Berks County Jail

Berks County Jail Information

The Berks County Jail is a 998 bed jail in the city of Leesport, Berks County, Pennsylvania.

This page provides information on how to search for an inmate in the official jail roster, or by calling the facility at 610-208-4800, directions to the facility, and inmate services such as the visitation schedule and policies, funding an inmate's account, mailing them a letter, receiving phone calls from an inmate, voicemail, emailing and texting, tablet rentals, bail bond instructions, and commissary purchases.

Phone: 610-208-4800

Physical Address:
1287 County Welfare Road
Leesport, PA 19533

Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & BCJS# (call 610-208-4800 for this)
Berks County Jail Pennsylvania (note: please do not abbreviate the name)
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131

Mailing Address (legal mail or subscriptions):
Inmate's Full Name & BCJS# (call 610-208-4800 for this)
Berks County Jail
1287 County Welfare Road
Leesport, PA 19533

Other Jails and Prisons

How Do You Find Someone in the Berks County Jail?

To search for an inmate in the Berks County Jail, review their criminal charges, the amount of their bond, when they can get visits, or even view their mugshot, go to the Official Jail Inmate Roster, or call the jail at 610-208-4800 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up an offender's Criminal Court Case online in Berks County or any other county in Pennsylvania.

Berks County Jail Inmate Search

The Berks County Jail maintains an average of 998 offenders in custody on any given day. The Berks County Jail has a monthly turnover of 40% of their inmate population, another 30% turnover every 90 days, another 20% every six months, and approximately 10% stay incarcerated between six and twelve months. Every year Berks County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 21,240 offenders.

The following charts of Berks County inmate population demographics are updated daily. The information shown is for today. For research purposes we have broken down the inmates by sex, age, ethnicity, and criminal charges.

The information is compiled from the Berks County Corrections Department, the state of Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, as well as the United States Department of Justice and Census Bureau records. It represents every person in custody in Berks County.

For complete information on how to get directions, bond, visit, mail, send and receive email and texts, receive phone calls, and send money or commissary to an inmate, find arrest information for Berks County and other counties surrounding this one, scroll down this page. We have a section for each.

We also provide photos of the jail that we have collected over the years.

For a collection of over 20 additional graphs and charts of the demographic and criminal arrest information of the inmates in Berks County and Pennsylvania state prisons, click the button below.
Berks County INMATE DEMOGRAPHICS

Berks County Inmate Race & Ethnicity - 3/29/2024

Race Inmates % Total
White 329 40.72%
Black 77 9.53%
Hispanic or Latino 302 37.38%
American Indian/Native Alaskan 22 2.72%
Asian 33 4.08%
Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian 22 2.72%
Other 23 2.85%
Total 808 100.0%
Demographic, Crime and Inmate data is compiled from public reports provided by the Berks County Sheriff’s Department, Pennsylvania Corrections, United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Census Bureau.

Berks County Inmate Criminal Charges - 3/29/2024

(many inmates have multiple charges)

Charge Inmates % Total
Felony (3rd Degree) 133 16.46%
Felony (2rd Degree) 180 22.28%
Felony (1st Degree) 90 11.14%
State Jail Felony 63 7.80%
Felony (Uncategorized) 241 29.83%
Misdemeanor (Class A) 101 12.50%
Misdemeanor (Class C) 0 0.00%
Holds 0 0.00%
Uncategorized 0 0.00%
Demographic, Crime and Inmate data is compiled from public reports provided by the Berks County Sheriff’s Department, Pennsylvania Corrections, United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Census Bureau.

Berks County Inmate Sex - 3/29/2024

Sex Inmates % Total
Male 718 88.86%
Female 90 11.14%
Total 808 100.0%
Demographic, Crime and Inmate data is compiled from public reports provided by the Berks County Sheriff’s Department, Pennsylvania Corrections, United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Census Bureau.

Berks County Inmate Age - 3/29/2024

Age Inmates % Total
Under 18 4 0.50%
18-20 34 4.21%
21-24 71 8.79%
25-30 190 23.51%
31-35 106 13.12%
36-40 161 19.93%
41-45 69 8.54%
46-50 63 7.80%
51-55 51 6.31%
56-60 40 4.95%
61-65 14 1.73%
66-75 5 0.62%
76-85 0 0.00%
Total 808 100.0%
Demographic, Crime and Inmate data is compiled from public reports provided by the Berks County Sheriff’s Department, Pennsylvania Corrections, United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Census Bureau.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
About the Berks County Jail
BCJS, or the Berks County Jail System is the program that is responsible for the Berks County Jail, and is located on County Welfare Road in Leesport, PA. This facility has a strong website with easy to locate extensions for each section of the jail, and full transparency of all policies and regulations that must be followed. Using the online inmate locater at vinelink.com, any inmate can be searched and their location and status will be provided, it also allows for victims, family, and law enforcement to set up alerts for any inmate they have involvement with so they are aware of any transfers or releases for their own safety. Inmate services cover several needs including the medical needs, commissary for purchasing personal hygiene items and writing materials, education is provided to improve their employability and life skills, religious supports are provided for religious inmates, mail can be both sent and received by inmates via the postal system with a full return address and addressed to the inmate at the jail, addictions counselling and treatment is available, and inmates are provided access to phone calls to friends and families and visits from them. ConnectNetwork.com allows people to add funds to an inmate’s accounts for their outgoing phone calls, which are available during business hours of 6am-2pm. All visits are now via a video system which must be scheduled before 3pm the day before, and inmates are allowed 3 visits of 30 minutes each week. To book a visit the visitor must call the jail at 610-208-4800 and choose option 3 for visitation, then speak to the receptionist who is on staff from 8:30am until 3pm weekdays. Visits will be scheduled between the hours of 9am and 8pm.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
Recent Bookings & Arrests

