prison
- ICE Detainee Locator: locator.ice.gov
- Phone (GTL/ViaPath): connectnetwork.com
- Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network: palegalaid.net
- PrisonAssist.com: Inmate search, letter service, care packages, phone help
Inmate service providers at York County PA Prison (ICE)
Like most US jails and prisons, York County PA Prison (ICE) relies on private companies for phone calls, video visits, money transfers, and care packages, each with its own fees and sign-up steps. Nationwide the most common providers are Securus and ViaPath (GTL) for calls and video, JPay and Access Corrections for sending money, and Access Securepak for care packages.
Not sure which company serves York County PA Prison (ICE)? Our inmate service provider directory explains how each one works, what it charges, and how to set up an account before you pay.