Nonprofit
Prisoner Visitation and Support
A volunteer group that visits people held in federal and military prisons across the United States, a service it says it has provided since 1968. Trained volunteers visit about once a month, keep up brief correspondence, and write a short report after each visit.
- Online OK
- Background check
Saved in this browser only.
What they do
Become a volunteer visitor and commit to at least two years of visits, or give money to help recruit and train volunteers.
Who it is for
- Who can join
- Open to anyone
- Who is there
- Adults of any age
When and where
Visitors see the person they are matched with about once a month, keep up brief correspondence in between, and file a short online report after each visit. Training comes before the first visit.
Friends Center office
- Address
- 1501 Cherry Street
- Part of the city
- Central
You can join online.
Your first visit
Feeling unsure the first time is normal. Most groups are glad when someone new walks in.
First step: Download the fillable visitor application from the Become a Visitor page, then talk with PVS staff, complete training and wait for facility approval before your first visit..
Check with the group before you show up. You need to sign up first.
What to expect
After approval, you are matched with one person from a waiting list and visit that same person about once a month for at least two years. Visits are face to face inside federal or military prisons; the person sets the agenda, and you listen with respect without preaching. Between visits you send brief correspondence and file a short online report.
Tips for your first visit
- Expect fingerprinting and a background check before you can visit anyone.
- Use the Bureau of Prisons facility locator the group recommends to see whether a federal prison is near you.
- Plan for a two year commitment, and tell PVS early if you need to stop so it can notify the prison and the person.
Newcomer welcome
Takes some effort for newcomers (2 out of 5). Why we say this: The way in is a written application, a staff conversation, training and facility approval with fingerprinting and a background check, then a match. The group asks for at least two years, so it is not a drop-in group..
Cost and commitment
- Cost
- Cost not known yet. The site does not state a volunteer fee; it asks for donations to recruit and train volunteers.
- How often
- An ongoing role
Access and languages
- Wheelchair access
- We do not know yet. Ask the group before you go.
- Languages spoken
- We do not know yet which languages are spoken.
Requirements
- This group asks for a background check.
How to reach them
We copy contact details as the group or a public source published them. Each one shows where it came from.
- Website: prisonervisitation.org Source: prisonervisitation.org, seen October 8, 2026
- Email: PVS@prisonervisitation.org Source: prisonervisitation.org, seen October 8, 2026
- Phone: 215-241-7117 Source: prisonervisitation.org, seen October 8, 2026
Sources and last check
Checked by our research team on October 8, 2026. This was a closer look, including what a first visit is like.
- Last seen active
- October 2026 (See the evidence)
- Last checked by our team
- October 8, 2026
- Status
- Active
- Our confidence in this listing
- Medium
- IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Pennsylvania extract, seen October 4, 2026. Supports: Name, Location, Ein
- prisonervisitation.org, seen October 8, 2026. Supports: Summary, What they do, Schedule, First step, Contacts, Status, Last sign of life, Location
- friendscentercorp.org, seen October 8, 2026. Supports: Lead
- prisonervisitation.org, seen October 8, 2026. Supports: First step, Requirements, Commitment
- prisonervisitation.org, seen October 8, 2026. Supports: Schedule, What to expect, First visit tips, Status, Last sign of life
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