Run a Free Pennsylvania Probation Search: Resource

Conduct a free Pennsylvania probation search smoothly by utilizing the methods outlined in this resource.

This article offers citizens free and accessible tools to efficiently look up probation details, contact supervising officers, and identify potential violations. Probation and parole are both legal alternatives to incarceration, but where probation is offered instead jail time, parole is supervised release prior to the completion of a prison sentence — typically after some time has already been served within a correctional facility.

Use this resource to better understand the criminal justice system and reveal details of any probationer in Pennsylvania; the guidance provided here also gives some insight into parolees.

How To Carry Out a Pennsylvania Probation Search Free of Charge

The state of Pennsylvania has 67 counties, with Philadelphia County being the most populous and sharing the same boundaries as the City of Brotherly Love.

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PDOC) works together with the state’s Department of Probation & Parole (PDPP) to provide the public with timely information on offenders in the state.¹

Note: Those who have been offered early release from incarceration or probation instead of a prison sentence were formerly overseen by the Board of Probation & Parole.

As of December 2019, JRI-2 (otherwise known as the Justice Reinvestment Initiative) moved county probation and parole programs under the Pennsylvania Commission for Crime & Delinquency (PCCD). Copies of the County Adult Probation & Parole (CAPP) report were previously available on the Board’s website, but they are now found on the PCCD website.

Users can visit the Commission office in person and ask if someone is on probation at the address below:

Pennsylvania Commission Office
3101 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110

Phone: (717) 705-0888
Toll-Free: (800) 692-7292

Mailing address:

Pennsylvania Commission Office
P.O. Box 1167
Harrisburg, PA, 17108-1167

Under Pennsylvania’s Right to Know Law, access to public records is available through the Agency Open Records Office in Harrisburg. Every state and local agency is required to have an Open Records Officer. Individuals can conduct a probation search and inquire if someone is on probation by making requests in person, by mail or via email through this office located at:

PCCD RTKL Office
Attn: Open Records Officer
P.O. Box 1167
Harrisburg, PA 17108-1167

Email: RA-PCCD-RightToKnow@pa.gov

Requests can also be made using this Office of Open Records public record request form. Having the first and last name of the individual and the county or city of residence, along with personal identifying information will help expedite the search process. The more specific the request, the easier it is for the officer to determine if the information is part of public record.

The Inmate & Parolee Locator contains details about each individual under supervision of the PDPP and may reveal the county where the person resides, along with race, date of birth and other pertinent details.² Information used to populate this tool is updated daily. Users can search and sort the results by:

• First, Middle & Last Name
• Gender
• Race
• Current Location
• Parole Number (if known)
• Date of Birth (or approximate age)

There is also a website for public records under Pennsylvania’s Unified Judicial System. Users can search public court records online or make requests for information through public records forms available at this website.³

Search Pennsylvania Probationers via County & City Agencies

For a probation search, the Pennsylvania Board of Probation & Parole handles all probationers sentenced up to 12 months.⁵

While some success may be achieved through the parolee database from the Unified Judicial System, an alternative solution is to contact the probation department in the county where the person on probation resides.

For example, in Philadelphia County, users can reach out to:

Philadelphia Probation Dept.
714 Market Street, 6th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Phone: (215) 683-1000

The Parole Board webpage contains a map of Pennsylvania with links to each probation office in the state.⁶ If the county is known, this tool will provide the addresses and phone numbers of each probation office in the corresponding county.

For additional information, the county clerk and law enforcement offices at the county and city levels can also be contacted; they may be able to offer additional insight into probation details at the local level. Below is a list of the top five counties followed by the top five cities and the contact details for each:

Here are the top five Pennsylvania cities and their court or law enforcement agency for requesting probation information on current offenders. Requests can be made in person, by mail or through a phone call to the offices listed:

Always respect privacy laws and regulations when seeking probation offender information for personal use. If any searches are conducted in person or over the phone, clearly state the purpose for the request and be prepared to provide any other pertinent details the office may require.

How To Contact Someone’s Probation Officer in PA & Look Up Violations

According to Pennsylvania Code 234, Rule 708, a violation of probation can result in serious consequences.⁷

Since probation is typically granted to offenders prior to a jail sentence, there are certain conditions that must be followed during the probationary period. Violating any or all of those conditions could lead to jail time, additional fines or further restrictions where the offender lives or may work.

These violations fall under either the technical category or new criminal charges. Technical violations may include:

• Failure to contact probation officer
• Quitting school/job program
• Not paying all fines
• Failing a drug test
• Not completing a mandatory treatment program

New criminal activity while on probation makes the offender immediately in violation and subject to immediate arrest.

If you are concerned about someone on probation being in violation, the best course of action is to conduct a probation search and locate the probation office in the county where the offender lives or works. This may be two different counties if the residence is in one county and the place of work is in another.

Probation offices throughout the state of Pennsylvania will help you find addresses and phone numbers, so you can reach officials there to report violations or reach the assigned probation officer with any questions. The Eastern District of Pennsylvania has a website for its probation office, which merges the regions of Philadelphia, Allentown, Reading and Easton.⁸

How To Verify Who Is on Parole in Pennsylvania

This resource has provided details on the Department of Corrections in addition to the Board of Probation & Parole and the newly assigned duties of the Commission for Crime & Delinquency.

These agencies – along with county courts and local law enforcement – all work together to ensure the safety of Pennsylvania citizens, and they can all be reached for free with inquiries regarding offenders on parole.⁹

If an individual on parole hasn’t been found through those sources, there remains a paid option.

In Pennsylvania, criminal records are available to the general public through the State Police via the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system. This requires a $22 registration fee and is mostly used for background check requests, but it might provide records for parole offenders in the search results, if any criminal activity has been recorded.

For a listing of current parole absconders, there is a webpage operated by the Parole & Probation Board, where tips can be submitted to the board via phone or email.¹⁰

Pennsylvania Parole Board Absconders List
Phone: 800-932-4857
RA-CRabscondertips@pa.gov

Searches can also be conducted using the name, county and gender of potential violators.

Check out the Pennsylvania parolee search steps for further guidance on accessing these records.

The successful navigation of probation and parole records in Pennsylvania creates a more informed populace. With free and accessible resources, individuals are empowered to be a part of positive change.

Ultimately, this article is more than just a resource; it equips those wishing to conduct a free Pennsylvania probation search with the tools needed and serves as a stepping stone to safer communities.