New York Inmate Search

New York Inmate Search, provided by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS), allows the public to search for inmates in state-run prisons.

The department is in charge of maintaining and storing all inmate records. They retain them online and are accessible so that anybody may look for an inmate anytime. With the New York Inmate Search tool on its website, it makes it simple to locate someone in a New York correctional facility.

When conducting an inmate search in New York, expect some of the information below:

Individual's name, birthdate, and identification number (if known)
The inmate's current location and status (e.g., released, transferred)
Admission and release dates
Sentence information

Note that some information may not be publicly available for privacy or security reasons. Additionally, it is essential to remember that the information provided by New York Inmate Search may be subject to change and may not be up-to-date.

What Are New York Inmate Records?

New York Inmate Records include the official information regarding those detained in correctional facilities, prisons, detention centers, or jails maintained by New York cities, counties, or the State of New York. The New York Freedom of Information Act makes this record accessible to the general public.

The inmate records are the paperwork, physical evidence, digital information, and court documents allocated to each offender through the New York criminal justice system.

Generally, an inmate record in New York contains the following:

Registration numbers like the Department Identification Number (DIN) or the New York State ID Number (NYSID)
DNA samples
Audio and video recordings
Police reports
Arrest warrants
Trial records
Sentencing

More specifically, these records have the following information about the inmate:

Inmate's name, sex, date of birth, race, and physical description, including height, weight, eye and hair color, and any identifying markings
Custody status
Place of confinement
Release date

What Are New York Prison and Jail Records?

New York has several state prisons to detain convicts who have breached the law within the state limits. Each institution has a varied degree of security and a diverse population.

The state also has around 60 county jails managed by local police or Sheriff's Offices, five federal prisons that detain people who violate federal laws, and eight juvenile incarceration facilities which hold minor offenders.

New York has a significant inmate population, with over 60,000 confined in state prisons and an additional 7,000 in county jails.

Most New York inmates are incarcerated for non-violent charges, such as drug-related offenses or property crimes. But the state also holds many dangerous criminals, including murderers and rapists.

Here are other statistical data from the New York Prison and Jail Records:

The state's inmate population is 96% male and 4% female
From 2007 to 2016, the state's inmate population declined by 19%
New York's Juvenile Custody Rate (per 100,000) is 99, which is 78% lower than the national average of 450.
New York's state and local correctional expenditures climbed by 191% between 1979 - 1980 and 2012 - 2013, from $2.05B to almost $6B

What Are the Types of Prisons and Jails in New York?

The key to a successful New York Inmate Search is familiarity with the state's complex correctional network. Here are the types of correctional facilities that you should learn about in New York:

New York State Prisons

Offenders detained in New York state prisons may have committed a broad range of charges, including robbery, burglary, drug offenses, assault, murder, and other major felonies.

Some facilities in this correctional system are exclusively for men, while others are for women. Others provide therapy for convicts with drug and alcohol addictions.

For the updated New York state prisons list, you can consult this page and verify the facility using this tool from DOCCS.

New York Federal Prisons

Individuals charged and convicted of federal crimes are detained in New York federal prisons. These violations may include drug trafficking, white-collar crimes, cybercrime, weapons offenses, immigration violations, and other federal offenses.

Here are the federal prisons in New York:

The Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) operates these facilities and is responsible for the care, custody, and control of individuals in federal prisons.

New York County Jails

Typically, individuals incarcerated in New York county jails are awaiting trial or serving a term for a crime committed. These individuals may include people charged with various offenses, from minor crimes like petty theft to more serious crimes like assault, robbery, or murder. Furthermore, these facilities hold those serving time for parole violations.

Around sixty county jails in New York are run by local police and Sheriff's Offices. Here is the list of county jails in New York with their contact information, prepared by the New York State Commission of Correction (NYSCOC)

New York Juvenile Detention Centers

There are eight juvenile detention centers in New York, and they are meant to keep adolescents suspected of committing a crime or regarded as a risk to themselves or others.

These facilities offer youth temporary shelter and assistance while they await a trial or placement determination. The goal is to provide a safe and secure environment and educational and behavioral activities to help the youngster mature.

Here is the list of juvenile detention centers in New York, managed and supervised by the OCFS Bureau of Juvenile Detention Services.

How To Perform Inmate Search in New York?

You can perform New York Inmate Search through the Incarcerated Lookup tool of the DOCCS. It is a free inmate lookup service that you can use to locate a convict in the state.

To do an inmate search, provide the inmate's DIN or NYSID, along with the offender's complete name and birth year, and submit the request. The department removes the individual's information from its website five years after a non-violent convict completes their sentence or release. It may be challenging to locate an inmate's record when this occurs.

If you have trouble identifying an inmate using the tool, you may contact the DOCCS Central files at (518) 457-5000 for assistance.

It is worth noting that you may only view the records of adult detainees in the Incarcerated Lookup tool, and it is impossible to access juvenile offenders' state records since they are private. Furthermore, this tool is only for state prisons in New York. Thus, different methods may apply when searching for federal and county jail inmates.

