rikers island visit calendar

Incarcerated Person Visit

The Department of Correction (DOC) has resumed in-person visits with enhanced safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. You no longer need to schedule a visit.

Before you visit an incarcerated person at a DOC correctional facility, please review the rules for COVID-19 safety, identification, dress code, and what you’re allowed to bring. You should also check the DOC Virtual Visitors’ Center  for detailed information about DOC’s visitor policies and procedures.

DOC continues to offer televisits for customers unable to visit an incarcerated person in person.

Submit a Televisit Request Form.

COVID Safety Rules

All visitors must follow health and safety rules to limit the spread of COVID-19 in jails.

This includes:

• Completing a COVID screening and affirmation form
• Temperature taking
• Social distancing
• Wearing a face covering

To visit an incarcerated person, you must follow the DOC dress code policy and wear appropriate clothing. This policy is for the safety and security of staff, incarcerated people, and visitors, as well as to maintain a family-friendly environment.

You will not be allowed to go to the visit floor of a jail if you wear:

• Overly suggestive clothing
• More than one layer of clothing
• Clothing in which contraband and prohibited items can be hidden
• Clothing with holes or rips more than three inches above the knee 
• Hooded garments 
• Hats and head coverings (excluding religious head coverings)
• Clothing identifying a specific gang by name or logo 
• Clothing that makes explicit reference to obscene language, drugs, sex, or violence 
• Swimming attire 
• See-through garments 
• Uniforms 
• Jewelry (excluding a wedding ring and one religious medal. The medal must be no more than two inches in diameter and hung on a chain. The chain must be no wider than one quarter-inch in diameter and no longer than 24 inches.)
• Tops and dresses which expose the chest, stomach, or back 
• Shorts, skirts, or dresses with a hem more than three inches above the knee 
• Spandex leggings unless covered by a top, shorts, skirt, or dress with a hem no more than three inches above the knee 
• Outer garments including coats, shawls, ponchos, jackets, vests, gloves, or over-boots or overshoes 

All visitors must wear undergarments.

If your attire violates the dress code, you are still permitted a contact visit if you agree to wear a cover-up garment provided by DOC. If you refuse to wear the cover-up garment, you will be denied a visit.

Secure storage lockers will be provided at facilities. On Rikers Island, you must go to the Visit Control Building to get the coins needed to use a locker.

Learn more about the DOC Dress Code Policy.

Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) for help.

Identification Requirements

Adults and Youth Ages 16 and Older

If you are 16 and older, you must present one form of valid identification to visit a DOC incarcerated person. The ID must have a photograph and signature, and it cannot be expired or altered.  

Examples of acceptable ID include: 

• Driver license (from any state or territory in the U.S.)
• Department of Motor Vehicles non-driver license identification card (from any state or territory in the U.S.)
• Employment identification (from any state or territory in the U.S.)
• New York State benefits identification card (such as Medicaid/Food Stamp Photographic Identification)
• College identification (from any state or territory in the U.S. The college or university ID must show the current semester. If the ID does not have a sticker with the current semester, the student must present a document from the Registrar’s office which says the student is currently enrolled.)
• U.S. Armed Services identification card
• Resident Alien Card or Permanent Resident Card Issued by the U.S. Department of Justice (Green Card)
• Passport (from any country)
• Consulate-issued identification or diplomatic identification

High school IDs are not accepted.

Children Under 16

Children under the age of 16 who are accompanied by an adult over the age of 18 are not required to present any identification.

A 16-year-old or 17-year-old with valid identification may accompany a child under the age of 16 if he or she is the parent of that child and the incarcerated person being visited is also the parent of the same child. In this case, the 16-year-old or 17-year-old must produce a birth certificate for the child under the age of 16.

Prohibited Items

You are not allowed to bring certain items into City Jails, the Rikers Island Visit Control Building, or the Hospital Prison wards. DOC provides a full list of prohibited items online in their Visit Handbook as well as by phone. 

The following is a partial list of prohibited items:

• Guns and bullets 
• Illegal drugs 
• Syringes 
• Knives, box cutters, needles, razors, scissors or any other sharp objects, brass knuckles or any other weapons 
• Tools 
• Metal or glass objects 
• Padlocks 
• Nail clippers and fingernail files 
• Cigarettes, cigars, rolling paper, chewing tobacco, or pipes 
• Tape or other adhesives 
• Explosive devices 
• Matches or lighters 
• Electronic devices, including cell phones, iPods, iPads, MP3 players, e-readers, pagers, beepers, laptops, cameras, recording devices or radios 
• Digital media including CDs and DVDs 
• Law enforcement badges and equipment 
• Liquids and beverages except two clear plastic bottles with non-alcoholic beverages for babies accompanying visitors 
• Metal hairclips and hairpins 
• Non-prescription medication 
• Non-prescription sunglasses 
• No more than a total of three books, newspapers, and/or magazines (except when included in an incarcerated person's package) 
• Photographs (except when included in an incarcerated person's package) 

You are allowed to bring prescription medication in its original container. Except for life-saving prescription medication, all other medication must be stored in a locker and cannot be brought to the facility visit floor. 

