State Correctional Institution (SCI) Smithfield is a closed-security prison, housing up to 1,400 adult male prisoners. Established in 1988, SCI Smithfield stands on the grounds of SCI-Huntingdon in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. Historically, this correctional facility was opened during an accelerated growth of the penitentiary system in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
SCI Smithfield serves as a state prison that accommodates male inmates who were mainly convicted of crimes under Pennsylvania state and federal laws. There is a unique program called the “Puppy Program” at SCI Smithfield, meaning the offenders will be paired with dogs that are trained by inmates to be service animals.
Okay, let’s find out some other interesting facts about SCI Smithfield in our post below!
How Was the SCI Smithfield Constructed?
With a total population of 1,345, SCI Smithfield is the 30th largest facility in Pennsylvania and has a maximum number of beds per facility of up to 1,380 inmates. The facility has twenty-two buildings, of which eleven are housing units for inmates. Depending on safety requirements, inmates are housed in single cells.
Initially, SCI Smithfield designed the facility for 492 inmates, which consisted of A-G blocks, RHU cells, and Medical cells. In 1991, H Block started to build and added about 65 additional cells, divided into 51 double cells and 15 single cells.
In 1994, 144 cells were added to I Blocks, which were divided into 120 double cells and 24 single cells. The facility then opened K Blocks, which consisted of 127 cells, in 2010. And the last, J Blocks, was established to open 13 cells, housing inmates who were involved in the Behavior Management Unit program.
SCI Smithfield constructed all housing units (except for I Blocks) as single-cell housing units. Over the years, extra beds were added to all units, increasing the facility. As of this writing, the optimum bed capacity is 1,361, and the maximum bed capacity is 1,380.
What are the Programs Available for SCI Smithfield Inmates?
Just like other state correctional facilities in the United States, SCI Smithfield also provides a variety of programs that inmates can get involved in. The facility will regularly select up to 50 eligible inmates to work in the Correctional Industries Program, which operates a garment factory.
The facility also encourages inmates who do not hold a diploma to take adult basic education courses and gain a GED. Basically, programs offered to inmates can help them gain some new skills while behind bars to prepare them for reentry into society upon release.
Here’s a list of programs at SCI Smithfield that inmates can take!
1. Academic Education
Academic education programs come in various forms and can help inmates pursue their level of education after release. Typically, the programs allow inmates to learn any basic education in the form of GED or literacy classes.
The following are academic education programs available at SCI Smithfield:
- Adult Basic Education
- General Education Development
- Commonwealth Secondary Diploma (CSD)
- Pathway to Success
- Money Smart
- Business Occupations
2. Vocational Training
Vocational training programs available at SCI Smithfield allow inmates to gain some new skills to easily find a job and earn a living wage. These aim to increase employment opportunities post-release and also help lower recidivism.
The following are vocational training programs available at SCI Smithfield:
- Building Trades
- CDLs
- Custodial Maintenance
- Barber Manager Program
- Centralized Inmate Programs:
- Athletic/Leisure Community-Oriented Programs
- Geriatric Services
- HIV Support Group
- Supplementary Education
3. Social Services
In addition, SCI Smithfield also provides social service programs. Here are the types of social services available at SCI Smithfield:
- Batterers Intervention
- Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment
- Violence Prevention
- Thinking for a Change
- Parenting
- Institutional Orientation Group
- Long-Term Offenders Group
- Sex Offenders Group
- Special Needs Medication Compliance
- Special Needs Unit Adjustment Group
- Special Needs Unit
- Act 143, Victim Awareness
- Secure Residential Treatment Unit
- Puppy Program
- Impact of Crime
- AOD Co-Occurring Outpatient Program
- Behavior Management Unit (BMU) Co-Occurring Disorders Group
- Juvenile Life Support Groups
- Seek Safety
4. Puppy Program
SCI Smithfield partners with Canine Partners for Life to launch the “Puppy Program” for inmates. This program allows inmates to spend at least one year with puppies. Before the puppies go back to Canine Partners for Life to get specialized training to become service dogs, the inmates have to teach them basic commands first.
5. Correctional Industries Program
SCI Smithfield opened a garment factory plant in January 1994 and started to employ approximately 50 inmates at full production. The factory produces corduroy winter coats and lightweight jackets for inmates.
6. Community Work Program
These programs include painting, brush control, concrete work, mulching, roof repair, general labor, interior renovations, and many more.
Visiting Hours at SCI Smithfield
If you have a loved one incarcerated at the SCI Smithfield facility, it’s highly recommended that you know when the proper time is to visit them. However, every facility, whether federal or state, will set its own rules for visiting time.
Well, you can visit a SCI Smithfield inmate at the following times:
| Days | Time |
| Mondays | 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. |
| Fridays | |
| Saturdays | |
| Sundays |
Note: Inmates are allowed to receive a maximum of five visitors, including adults and kids. They will be informed of any changes to the normal visiting schedule regarding holidays or any special events.
Rules for Visiting Inmates at SCI Smithfield
For those of you who have a plan to visit an inmate at SCI Smithfield, you may have to know the visiting rules. There are so many points that you should meet, including:
Should do:
- Lock your vehicle while on prison property.
- Make a deposit to rent a locker, ranging from 25 cents to $10. It should be done since you’re not allowed to bring any items to the visiting room.
- Only buy a vending card in the lobby through a kiosk.
- Bring any baby equipment, including up to three sealed baby food and clear plastic bottles and up to three diapers per infant.
Shouldn’t do:
- Bring any money or gifts for inmates. It can instead be done through JPay.
- Bring cellphones, cameras, and any electronic devices.
- Bring bags, purses, diaper bags, etc.
- Bring cash to buy any foods and drinks.
SCI Smithfield Contact Information
To ask any questions or get some information about an inmate, you can contact SCI Smithfield representatives via:
- Phone: (814) 643-6520
- Website: cor.pa.gov/Facilities/StatePrisons/Pages/Smithfield.aspx
Physical Address
If you want to visit the SCI Smithfield facility and meet an inmate in person, you can reach them at:
SCI Smithfield
1120 Pike Street
Huntingdon, PA 16652
Facility Mailing Address
You can send an email to the SCI Smithfield facility at:
1120 Pike Street
Huntingdon, PA 16652
Inmate Mailing Address
If you prefer to send an email to an inmate at SCI Smithfield, you can deliver it to:
Smart Communications/PADOC
Inmate Name/Inmate Number
Institution
PO Box 33028
St Petersburg, FL 33733
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
