The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) is responsible for the safety, health, rehabilitation, and supervision of nearly 44,000 incarcerated individuals and over 35,000 individuals on community supervision through the tireless efforts of nearly 30,000 employees. The Department’s greatest concern is the safety and well-being of our employees and individuals within our care, custody, and supervision, particularly during this developing public health emergency. To that end, the Department must swiftly impose restrictions and precautions to prevent additional spread of infectious viral transmission of COVID-19 in both correctional facilities and the community writ large. As this public health emergency rapidly develops, the Department will closely monitor the situation and extend these restrictions as necessary.
Visitation Suspended at All Correctional Facilities.
While this suspension of visitation will be
temporary, the Department recognizes the immediate impact on incarcerated individuals
throughout the correctional system.
However, the current situation demands this significant action to
safeguard the health and safety of all incarcerated individuals, employees, as
well as their families and communities.
While in-person visitation will be impossible to replace, the Department
will provide the following benefits to encourage individuals to keep in contact
with their family and friends during this temporary suspension:
Five (5) free stamps per week for use in accordance with
Directive #4422, “Inmate Correspondence Program”;
Two (2) free secure messages per week via electronic tablet;
and
One (1) free phone call per week in accordance with
Directive #4423 “Inmate Telephone Calls”
This suspended visitation also applies to family reunion
programs. However, legal visits will not
be impacted by this visitation suspension.
Legal visits will be conducted as non-contact (i.e. no physical contact
allowed), as requests are submitted, and that option remains available within
the facilities.
The Department takes seriously its duty to ensure the safety
and well-being of those who work, visit and live in our correctional
facilities, as well as those who supervise or are supervised in the greater
community of New York. During this
difficult time, the Department is appreciative of everyone’s patience and
understanding as we continue to face this virus together.