New York state prisons: visiting, mail, money and status
42 NYS DOCCS prisons from the official NYS DOCCS facility list, checked 2026-10-20.
NYS DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup (official) (opens in new tab) New York facility status
Facility list, addresses and phone numbers come from DOCCS's official facility listing PDF dated June 2025 (the DOCCS website blocks automated checks, so pages were read through that PDF and DOCCS's own pages). DOCCS has closed facilities in recent years; confirm the person's current facility in the Incarcerated Lookup before you write or visit.
How to search: enter the person's legal last and first name, or their NYS DOCCS ID number if you have it. Nicknames and misspellings usually return nothing; try fewer letters or a different spelling of the name. DOCCS says the most direct search is by DIN (Department Identification Number). By name, use the exact last name with birth year, or a partial last name; the lookup is offline briefly each night around 11:45 pm Eastern.
What the dates mean: any dates shown, such as admission, sentence or projected release dates, come from NYS DOCCS's own records. Projected dates can change (for example with earned credits, discipline or parole decisions) and are not a guarantee. Ask NYS DOCCS or the facility before making plans around a date. DOCCS notes its lookup also shows certain people who have been released, with when and why.
OutSooner does not store or list anyone's name, date of birth or ID number. The search runs on the official site.
Family guide: money, calls, visits and mail
From official NYS DOCCS pages. Vendors are named only as the state's approved provider. OutSooner has no affiliate or sponsor links. Our promise and how we check facts.
Sending money
- Deposits are handled by the state's approved provider, which DOCCS lists as JPay: online, by app, by phone (1-800-574-5729), with cash at MoneyGram (Receive Code 1317), or by mail.
- Mail a check or money order with a JPay deposit slip to: JPay, PO Box 531190, Miami, Florida 33153. DOCCS says mailed and visit-day lockbox deposits have no fee.
- On visit days you can leave cash, money orders or checks in the visitor deposit lockbox at the facility (money orders and checks need a facility JPay slip; up to $999.99).
Fees change. Check the official NYS DOCCS page (opens in new tab) for current fees before you pay.
Official pages: JPay (approved provider) (opens in new tab)
The state's approved app (JPay): App Store (opens in new tab) Google Play (opens in new tab)
Source: NYS DOCCS (official) (opens in new tab) · Last checked · Report an error
Phone calls and video visits
- Calls from New York State prisons are free to receive, effective August 1, 2025, through the state's approved phone provider (Securus). You no longer need a Securus account.
- A person can call only the numbers on their approved list, up to 15 numbers, usually updated quarterly. Calls are generally allowed 7 AM to 11 PM.
- To stop calls, notify the facility in writing to be added to the Negative Correspondence and Telephone List.
- Secure messages, photos and VideoGrams go through JPay with paid 'stamps'; people in custody get four free stamps a month.
Official pages: Secure messaging (DOCCS) (opens in new tab)
Source: NYS DOCCS (official) (opens in new tab) · Last checked · Report an error
In-person visiting
- Visiting days and hours differ by facility. Generally maximum-security prisons have daily visiting and medium-security prisons visit on weekends and holidays; some use last name or DIN to set days. Call the facility before your first visit.
- Bring valid photo ID. All adult visitors must pass a body image scanner for a contact visit; if you decline, you may get a non-contact visit that day (up to 2 visitors, 2 hours).
- Medical exemptions to the scanner must be approved in advance using DOCCS's form. Visitors under 18 are not scanned.
- Leave phones, purses and wallets locked in your car; don't leave children in the car.
Source: NYS DOCCS (official) (opens in new tab) · Last checked · Report an error
Becoming an approved visitor
- DOCCS does not use a pre-approved visitor list for most visitors: with few exceptions, anyone may visit during visiting hours with proper ID if the person agrees to the visit.
- People on probation or parole, DOCCS employees, volunteers and contractors need written permission from the Superintendent in advance (and, for probation/parole, from their officer). People with pending or past criminal cases may be denied.
- Minors must be with an approved adult escort or have written permission from a parent or guardian; children of the person may visit without written permission.
Source: NYS DOCCS (official) (opens in new tab) · Last checked · Report an error
- Write the person's name and DIN on every envelope, with your return address in the top left.
- Envelopes may include letters and photos. Do not send nude or Polaroid photos, postage stamps, or letters from other people (except children).
- Use the facility address. Some facilities list a separate mailing address for incarcerated people, shown on the facility page.
Source: NYS DOCCS (official) (opens in new tab) · Last checked · Report an error
Facility list from NYS DOCCS (opens in new tab).
Sources: NYS DOCCS facilities (opens in new tab) · Last verified: · Corrections