How do I find out if someone has been arrested and booked into the Berks County Jail?

To find out if someone you know has been recently arrested and booked into the Berks County Jail, call the jail’s booking line at 610-208-4800.

There may be an automated method of looking them up by their name over the phone, or you may be directed to speak to someone at the jail. Sometimes the jail staff may ask you the offender’s date of birth to ensure privacy of the offender’s status.

Keep in mind that after an arrest, the information on an offender may not be publicly available for several hours.

If you don’t want to check up on an offender by calling the jail, you can also try looking up people recently booked online.

Berks County Jail Booking Roster

What happens during booking in Berks County?

After being arrested and taken into custody, and after being read their Miranda Rights, an offender will next be transported to the local police or department or the Sheriff’s Department in Berks County for booking.

Booking is very involved and requires multiple steps in the process, however, keep in mind that most attorneys will advise that an offender remain silent and not offer any additional information about the crime they have been arrested for because anything they do say may be recorded and may very well be used against them in court.

What is the booking process like at the Berks County Jail?

Booking includes having their photo (mugshot) and fingerprints taken, as well as being asked a lot of questions about their personal history and state of mind. If it’s a serious felony, their DNA may also be taken. They will also be checked for warrants in Berks County and other Pennsylvania and USA jurisdictions.

If the offender was arrested for a DUI offense, and has refused a breathalyzer test, they may also be forced to have blood drawn by a doctor or nurse.

It is also very likely that the offender will undergo a humiliating full body search while in the nude. This includes bending over, spreading their cheeks in the direction of an officer, and coughing. They will also be walked through a metal detector or x-ray machine, like those used at an airport.

What kind of questions are asked during booking?

The arresting jurisdiction will ask about gang affiliations, tattoos, medical conditions, prescribed medication they are taking, recreational drugs they are on or addicted to, allergies, if they are suicidal, and other relevant information that will help with determining their cell assignment and special needs.

What happens to an offender’s personal property during booking?

During the arrest and booking process an offender will also have all their personal property confiscated and held for either their release from jail, or with the offender’s approval, released to a friend or family member.

Personal property includes the clothing they are wearing, money, wallets, purses, cell phones, jewelry, body rings, earrings, watches, and even glasses if they are deemed a security risk. If they are allowed to keep their shoes or sneakers, the laces are removed.

What happens after booking?

At this point the offender will be allowed to make a free phone call to a person of their choice to notify them of their arrest, and/or arrange a bond or bail for their release.

If the offender is being detained and housed while awaiting arraignment, the Berks County Jail will provide a jail garment and slip-on shoes, a blanket, sheets, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a towel.

Often, before they are dressed in the jail outfit and brought to their housing location, they will be forced to take a shower and undergo a disinfectant treatment for body and hair lice, scabies or other pests that may be residing on their person.

How long does the Berks County Jail Booking process take?

Booking can take anywhere from an hour to 24 hours or more. It all depends on the number of people that are awaiting processing, the number of staff on duty at the time, and the behavior of the offender.

If the offender is heavily intoxicated and/or violent, the Booking Officer may decide to stick the offender in a holding cell for several hours until they become more manageable.

⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
Directions / Map to the Berks County Jail
Inmate Bail and Bonding

The Berks County Sheriff recommends that you use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Berks County.

  • You can pay a cash bond yourself, or use your home in Berks County, or in some cases the state of Pennsylvania, but the benefit of using a bail bond agent is that they take responsibility for making sure the inmate shows up for court in Berks County, and if they don't, then they take the financial responsibility.
  • The typical fee for a bond will be between 10-20% of the bail amount; usually 15%.  So if an offender has a bail of $10,000.00, their bond will be $1500.00.

Call 610-208-4800 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Berks County inmate locator.

Berks County Bail Bond Information

Because Berks County and Pennsylvania can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the Berks County Jail at 610-208-4800, or the court in the jurisdiction (i.e. Municipal Court, District Court, etc.) where the offender was charged, and do this right after an arrestee has been booked. 

