Philadelphia Police Detention Unit

Philadelphia Police Detention Unit is the local facility that is used for the direct booking and arrests by the police department of Philadelphia. It houses only those inmates, and is a temporary holding unit for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. It has a maximum capacity of around 250 and as a temporary facility sees many inmates transferred after their arraignment or after they have completed their trial and are serving their full sentence. Those who are being held in the facility will have access to phones for outgoing phone calls from 7:30am until 7pm, and may call anyone who is on their approved list, their lawyer, family, and friends. They may not call or receive visits from someone who is involved in the case in any way, including victims, those who have been recently released from this facility or other facilities, or children who are unaccompanied by a legal guardian. Inmates may require money while they are incarcerated for commissary purchases of hygiene items, replacement clothing such as socks and shirts, and other needs. In order to support these purchases funds can be added at the front desk of the facility by friends or family who have the inmates full name and identification number. They may also receive mail at the facility if it is letter mail, and it must include their full name and identification number as well as a full return address. Any mail that does not fit the restrictions will be returned to sender or destroyed. Visiting hours are Monday to Friday 7:30-11am and 12:30-4pm, with extended hours on Friday night and through the weekend of 5:30 to 9pm. When visiting it must be planned and scheduled in advance by contacting the facility, and a strict dress code must be adhered to.

Steps involved in booking at Philadelphia Police Detention Unit

After an arrest, the individual is brought to Philadelphia Police Detention Unit for the booking process. This procedure involves identifying the person, determining charges, and deciding whether they’ll be released on their own recognizance, posted for bail, or held until court.

Remaining silent is highly recommended, as anything said can later be used in court. Wait for legal advice before responding to questions.

The booking process typically involves the following steps at Philadelphia Police Detention Unit:

• Identification confirmation.
• Photographs (mugshots).
• Answering questions regarding health and criminal background.
• Potential DNA collection.
• Conducting a physical search.
• Seizing personal property.
• Providing a free phone call.

Booking timeframes vary, ranging from one hour to up to 48 hours. For details on an offender’s bail or bond, call Philadelphia Police Detention Unit at 311.