Download the DOC Visit Handbook.

Visit Schedule

Monthly visitor schedules and rules for Rikers Island, the Brooklyn Detention Complex, the Manhattan Detention Complex, and the Vernon C. Bain Center are available online and by phone.

• Mondays and Tuesdays: No visits allowed.
• Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays: Visits allowed based on the first initial of the incarcerated person's last name. Check the monthly schedule to find out which incarcerated people may receive visitors.
• Fridays: Visits allowed for all incarcerated people.

Learn more about the DOC Visit Schedule.

Travel Directions

You are encouraged to take public transportation to Rikers Island. The MTA's Q100 bus goes over the Rikers Island Bridge and stops directly in front of the Rikers Island Central Visit House. 

MTA bus routes and schedules are available.  Visit the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) website.

If you drive, there is very limited parking at Hazen Street and 19th Avenue in Queens. You will need to take the MTA's Q100 bus over the Rikers Island Bridge to the Rikers Island Central Visit House.

Get travel directions to Rikers Island and other DOC facilities.

Rikers Visit Bus

DOC provides free bus transportation for visitors to and from Rikers Island Wednesday through Sunday. The bus stops are located in Harlem and Brooklyn.

• The Harlem bus stop is on the corner of East 125th Street and 3rd Avenue. 
• The Brooklyn bus stop is on Jay Street between Fulton Street and Willoughby Street. 

Anyone who is 16 or older must present valid current identification. 

All buses are accessible to people with disabilities and are staffed by trained drivers.

Learn more about the Rikers Visit Bus.

Bus Schedules and Travel Time

The typical one-way route time is 45 minutes for the Harlem stop and 60 minutes for the Brooklyn stop, but it depends on traffic conditions. Departure times may vary from those in the schedule.

Download the Rikers Visit Bus Schedule.

Disclaimer:

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For the first time in more than a year, visitors can return to New York City jails.

In-person visits will be available three days a week and coronavirus protocols will be in place.

• Share full article

By Daniel E. Slotnik

In-person visits resumed at New York City jails on Friday after they were halted for more than a year to stave off the coronavirus, according to the city’s Department of Correction.

The department has struggled since the start of the pandemic, facing surges of violence, overworked guards and staffing shortages , and the department’s commissioner characterized the return of in-person visitation as a positive development for inmates and guards alike.

“We’re really thrilled that it’s starting back up again because we all got to learn how lonely it can be not being able to see your loved ones this year, and that’s when you’re not incarcerated,” Vincent Schiraldi, the commissioner, said in an interview on Friday night. “For people who are locked up, it’s even worse.”

Mr. Schiraldi said that guards were happy to see family members return, and that visits were good for staff because “a calmer facility, where people are happier, is a better place to work.”

But staffing shortages mean that in-person visits could pose a threat, said Benny Boscio Jr., the president of the union that represents correction officers.

He added, “if the Department wants to resume in-person visits, then at the same time we should be provided with the proper staffing levels necessary to conduct visits safely.”

The visits stopped in March 2020 as the virus tore through the city’s jails, sickening thousands of corrections officers and inmates .

People are now able to visit inmates on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and the department recommended scheduling the visits in advance online . Visitors must wear masks, submit a coronavirus self-assessment and have their temperatures taken; and everyone is required to socially distance, the department said in its announcement.

Video chats had replaced visits during the pandemic — Mr. Schiraldi said there had been 60,000 since the program began — and will continue to be available on Saturdays and Sundays, the announcement said. The department will evaluate how to expand both programs in the future.

Mary Lynne Werlwas, the director of the Legal Aid Society’s Prisoners’ Rights Project, said in an interview on Friday that video chats were better than nothing and that she hoped they would remain an option for people who cannot travel to city jails. Still, she said, nothing compares to an in-person visit for inmates and their families.

“You can’t see someone’s health over the video, you can’t hug them, and the televisits were extraordinarily delayed and cumbersome,” Ms. Werlwas said.

The return of visitors comes at a tumultuous moment for the city’s corrections system, which has been plagued with scandals as lawmakers move forward with a plan to replace Rikers Island, the city’s main jail and one of the nation’s largest, with four smaller facilities.

Last month, a report by a federal monitor described a system in a state of disarray and expressed concerns about the agency’s ability to solve its many problems.