Ask the staff at the Berks County Jail or the Berks County Court Clerk these specific questions:

  1. Is the defendant eligible for bail or a bond?
  2. How much will the bail or bond be, and what are the additional fees?
  3. Where do I go to pay it?
  4. Are there any days or times of the day or night when I cannot post bail?
  5. What types of payment are allowed? Cash? Money order? Credit card? What types of credit cards? Property or other collateral? Surety bonds?
  6. Do I have to use a bail or bond agent?

If you feel the bail is too high and you wish to get it reduced, contact a lawyer or the defendant's public defender and get them to look into what they can do to get a bail reduction. The sooner you get working on this the quicker you will get your loved one released. 

This entire process will go smoother and faster with a criminal attorney or bail agent handling it for you.

Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
Inmate Visitation

How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Berks County Jail? What is the Schedule?

Berks County Jail ON-SITE (at the jail) VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE
1287 County Welfare Road
Leesport, PA 19533

  • To schedule a visit, call (610) 208-4800 select option 3 for "visitation" and speak with a receptionist between the hours of 8:30am-3:00pm Monday – Friday.
  • If two individuals wish to visit at the same time, one of the individuals must schedule both parties. You will need to give the name of the inmate you wish to visit and provide the first and last name of all visitors. You will also be assigned a parking space number, which you must use the day of your visit.
  • Each inmate will be permitted three (3) thirty (30) minute visits per calendar month. Inmates will be permitted three (3) visitors at each visit. 
  • Inmates are permitted two (2) visitors at each visit.  Both visitors must be scheduled and MUST be on the inmate’s approved visitation list- there are no exceptions to this rule. 
  • Visitors must arrive at the jail no more than 15 minutes prior to their scheduled visit time. 
  • Expect to wear a mask, so bring one.
  • Visitors over the age of 18 are required to have a valid picture identification card with a current address. Visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and must be the child, stepchild, sibling, or grandchild of the inmate they are visiting.
  • On-site Visits are free.
  • Visits are 30 minutes.
  • Visitation schedule subject to change.
DAY TIME
SUNDAY    -
MONDAY 9:00 AM - 4:00PM
TUESDAY 9:00 AM - 4:00PM
WEDNESDAY 9:00 AM - 4:00PM
THURSDAY 9:00 AM - 4:00PM
FRIDAY 9:00 AM - 4:00PM
SATURDAY   - 

Berks County Jail REMOTE (at home) VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE

  • All visits must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
  • Visitation Schedule subject to change.
DAY TIME
SUNDAY 9:00 AM - 8:30PM
MONDAY 9:00 AM - 8:30PM
TUESDAY 9:00 AM - 8:30PM
WEDNESDAY 9:00 AM - 8:30PM
THURSDAY 9:00 AM - 8:30PM
FRIDAY 9:00 AM - 8:30PM
SATURDAY 9:00 AM - 8:30PM

Berks County Jail uses GettingOut for their Remote Video Visitation and/or Visit Scheduling. 

There are three ways to remotely visit your inmate:

1.  Using the GettingOut/GTL Kiosk at the jail.
2. Using your computer from home.
3. Using your phone on the GettingOut or GTL apps.

How it Works with GettingOut
1.  Register an account.
2. Select Berks County Jail
3. Choose either an INMATE ACCOUNT or FRIENDS & FAMILY ACCOUNT.   

  • **NOTE** Friends and Family must have funds in their "Friends & Family Account" to respond to inmate messages. 
  • If you deposit money online in the INMATE ACCOUNT, than they have the freedom to spend the money on visits or phone calls to anyone, or any other communications services available at Berks County Jail.
  • With the FRIENDS & FAMILY ACCOUNT, you control all communication services such as phone calls, video visits and messaging. Your inmate can only call the phone number you want.

4. You will then receive prompts to validate both your identity and phone number .
5. Again, choose your inmate's facility, then type their name and select your inmate.

GettingOut will then guide you through the steps needed to arrange your remote visit.

Customer Service for GettingOut
If you have any questions, you can call them at 866-516-0115.
GettingOut online contact form
Frequently Asked Questions
The GettingOut App is available on Google Play and Apple Store.

How Do You Visit an Inmate in Berks County Jail?

To visit an inmate in Berks County, whether by video or in person 'at the jail', follow these steps:

Other than 'at the jail' visits between you and your inmate, which is explained and outlined in detail on our Visit Inmate Page, Berks County remote video inmate visitation can be done using the services of GettingOut

There are three ways to remotely visit your inmate in Berks County Jail:
1.  Using the GettingOut Kiosk at the jail.
2. Using your computer from home.
3. Using your phone on the GettingOut apps.

To remotely visit an inmate in Berks County follow these steps:
1.  Start by confirming that Berks County Jail's Video Visitation is working correctly by looking up Berks County here.

2.  The next step is to create an account here for GettingOut.
3. Then add funds to your account.
4. Last, select Berks County Jail, and then the inmate you wish to communicate with.

