Lancaster County Prison (Lancaster, Pennsylvania)

 prison, 1850s construction, local government

Lancaster County Prison

The Lancaster County Prison is located on the eastern side of Lancaster City where it was constructed in 1852. The prison was originally built in the style of a medieval castle and retains much of that original appearance today. The prison has undergone many renovations and expansions over the years with the most recent renovations being completed in 1992.

The prison is only the third structure built as a jail in the county since Lancaster County incorporated in 1729. The prison was the site of public hangings up to 1912.

The Lancaster County Prison of today, incarcerates within its walls, maximum, medium, minimum and trustee security level inmates. It holds both men and women, with a daily prison population average of over 800 in 1996. The prison housing capacity can be expanded beyond its present 953 bed capacity, should the need to do so arise. On an annual basis there are over 5000 admissions to the prison with an approximately equal number of discharges.

625 East King Street, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 17602-3199
Main receptionist (717) 299-7800
Fax Number: (717) 299-7813

co.lancaster.pa.us/153/Prison