For county jail inmates, you can use the list prepared by NYSCOC to contact the appropriate facility (link in the "New York County Jails" section). Another option that the commission recommends is to use VINELink.

Those looking for inmates in a New York City jail may use the Inmate Lookup Service tool. You need the inmate's NYSID or Book and Case Number to begin a search. But you can always do a name-based search using the inmate's first and last name.

Lastly, FBOP has a "Find an inmate" page where you find the location of a federal inmate detained between 1982 and the present. But to get information from a federal inmate record, you must contact the in-charge facility directly.

How To Contact an Inmate in New York?

Generally, you can contact an inmate in New York state prisons through Securus Technology. You must first create a Securus account to take calls from detained inmates. Creating an account is also feasible by calling 1-800-844-6591.

The "Call-Home" program of the DOCCS enables inmates to make phone calls to retain touch with their families. In this program, you can prepay for the inmate to contact you.

Inmates are only authorized to contact anyone on their approved telephone list, which may include no more than 15 numbers at any given time.

Depending on the kind of institution, inmates can typically make phone calls every day, including holidays, between 7 AM and 11 PM. But no calls will exceed 30 minutes in duration.

Contacting an inmate in New York state prisons differs from county jails, federal prisons, and juvenile detention centers. For these correctional facilities, you can try the following to contact an inmate you want:

Find the correct facility: Go back to the "What Are the Types of Prisons and Jails in New York?" section for this action.
Check their website or call them for phone and mail policies: Most facilities have specific rules for inmates receiving phone calls and mail, so be sure to familiarize yourself with these policies.
Send mail: You can send a letter to the inmate at the facility's mailing address.
Use phone services: Some facilities allow inmates to receive phone calls from approved numbers. Like state prisons, you may need to set up an account with a third-party service provider to pay for the calls.

How To Visit an Inmate in New York?

To visit an inmate in New York state prisons, you must adhere to the visitors' checklist.

After that, find the exact location of the inmate's detainment. Then, apply for permission. But if you are a member of the inmate's family or friends, you may visit without approval.

Before visiting, the following individuals must write to the superintendent and get permission:

Persons presently under community supervision or probation
Those with prior or pending criminal proceedings
DOCCS employees
An engaged volunteer with DOCCS
A former inmate of the institution

If they have reasonable cause, superintendents may reject, restrict, suspend, or revoke visiting rights for any detained individual or visitor.

Remember that all visitors must have a photo ID and a signed declaration of compliance with visiting guidelines.

For county jails, you may get information concerning visit schedules, hours, number of visits, and other requirements on the New York City Correction Department website.

Before visiting any New York correctional facility—state prisons, county jails, federal prisons, or juvenile detention centers— it's a good idea to check the facility's website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date information and to confirm any requirements or restrictions.

How To Send Money to an Inmate in New York?

New York establishes standards for transferring money to an offender by family and friends. In this DOCCS guideline, here are the six ways inmates may finance their accounts:

Visitor Deposit Lockbox

DOCCS facilities have a deposit lock box where you can put cash, checks, and money orders into an inmate's account during a visit.

Mailing Checks or Money Orders Using JPay Deposit Slip

To deposit checks and money orders, you must complete the facility's JPay deposit slip and mail it to the JPay address.

The DOCCS transfers it to JPay for processing, and the DOCCS facility personnel processes the deposited cash.

Money orders sent to inmates take ten days to appear in their accounts.

JPay Website

Another method to send money to an inmate in New York is by creating a JPay account online and using a debit or credit card to transfer.

JPay Mobile App

Alternatively, you can transfer money to an inmate using the JPay mobile app that you can download from the Apple store or Google Play store.

Deposit via Phone

You can also call the toll-free number (800) 574-5729 and give the account number to make a credit card deposit.

MoneyGram

Lastly, you can send money to an inmate in New York through MoneyGram by registering, entering the recipient's information, and selecting a card or direct bank transfer as your payment option. When using this method, use the received code 1317.

Here are some important things to note when sending money to an inmate in New York:

There is a cost associated with the online, mobile app, MoneyGram, and telephone deposits. The fees are proportional to the amount sent. In contrast, there are no fees for the money left in the visitor deposit box at the DOCCS facility.
The maximum amount you can send through a money order is $999.99, while MoneyGram's maximum transfer amount varies based on its rules.
Before putting funds into an inmate's account, you, the sender, must have the inmate's DIN number, complete name, incarceration facility, and a valid email address.

State prisons, county jails, federal prisons, and juvenile detention institutions in New York have comparable guidelines for paying an inmate's account. Still, contacting the facility or checking their website for additional and accurate details is best.

Counties in New York

List of Content

What Are New York Inmate Records?
What Are New York Prison and Jail Records?
1. What Are the Types of Prisons and Jails in New York?
How To Perform Inmate Search in New York?
How To Contact an Inmate in New York?
How To Visit an Inmate in New York?
How To Send Money to an Inmate in New York?