Other Berks County Services provided by GettingOut:
 - Phone Calls & Voicemail 
 - Email, Photo & Video Sharing
-  Inmate Tablet Rental
-  Deposits

Customer Service
If you have any questions about the Berks County Jail Visitation Services you can call them at 866-516-0115.
Frequently Asked Questions

* All the information you need to have complete knowledge about inmate visitation; policies, rules, fees, schedules, tips, dress codes, and children, lawyers and clergy visitation in Berks County, can be found on our Visit Inmate Page.

Berks County Jail Phone: 610-208-4800

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Berks County Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 610-208-4800 for further assistance.

Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
Remote Video Visitation

Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Berks County Jail?

Berks County Jail REMOTE (at home) VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE

  • All visits must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
  • Visitation Schedule subject to change.
DAY TIME
SUNDAY 9:00 AM - 8:30PM
MONDAY 9:00 AM - 8:30PM
TUESDAY 9:00 AM - 8:30PM
WEDNESDAY 9:00 AM - 8:30PM
THURSDAY 9:00 AM - 8:30PM
FRIDAY 9:00 AM - 8:30PM
SATURDAY 9:00 AM - 8:30PM

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Berks County Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 610-208-4800 for further assistance.

Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
Inmate Money Accounts

How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Berks County Jail?

There are three options for putting money on an inmate's books:



Option 1 - Dropping Money at the Jail
Bring money to the jail in person. 
You will use a self-serve kiosk in the lobbies that accepts cash, debit or credit cards.



Option 2 - Deposit Inmate Money Online



Option 3 - Make an Inmate Deposit over the Phone by calling 866-516-0115



 

Depositing Money for Communicating with an Inmate

How to Make a Deposit for Phone, Email or Visitation using GettingOut.com

Berks County Jail uses GettingOut for some or all of its communication services with an inmate.

If you want to deposit money using this company for your use or your inmate's account, there are four ways to do it:

  • Online - They accept all major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
  • At the Berks County Jail using the kiosk in the jail lobby - (cash, debit or credit card) NOTE - Berks County Jail may require identity verification so bring your driver’s license or some other form of ID.
  • By phone by calling 866-516-0115 - They have bi-lingual operators are standing by 24 hours 7 days a week to assist you with your deposit. Major credit cards accepted are Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
  • By using their app, either Android or iphone. - All credit cards mentioned above are accepted.

For all the information you need to know, including tips, guidelines and warnings about depositing money in a Berks County Jail inmate's account for communication services, check out our Send Money page.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Berks County Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 610-208-4800 for further assistance.

Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
Inmate Phone Contact

How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Berks County Jail?

How Do Inmates in Berks County Jail Make or Receive Phone Calls?

To receive phone calls from inmates in Berks County, or to assist them in making phone calls to other people, follow these steps:

1.  Start by confirming that Berks County Jail has the phone service you need to communicate with your inmate by the facility lookup here.
2. In the meantime, you can create an account here for GettingOut.
3. Then add funds to your account. This account can be controlled by just you, or by both you and your inmate.
4. Last, select Berks County Jail, and then the inmate you wish to communicate with.

Berks County Services that are provided by GettingOut, a GTL company:
 - Phone Calls & Voicemail 
 - Video Visits (from home or jail lobby)
 - Email & Photo Sharing
 - Tablet Rental
 - Deposits


Phone & Voicemail Fees

1.  GettingOut charges $0.25 per minute for all phone calls, prepaid or collect, within Pennsylvania.
2. Prepaid calls between Pennsylvania and other states costs $0.21 per minute. International calls are $0.95 per minute.
3. There is a fee of $3.00 every time you add money to your account online, and it costs $5.95 if you add funds over the phone with a live agent.
4. You can also leave an inmate a short voice message for a flat fee of $1.25.

Note: Rates are subject to change.

Types of Phone Calls
Collect Calls
Collect calls allow you to accept and pay for calls to your land line (only) phone account. This means that if you accept your call from your inmate, all the charges for that call will then be billed to your land line phone account and will show up and be listed on your next local phone bill. Additional fees, costs, restrictions may apply.

Prepaid calls (Direct Calls)
With Prepaid Calls you can set up your account so that the inmate can only call you and/or you can just deposit money in their account and they can purchase prepaid phone cards through their commissary and call whoever they choose, provided the Berks County Jail approves of the phone number.

Quick Connect
Quick connect is an alternative to collect calls. It allows you to quickly pay for a phone call with your credit card.  When your inmate calls you, follow the instructions from the automated voice system to pay for that one phone call, directly billed to your card.

Customer Service
If you have any questions about the Berks County Jail GettingOut phone services, you can call them at 866-516-0115.

* All the information you need to understand making and receiving phone calls with inmates in Berks County, can be found on our Inmate Phone Page.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Berks County Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 610-208-4800 for further assistance.

Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
Mailing an Inmate

How do I Mail an Inmate in the Berks County Jail, and what can I send them?

Berks County Jail Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
The Berks County Jail allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature. It is best to only use blue or black ink. Always include your name and return address.

Envelopes
The Berks County Jail also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates. It is best to only use blue or black ink.