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Friday that construction would soon begin on a parking garage and a community space near a new jail planned for Kew Gardens, Queens. The other jails will be in Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx, and the whole program will cost an estimated $8.3 billion.

“Today we move one huge step closer to our goal of a fairer and more equitable jail system for all New Yorkers,” Mr. de Blasio said in a statement on Friday. “Closing Rikers Island will make our city stronger and more just.”

The pandemic is receding in city jails, but vaccination rates there still trail those of other residents. City data show that as of Wednesday just under 40 percent of detainees were at least partially vaccinated , compared to more than 55 percent of city residents as of Thursday.

The vaccine situation and the disruption the virus has caused in the city’s jails are similar to those in other U.S. detention facilities. Prisons, jails and detention centers across the country have experienced devastating outbreaks and generally lagged behind in vaccinations , even after shots were made available to inmates .

Jan Ransom contributed reporting.

Daniel E. Slotnik is a general assignment reporter on the Metro desk and a 2020 New York Times reporting fellow. More about Daniel E. Slotnik

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Rikers Island - West Facility Inmate Visitation

Rikers island - west facility.

Address: 16-06 Hazen Street East Elmhurt, NY 11370 Phone: 718-546-4120

NYC DOC provides free visitor transportation to and from Rikers at the following locations

Nyc doc provides free visitor transportation to and from rikers at the following locations: bus schedule.

Harlem - East 125th Street, at 3rd Avenue.

Brooklyn - Jay Street, between Fulton Street and Willoughby Street.

The typical one-way route time is 45 min for the Harlem stop and 60 min for the Brooklyn stop. This is subject to changing traffic conditions and therefore times may vary from those provided in the schedule as they expand this service.

Call 311 for information about Rikers Visit Bus service.

Inmate Visitation at Rikers Island - West Facility

Televisiting.

Televisiting will take place from 8:00am to 2:00pm on Saturday, and 8:00am to 2:00pm on Sunday. Televisiting follows the Department's existing in-person visit schedule, which organizes visit days based on the first letter of the person in custody's last name. Please refer to the Visit Schedule in order to determine which day of the week you may visit your loved one.

VISIT SCHEDULE (changes monthly)

In-person visits will take place Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.- and Friday mornings from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Visitors need to arrive 1 hour prior to their scheduled visit time. Visits will follow the existing visitor schedule according to the last name of the individual in custody.

Visiting groups may consist of no more than two (2) adults and one (1) child who will sit on one of the adult’s lap; or one (1) adult and two (2) children, at least one of whom is small enough to sit on someone’s lap.

Detainees may receive visits three (3) times per week. Sentenced individuals may receive visits two (2) times per week. All individuals in custody are limited to one (1) visit session per visit day, regardless of the number of visitors in that session.

Can I visit an inmate in Rikers Island - West Facility custody?

Yes, Rikers Island - West Facility, as well as all jails, allow you to visit an inmate.

By federal law, every jail must make provisions for offenders in custody, whether they are pretrial or convicted and sentenced, to receive visits from friends or family. 

Every state has their own policies regarding the amount of time that a jail must provide offenders in their custody, and then every facility gets to set their own rules, number of times, schedules, etc.   Some jails only allow 30 minutes a month. Others as much as an hour every day.

Before visiting, your inmate will have to have put you on an ‘inmate visitor’s list.' Jails can limit this approved list to as few as five people to as many as twenty.

The jail will most likely run a targeted background check on you, checking for outstanding warrants, criminal convictions and other red flags that may indicate to them that you could be a problem for the jail, a bad influence on the inmate or just be someone whose past puts you in violation of their policies.

There are three different types of visitation: •    Video visitation  •    In-person non-contact visitation •    Contact visitation

For security and staffing reasons, many jails have switched to video visitation only. Video visitation, also referred to as remote visitation, is monitored and recorded by the facility. Video visits can either take place using kiosks in the jail’s lobby, from your computer at home, or using an app on your phone.

Most jails, now that the COVID pandemic is behind us, have gone back to ‘in-person non-contact visitation’ even if they have also retained the video visitation programs. In-person visitation takes place in a booth of sorts, with a thick plastic shield separating the inmate and their visitor. Communication is done using old-fashioned telephone receivers like you see in phone booths.

Contact visitation between inmates and visitors in jails is rare. New York is one state that allows this. In a few other states, inmates who have been sentenced for non-violent offenses and are close to being released, may sometimes be allowed contact visits with special permission. A contact visit allows the inmate and visitor a brief hug or kiss, or handshake, both at the beginning and the conclusion of a visit.

Contact visits are also often allowed between inmates and their lawyer, law enforcement officials, and clergy. The downside of any contact visit is that before returning to their units, inmates must undergo a full strip search, which is demoralizing and invasive.

