Access to Information and Facilities.
Philadelphia Code § 21-3606
in effect§ 21-3606. Access to Information and Facilities.
(1) The Office shall inspect all facilities in the manner and to the full extent necessary to carry out its powers and duties. Such access shall include the ability to physically inspect and visit facilities, without prior notice to the Department, as the relevant investigation, audit or review demands.
(2) The Office shall have access to city agencies, including the Department and contracted third parties, and files and records related to matters within the Office’s purview to the full extent necessary to carry out its powers and duties.
(3) The Office shall collect photographic and video documentation of conditions of confinement at correctional facilities in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Images that would personally identify any individual at the correctional facilities shall not be publicly published without such individual’s consent.
(4) The Office may collect statements and other information from individuals at the county prisons during an inspection, audit, or review. Communication with the Office shall be confidential and used for the sole purposes of informing policy recommendations, reports or investigatory findings.
(5) The Office may request and shall be provided space to have confidential conversations with incarcerated people, staff, or vendors to fulfill their mandated purpose and duties.
(6) The Office may issue and enforce subpoenas and compel the attendance of witnesses or the production of documents of third parties and other evidence in support of any investigation as provided in Section 8-409 of the Home Rule Charter.
Source: City of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Code and Home Rule Charter (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/philadelphia/latest/philadelphia_pa/0-0-0-308974Fetched: 10/27/2026