Postcards and envelopes MUST HAVE the sender's full name and return address on the envelope. 

Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's Full Name & BCJS# (call 610-208-4800 for this)
Berks County Jail Pennsylvania (note: please do not abbreviate the name)
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131



Legal Mail

Send all legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & BCJS# (call 610-208-4800 for this)
Berks County Jail
1287 County Welfare Road
Leesport, PA 19533



Newspapers
Local or national newspapers may also be mailed to the inmate as long as they are mailed directly from the newspaper publisher.

Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.

Books
The Berks County Jail allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as AmazonBarnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address above.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Berks County Jail standards will be disposed of. No more than three books may be shipped at any one time.
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.


All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & BCJS# (call 610-208-4800 for this)
Berks County Jail
1287 County Welfare Road
Leesport, PA 19533

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Berks County Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 610-208-4800 for further assistance.

Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
Inmate Commissary

Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Berks County Jail, and what can I purchase?

Berks County Jail contracts with Access Securepak (aka MyCarePak) for families to send pre-determined packages of commissary items to your inmate.

Access Securepak carries over 1,000 different items in the following categories:
- Food and Snacks
- Personal Hygiene Products
- Electronics
- Apparel

Registration Process:
1. Register here.
2. Select Pennsylvania.
3. Select Berks County Jail.
4. Find your Inmate.
5. Deposit Funds.
6. Order Commissary Items.
Once you are logged in, you will receive instructions on how much (and what products) you can send your inmate.
Contact Information:
* If you have any questions, you can call Access Securepak at 800-546-6283.
* You can email My Care Pack at [email protected].
* You can write them at:
    Access Securepak
    10880 Linpage Place
    St. Louis, MO 63132

* You can Live Chat with a Representative online: (bottom left corner of page)
   Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.–11 p.m. CST, 
   and Saturdays, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. CST.

*Note* Access Securepak will issue a refund for or replace broken, damaged, or missing products reported by Berks County Jail staff. They will not honor reports of discrepancies from inmate's families or friends.
My CarePack is the Berks County Jail's outside vendor for Commissary Items. They have a very good mix of Chips, Snacks, Candy, Meat, Seafood, Hygiene products, Letter writing materials, Electronics and Apparel items for sale on their website.


*NOTE* -- Once you are fully registered and have selected the inmate you wish to send commissary to, you will receive instructions on how much you can deposit, how much (and what) you can purchase for your inmate, and how often you can send commissary.

How to Send a Carepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in Berks County

To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Berks County Jail follow these steps:

  • Select Pennsylvania, then select Berks County Jail, and then select the 'Send a Package Order' option.
  • Register and create an account with Access Securepak, for Berks County.
  • Choose the inmate and the products you want shipped to them, and input your payment method. 
  • NOTE: There may be a limit on how much product you can send your inmate in Berks County at any one time.

For all information, tips and available items for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in Berks County Jail check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Berks County.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Berks County Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 610-208-4800 for further assistance.

Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
Texting and Emailing an Inmate

How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Berks County Jail using an Online Messaging Service?

Emailing and Texting Messages, Photos & Videograms

Berks County Jail contracts with GTL GettingOut, the same service that handles Inmate Phone Systems and Video Visitation, for sending secure messages and photos between you and your inmate.


If you are not already registered, do so here, or Log in.

Then use the Facility Finder to:
1.  Select Berks County Jail,
2. Add your inmate to your list of contacts,
3. Add a credit or debit card to cover your costs.

How Messaging Works
Watch this video on how to send a message.
1.
  Messages can be up to 500 characters long, including punctuation. At the bottom of your message there is a 'character countdown' feature.  
2. After you click the “CONTINUE” button, you can review the cost to send your message to your inmate. You can also attach credits for your inmate to reply to your message.  Be sure to accept the Terms and Conditions and click the “SEND” button for your message to be successfully delivered to your inmate.

How Uploading Photos Works
Watch this video on how to upload a photo.
1.
  Select the Photos Tab.
2. Select “Take New Photo” or “Upload New Photo”.
3. Take a new photo with your webcam, or select "Choose File" to upload a photo from your computer.
4. Give your photo a Title or add it to the "Gallery" of your choice.
5. Select the "Share" button.
6. Select your inmate(s) and then select "Share".
7. Once the photo is approved, it will be shared with your inmate(s).

Customer Service Questions
'Online' Contact Form, or
Call   866-516-0115

How to Communicate with an Berks County Jail Inmate by Mail and by Email

To mail or email an inmate in Berks County follow these steps:

When mailing a letter or postcard to an inmate, please follow these instructions:

  • All mail sent to an inmate at the Berks County Jail must include the sender's name and mailing address in the top left corner of the envelope or postcard.
  • All mail must include the facility's address, as well as the inmate's name and assigned number.
  • Failure to include your return address will most likely result in your mail NOT being delivered and your letter destroyed.
  • The Berks County Jail has a zero-tolerance policy regarding mail violations. 
  • All the information you need to understand mail and email policies can be found on our Inmate Mail Page and our Text/Email an Inmate Page.

