State Correctional Institution – SCI Houtzdale

State Correctional Institution – SCI Houtzdale basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 814-378-1000

This facility is for adult inmates.

The inmates housed at SCI Houtzdale located at 209 Institution Dr in Houtzdale, PA are placed according to their custody level (determined by a number of factors including the past criminal history and the length of their sentence). There are ample educational and vocational training programs for all inmates, especially ones that show a willingness to learn new things that will prepare them for a better life when they are released. The mission is to promote and prepare the offender to leave in better shape than when they arrived, giving them the best chance to never come back and thus lower the state's recidivism rate.

SCI Houtzdale is a medium-security state prison that houses about 2,550 adult male inmates in open dormitories and multi-occupancy cells. Inmates can participate in the correctional industries work program in the processing and distribution of commissary orders for several State Correctional facilities.

Houtzdale State Correctional Institution offers vocational training in barbering, several construction disciplines, computer-aided drafting (CAD), warehousing, material handling, and custodial maintenance. Inmates can also receive an adult basic education and obtain a GED during their incarceration. Additional programs for inmates include, sex offender treatment, addiction treatment, and various self-help groups. Offenders are provided the necessary dental, medical and mental health treatment during their incarceration.

Groundbreaking occurred on March 20, 1994, as part of an administrative initiative to increase cell space and to ease overcrowding in state prisons. Construction was completed December 1995 and the official dedication of SCI Houtzdale was held January 5, 1996. Construction of two additional housing units began August 8, 1997, and was completed in October 1998. Construction of a 150-bed modular housing unit began in August 2010. This housing unit consists of two dormitory-style housing units with a dayroom in the center. The unit was opened in August 2011.

Number of acres inside the perimeter: 65
Number of acres outside the perimeter: 208
Total number of buildings: 30
Inmate Population: Click HERE for the current population report
Number of Employees: 576
Academic and Vocational Education:
Adult Basic Education
General Equivalency Diploma
Special Education
Barber School
Building Trades
Business Education
Residential/Commercial/Industrial Electrical Maintenance and Repair
Money Smart
International Computer Driving License
Computer Aided Drafting
Electronics/Computer Repair
Custodial Maintenance and Repair
Warehouse Operations/Material Handling
Certification Programs: Barbershop, Building Trades, Business Education, Computer Aided Drafting, Custodial Maintenance, Electricity, Electronics and Warehouse Operations.
Treatment Programs:
Courage to Change Therapeutic Community
Outpatient Treatment
Low Intensity Outpatient
Parole Violator Group
Dual Diagnosis Group
Special Needs Unit Addictions Issues
Self Help Groups
Sex Offender Program Therapeutic Community
Cognitive Behavioral Theory Groups
Correctional Industries:
In October 2006, SCI Houtzdale opened a Commissary Distribution Operation. The operation is managed by Pennsylvania Correctional Industries (PCI). The Commissary Distribution Operation at SCI Houtzdale processes and distributes inmate commissary orders for nine State Correctional Institutions. The operation employs an AM and PM shift for a total of 90 inmates at full production.

visitation Info

State Correctional Institution – SCI Houtzdale PA – Visitation

Visiting Hours – General Population

• Monday: 9:00 AM to 3:45 PM
• Tuesday: CLOSED
• Wednesday: CLOSED
• Thursday: 9:00 AM to 3:45 PM
• Friday: 9:00 AM to 3:45 PM
• Saturday: 9:00 AM to 3:45 PM
• Sunday: 9:00 AM to 3:45 PM

Visitors must arrive by 2:45 PM to visit.
Maximum Number of Visitors Per Inmate – 5 (excluding children)