Visiting in New York (DOCCS)
New York's visiting process — getting on the incarcerated person's approved visitor list and visiting within the facility's posted hours — plus the dress code, ID and body-scanner screening, and Securus video visits.
Visiting an incarcerated person in New York involves getting on the person’s approved visitor list and then visiting within the facility’s visiting hours. Days, hours, and whether advance scheduling is required are set by the individual facility, so confirm the details with the specific prison.
Step 1: Getting on the visitor list
A visitor must be on the incarcerated person’s approved visitor list. The incarcerated person initiates the request, and DOCCS screens prospective visitors. People currently under community supervision or probation, Department employees, volunteers, and contractors may visit only with special permission. These rules come from DOCCS Directive 4403 (Visitor Program).
Step 2: Visiting hours and scheduling
Most facilities admit approved visitors during posted visiting hours; some facilities require advance scheduling, and hours differ by facility and by housing unit. People in Special Housing Units (SHU) or Residential Rehabilitation Units (RRU) are generally limited to one visit per week. Confirm the facility’s current schedule and whether scheduling is required before traveling.
What to wear
Visitor clothing must not be revealing, provocative, or gang-associated. In particular:
- Do not wear green — it resembles what incarcerated people wear.
- Do not wear anything resembling staff uniforms.
Each facility enforces its own dress code at the entrance and may turn away a visitor who is out of code, so confirm the specific facility’s rules before traveling.
Identification and screening
Every adult visitor must show a valid government-issued photo ID. Visitors pass through security screening, and a body scanner is required to take part in a full-contact visit; a visitor with a medical condition affected by the scanner (including pregnancy) may request a medical exemption. Confirm the facility’s rules for bringing children.
What you can bring
Items in the visiting room are tightly limited. Phones, bags, and most personal items are not allowed — lockers are provided. Money for the person’s account is sent through JPay, never handed over at a visit — see Sending Money in New York.
Video visiting
New York offers video visits through Securus (Video Connect). The visitor registers and is approved through Securus, must be 18 or older with a government ID, and schedules ahead. Video visits are not covered by the free-calls policy. Confirm the facility’s video-visit availability and how to schedule.
Verify Before Acting
Sources
This page is compiled from the following publicly available sources. Policies change without notice — confirm current details with the facility before relying on them.