Emailing Messages & Photos

Facility_name_1} contracts with GTL GettingOut, the same service that handles iInmate Phone Systems and Video Visitation, for sending secure messages and photos between you and your inmate.
 
If you are not already registered, do so here, or Log in.

Then use the Facility Finder to:
1.  Select Berks County Jail,
2. Add your inmate to your list of contacts,
3. Add a credit or debit card to cover your costs.

  • Messages can be up to 500 characters long, including punctuation. At the bottom of your message there is a 'character countdown' feature.  
  • After you click the “CONTINUE” button, you can review the cost to send your message to your inmate. You can also attach credits for your inmate to reply to your message.  Be sure to accept the Terms and Conditions and click the “SEND” button for your message to be successfully delivered to your inmate.
  • You can also send your Berks County inmate photos and videos.

Customer Service Questions
'Online' Contact Form, or
Call   866-516-0115

Go here to this FAQ to get answers to how the transition to ViaPath from GTL and gettingout will affect your account.

All the information you need to understand mail and email policies for Berks County can be found on our Inmate Mail Page and our Text/Email an Inmate Page.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Berks County Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 610-208-4800 for further assistance.

Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
Inmate Tablets

Do Inmates in the Berks County Jail have Access to Tablets or Computers?

Berks County Jail allows inmates access to tablets to use for the services provided by 'gettingout'.


The devices are similar to common handheld tablets, but are made exclusively by GettingOut, a GTL / Viapath company.
Tablets offer specialized content and services for inmates to use during their stay at Berks County Jail, such as:

  • Music
  • Books
  • Games
  • Education
  • News
  • Radio
  • Television
  • Read mail and messages
  • Video visits

-  Free services are already available for use on the device at Berks County Jail.
-  Subscription services are funded separately by family and friends with deposits made into an inmate’s Debit Link account.
-  Berks County Jail Inmates will then be able to purchase subscription services and premium content to enjoy.

What Does a Tablet Cost?

  • Tablet devices include some services and the content is free.
  • The subscription services require additional funding.
  • There may be multiple options such as 7-day or 30-day subscriptions.
  • Costs are dependent upon the available services and what the Berks County Jail charges.

To estimate costs for phone calls, sign in to your account and click “Rate & Fees Calculator” in the footer (bottom of the page) or call 866-516-0115 for assistance.

How Inmates Can Use a Tablet to Access Services at Berks County Jail

To find out how to get access to a tablet for inmate read the following:

1.  First, Register or Sign In to GettingOut/GTL

2.  Purchase the services you want for your Berks County Jail inmate.
3. All inmates have free access to the tablets to read their letters from family & friends, but there are many other services available to keep your inmate busy while incarcerated... such as Games, Books, Music and Movies. These other services come with fees that you can pay for when you pay for phone service.

To learn more about Tablet Rentals for inmates, including the cost, all the services available and everything else you need to know, check out our Tablet Rental Page.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Berks County Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 610-208-4800 for further assistance.

Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
Are there photos of the Berks County Jail? What does it look like?
Other Jails in Berks County

What are the other City and County Jails in Berks County?

Berks County County Jails
Berks County Juvenile Facilities
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
Other Jails Nearby

What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Berks County?

Berks Lebanon Lancaster Schuylkill Lehigh Montgomery Chester
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
US State Prison Population Demographics

Total Inmates in US State Prisons by Sex on 3/29/2024

Sex Inmates % Total
Male 973,343 93.26%
Female 70,362 6.74%
Total 1,043,705 100.0%

Total Inmates in US State Prisons by Race/Ethnicity on 3/29/2024

race Inmates % Total
White 327,300 35.27%
Black 345,500 37.23%
Hispanic 226,800 24.44%
American Indian / Alaska Native 15,900 1.71%
Asian 12,500 1.35%
Total 928,000 100.0%

Total of Violent Inmates in US State Prisons by Sex on 3/29/2024

Sex Inmates % Total
Male 622,200 95.46%
Female 31,700 4.86%
Total 653,900 100.0%

Total of Violent Inmates in US State Prisons by Race/Ethnicity on 3/29/2024

race Inmates % Total
White 178,600 29.23%
Black 234,500 38.38%
Hispanic 179,500 29.38%
American Indian / Alaska Native 9,600 1.57%
Asian 8,800 1.44%
Total 611,000 100.0%

Murderers Held in US State Prisons by Sex on 3/29/2024

Sex Inmates % Total
Male 147,500 93.95%
Female 10,000 6.37%
Total 157,500 100.0%

Murderers Held in US State Prisons by Race/Ethnicity on 3/29/2024

race Inmates % Total
White 37,600 26.04%
Black 63,000 43.63%
Hispanic 39,100 27.08%
American Indian / Alaska Native 2,300 1.59%
Asian 2,400 1.66%
Total 144,400 100.0%

