Visiting Someone at Bucks County Department of Corrections

Step 1. Get on the Approved Visitor List

The inmate manages their own visitor list from the inside, there’s no separate registration form for adult visitors to fill out ahead of time. Confirm with the person you’re visiting that you’ve been added if you’re planning your first trip, ideally a few days before you intend to go, in case they need time to update the list.

Step 2. Check the Current Visitation Schedule

Visits happen Saturdays only, so check the posted schedule at buckscounty.gov before you plan a trip, since holidays and facility circumstances can shift specific dates. Because Saturday is the only in-person visiting day, it’s worth confirming the schedule close to your planned date rather than assuming it hasn’t changed since your last visit.

Step 3. Bring the Right ID

Visitors 16 and older need a photo ID, a driver’s license, non-driver’s license, employment or school ID, or passport. Visitors under 16 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, and those ages 16 to 18 need guardian approval to visit. Bring an ID that isn’t expired, since an outdated ID is a common reason visitors get turned away at security.

Visits Are Non-Contact

In-person visits at Bucks County are non-contact, meaning you and the person you’re visiting are separated, typically by glass or a barrier. Nothing may be exchanged between visitor and inmate during the visit, and communication happens through an intercom or phone handset built into the visiting booth.

What to Expect at Security Screening

Expect a check-in process that verifies your ID against the inmate’s approved visitor list, followed by walking through a metal detector. Arrive with only what you need, since personal items like phones, wallets, and bags are generally not allowed into the visiting area and may need to stay in your vehicle.

Dress Code

Prohibited: halter, midriff, or tube tops, short shorts, micro-minis, fishnet or see-through clothing, and anything with offensive text. Hats, bandanas, and umbrellas aren’t allowed without prior approval. Religious headwear is permitted but subject to search.

Visit Conduct Rules

A maximum of 2 visitors is allowed per inmate per session. Leaving your seat during the visit ends it early, so plan accordingly, especially if you’re bringing children. Disruptive behavior can also end a visit early or affect approval for future visits.

Bringing Children to Visit

The county’s page doesn’t spell out a specific policy for young children beyond the general guardian-accompaniment rule for visitors under 16. If you’re planning to bring a child, especially a very young one, call ahead to ask whether there are any additional considerations for that age group at the specific building your family member is housed in.

Video Visitation as an Alternative

If Saturday in-person visiting doesn’t work for your schedule, video visitation is available through GTL/ConnectNetwork at gtlvisitme.com. Every inmate is issued a tablet, and video visits are fee-based. This can be a practical option if you live far from Doylestown or can’t make the single weekly in-person window.

Which Building Applies to You

Bucks County’s correctional campus at 1730 S. Easton Road includes 3 separate buildings: the Main Correctional Facility, the Women’s Correctional Facility, and the Men’s Community Corrections Center, a minimum-security work-release facility. Visiting rules can differ slightly by building, so confirm which one applies to your family member before you finalize your plans.

If You Have Other Questions

Call Bucks County Department of Corrections directly at (215) 345-3700 for anything not covered here, including which building applies to your visit, holiday schedule changes, or accommodations for a disability or medical condition.

Planning Around a Single Weekly Visiting Day

Because in-person visiting only happens on Saturdays, missing your window means waiting a full week for another chance. Build in extra travel time, especially if you’re coming from out of the area, and have a backup plan, like a video visit, in case something comes up that prevents you from making it in person that week.