Violent Negligent Manslaughter Inmates in US State Prisons by Sex on 3/29/2024

Sex Inmates % Total
Male 16,000 86.02%
Female 2,600 13.98%
Total 18,600 100.0%

Violent Negligent Manslaughter Inmates in US State Prisons by Race/Ethnicity on 3/29/2024

race Inmates % Total
White 5,400 43.90%
Black 3,600 29.27%
Hispanic 2,900 23.58%
American Indian / Alaska Native 200 1.63%
Asian 200 1.63%
Total 12,300 100.0%

Violent Rape & Sexual Assault Inmates in US State Prisons by Sex on 3/29/2024

Sex Inmates % Total
Male 159,800 98.95%
Female 2,200 1.36%
Total 162,000 100.0%

Violent Robbery Inmates in US State Prisons by Sex on 3/29/2024

Sex Inmates % Total
Male 125,800 96.18%
Female 5,400 4.13%
Total 131,200 100.0%

Violent Robbery Inmates in US State Prisons by Race/Ethnicity on 3/29/2024

race Inmates % Total
White 21,900 18.64%
Black 66,800 56.85%
Hispanic 26,500 22.55%
American Indian / Alaska Native 1,200 1.02%
Asian 1,100 0.94%
Total 117,500 100.0%

Violent Aggravated/Simple Assault Inmates in US State Prisons by Sex on 3/29/2024

Sex Inmates % Total
Male 137,000 94.74%
Female 8,100 5.60%
Total 145,100 100.0%

Violent Aggravated/Simple Assault Inmates in US State Prisons by Race/Ethnicity on 3/29/2024

race Inmates % Total
White 37,500 23.28%
Black 53,300 33.09%
Hispanic 65,300 40.53%
American Indian / Alaska Native 2,800 1.74%
Asian 2,200 1.37%
Total 161,100 100.0%

Other Violent Inmates in US State Prisons by Sex on 3/29/2024 - non-categorized

Sex Inmates % Total
Male 36,100 91.86%
Female 3,300 8.40%
Total 39,400 100.0%

Other Violent Inmates in US State Prisons by Race/Ethnicity on 3/29/2024 - non-categorized

race Inmates % Total
White 12,200 32.45%
Black 14,200 37.77%
Hispanic 9,700 25.80%
American Indian / Alaska Native 800 2.13%
Asian 700 1.86%
Total 37,600 100.0%

Total of Property Crime Inmates in US State Prisons by Sex on 3/29/2024

Sex Inmates % Total
Male 127,900 90.64%
Female 13,600 9.64%
Total 141,500 100.0%

Total of Property Crime Inmates in US State Prisons by Race/Ethnicity on 3/29/2024

race Inmates % Total
White 60,500 50.46%
Black 37,800 31.53%
Hispanic 18,100 15.10%
American Indian / Alaska Native 2,100 1.75%
Asian 1,400 1.17%
Total 119,900 100.0%

Burglary Inmates in US State Prisons by Sex on 3/29/2024

Sex Inmates % Total
Male 75,900 95.11%
Female 4,200 5.26%
Total 80,100 100.0%

Burglary Inmates in US State Prisons by Race/Ethnicity on 3/29/2024

race Inmates % Total
White 30,500 44.40%
Black 24,200 35.23%
Hispanic 12,300 17.90%
American Indian / Alaska Native 1,100 1.60%
Asian 600 0.87%
Total 68,700 100.0%

Larceny & Theft Inmates in US State Prisons by Sex on 3/29/2024

Sex Inmates % Total
Male 22,300 84.47%
Female 4,200 15.91%
Total 26,500 100.0%

Larceny & Theft Inmates in US State Prisons by Race/Ethnicity on 3/29/2024

race Inmates % Total
White 13,800 58.97%
Black 6,800 29.06%
Hispanic 2,200 9.40%
American Indian / Alaska Native 300 1.28%
Asian 300 1.28%
Total 23,400 100.0%

Motor Vehicle Theft Inmates in US State Prisons by Sex on 3/29/2024

Sex Inmates % Total
Male 6,400 91.43%
Female 600 8.57%
Total 7,000 100.0%

Motor Vehicle Theft Inmates in US State Prisons by Race/Ethnicity on 3/29/2024

race Inmates % Total
White 2,500 48.08%
Black 1,500 28.85%
Hispanic 1,000 19.23%
American Indian / Alaska Native 100 1.92%
Asian 100 1.92%
Total 5,200 100.0%

Fraud Inmates in US State Prisons by Sex on 3/29/2024

Sex Inmates % Total
Male 9,800 75.97%
Female 3,200 24.81%
Total 13,000 100.0%

Fraud Inmates in US State Prisons by Race/Ethnicity on 3/29/2024

race Inmates % Total
White 6,900 63.30%
Black 2,600 23.85%
Hispanic 900 8.26%
American Indian / Alaska Native 300 2.75%
Asian 200 1.83%
Total 10,900 100.0%

Other Property Crime Inmates in US State Prisons by Sex on 3/29/2024 - non-categorized

Sex Inmates % Total
Male 13,600 90.67%
Female 1,400 9.33%
Total 15,000 100.0%

Other Property Crime Inmates in US State Prisons by Race/Ethnicity on 3/29/2024 - non-categorized

race Inmates % Total
White 6,700 58.26%
Black 2,700 23.48%
Hispanic 1,700 14.78%
American Indian / Alaska Native 200 1.74%
Asian 200 1.74%
Total 11,500 100.0%

Total of Drug Related Inmates in US State Prisons by Sex on 3/29/2024

Sex Inmates % Total
Male 114,600 87.08%
Female 17,400 13.22%
Total 132,000 100.0%

Total of Drug Related Inmates in US State Prisons by Race/Ethnicity on 3/29/2024

race Inmates % Total
White 49,500 47.50%
Black 37,300 35.80%
Hispanic 14,600 14.01%
American Indian / Alaska Native 1,700 1.63%
Asian 1,100 1.06%
Total 104,200 100.0%

Inmates Convicted of Drug Possession in US State Prisons by Sex on 3/29/2024

Sex Inmates % Total
Male 28,500 84.57%
Female 5,300 15.73%
Total 33,800 100.0%

Inmates Convicted of Drug Possession in US State Prisons by Race/Ethnicity on 3/29/2024

race Inmates % Total
White 14,800 56.27%
Black 7,900 30.04%
Hispanic 3,000 11.41%
American Indian / Alaska Native 400 1.52%
Asian 200 0.76%
Total 26,300 100.0%

Inmates Convicted of Drug Dealing/Manufacturing in US State Prisons by Sex on 3/29/2024

Sex Inmates % Total
Male 86,100 88.04%
Female 12,000 12.27%
Total 98,100 100.0%

Inmates Convicted of Drug Dealing/Manufacturing in US State Prisons by Race/Ethnicity on 3/29/2024

race Inmates % Total
White 34,700 44.54%
Black 29,400 37.74%
Hispanic 11,600 14.89%
American Indian / Alaska Native 1,300 1.67%
Asian 900 1.16%
Total 77,900 100.0%

Total of 'Public Order' Related Inmates in US State Prisons by Sex on 3/29/2024

Sex Inmates % Total
Male 102,500 93.95%
Female 6,900 6.32%
Total 109,400 100.0%

Total of 'Public Order' Related Inmates in US State Prisons by Race/Ethnicity on 3/29/2024

race Inmates % Total
White 35,900 40.84%
Black 34,500 39.25%
Hispanic 13,800 15.70%
American Indian / Alaska Native 2,500 2.84%
Asian 1,200 1.37%
Total 87,900 100.0%

Inmates Convicted on Illegal Weapon Possession in US State Prisons by Sex on 3/29/2024

Sex Inmates % Total
Male 37,800 97.93%
Female 900 2.33%
Total 38,700 100.0%

Inmates Convicted on Illegal Weapon Possession in US State Prisons by Race/Ethnicity on 3/29/2024

race Inmates % Total
White 7,200 22.86%
Black 16,900 53.65%
Hispanic 6,500 20.63%
American Indian / Alaska Native 500 1.59%
Asian 400 1.27%
Total 31,500 100.0%

Inmates Convicted of Multiple DUI/DWI in US State Prisons by Sex on 3/29/2024

Sex Inmates % Total
Male 13,400 89.33%
Female 1,600 10.67%
Total 15,000 100.0%

Inmates Convicted of Multiple DUI/DWI in US State Prisons by Race/Ethnicity on 3/29/2024

race Inmates % Total
White 6,800 59.65%
Black 2,000 17.54%
Hispanic 1,800 15.79%
American Indian / Alaska Native 700 6.14%
Asian 100 0.88%
Total 11,400 100.0%

Inmates Convicted of Other 'Public Order' Felonies in US State Prisons by Sex on 3/29/2024

Sex Inmates % Total
Male 51,200 92.25%
Female 4,400 7.93%
Total 55,600 100.0%

Inmates Convicted of Other 'Public Order' Felonies in US State Prisons by Race/Ethnicity on 3/29/2024

race Inmates % Total
White 21,900 48.45%
Black 15,700 34.73%
Hispanic 5,600 12.39%
American Indian / Alaska Native 1,300 2.88%
Asian 700 1.55%
Total 45,200 100.0%

Total Number of Inmates Convicted of Unspecified Felonies in US State Prisons by Sex on 3/29/2024

Sex Inmates % Total
Male 6,100 89.71%
Female 800 11.76%
Total 6,900 100.0%

Total Number of Inmates Convicted of Unspecified Felonies in US State Prisons by Race/Ethnicity on 3/29/2024

race Inmates % Total
White 2,700 52.94%
Black 1,500 29.41%
Hispanic 700 13.73%
American Indian / Alaska Native 100 1.96%
Asian 100 1.96%
Total 5,100 100.0%
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less

This facility, known as "Berks County Jail" is also known as Berks County Prison , Berks County Prison , Pennsylvania, Berks.