Can I visit an inmate in state prison custody?

Yes, prisons allow you to visit an inmate. Every state has their own limits on the minimum amount of time an inmate is allowed to have for visits from friends or family, however in federal prison, inmates are allowed a minimum of four hours per month.

Once an offender is sentenced to prison, your inmate will have to fill out a document listing you as an approved visitor. If you are not on this list you will not be allowed to visit.

The prison will then run a background check on you, checking for outstanding warrants, criminal convictions and other red flags that may indicate to them that you could be a problem for the jail, a bad influence on the inmate or just be someone whose past puts you in violation of their policies.

Most prisons allow anywhere from ten to twenty approved visitors per inmate, however each visit is limited to no more than four visitors at a time, children included. The list is compiled by the inmate.

Prisons have always allowed contact visits. A contact visit allows the inmate and visitor a brief hug or kiss, or handshake, both at the beginning and the conclusion of a visit. Some state prisons allow inmates and their visitor to hold hands, as long as the hands are on the table where the guards can see them.

However, given the ongoing problem of contraband - namely drugs and tobacco - being smuggled into the prisons by visitors, even the state prisons are moving to non-contact and video visitation. One way the visitors pass drugs to inmates is when they kiss. The drugs, wrapped in a small balloon, are then swallowed by the inmate who passes them through their digestive system later in the privacy of their cell.

What are the scheduled Inmate visitation times at the Rikers Island - West Facility?

The jail visitation times change often.  It is advisable to contact the Rikers Island - West Facility before planning your visit by calling 718-546-4120 .

If the visit is taking place at the Rikers Island - West Facility, whether in-person or by video, you will have to schedule the day and time with the jail.

Video visitation times from your home are much more flexible, often because you are not utilizing on of the few terminals in the jail lobby, and because the companies that handle the video visitation for the jail are providing inmates with hand-held computers, in addition to the video terminals they have in their units. 

We try to keep up with the visitation schedules for Rikers Island - West Facility, as well as every jail in the country. If we do have the schedule, you will find it on the top of this page.

How often can an inmate get visits?

Every state has their own policies regarding the amount of time that a jail must provide offenders in their custody, and then every facility, including Rikers Island - West Facility, gets to set their own rules, number of times, schedules, etc.   

Some jails only allow 30 minutes a month. Others as much as an hour every day.

Some jails require you to make an appointment one week in advance. Others require no appointment and work off the principle of ‘first come, first served’.

Every jail is different, and schedules can change; sometimes due to an emergency, the visit can be cancelled without notice, the moment you arrive at the jail.

Rikers Island - West Facility Visitation

We try to keep up with the visitation policies and schedules for Rikers Island - West Facility, as well as every jail in the country. If we do have the information on how often an inmate here can get visits, you will find it on the top of this page.

How long is a typical jail inmate’s visit?

An inmate visit can range from 15 minutes to an hour in length. We try to keep up with the visitation information for Rikers Island - West Facility, as well as every jail in the country. If we do have the information on how often an inmate here can get visits, you will find it on this page.

Typically, even though an inmate’s visit has a time limit, if you are visiting remotely from your home computer or cell phone, visits can be scheduled led back-to-back, so that even though your visit may have to start and stop every 15-30 minutes, you could visit with each other for hours at a time.

Keep in mind that video visits of this type do have a fee, as you are paying a third-party company. Prices fluctuate, based both on the company and the jail’s policy, but they typically cost about $0.30+- per minute.

How many people can visit an inmate at a jail or prison at one time?

Every jail makes its own policies regarding how many people can visit an inmate at one time. 

The factors that decide on the number of visitors are: 1.    How many people can fit into the visitation area comfortably. 2.    How many staff can oversee the visitation area. 3.    The more people visiting an inmate the more likely that if there is an argument, it is harder to control.

Most jails limit the number of visitors to no more than three or four, with a maximum of two of them being adults.

When doing a video visit from home, there is no limit on how many people can take part in a visit.

What are the inmate visitation rules for Rikers Island - West Facility?

Every jail and every prison have their own unique set of rules that must be followed when visiting an inmate, but in general, these are the guidelines:

Most important, you must first be on the inmate's approved visitation list that they create. •    Expect to have a background check done. •    Expect to be searched, go through a metal detector or pass a drug sniffing dog. •    You must be at least 18 years of age.  •    You must have a valid, government issued photo ID. •    Recently released inmates are either not allowed or must wait 6-12 months before being approved. •    Felons must get special permission. •    Children are allowed but must be with parent(s) or legal guardian. Birth certificate(s) or other legal proof is mandatory. •    Often babies are not allowed, but if they are, you will be allowed one diaper, one bottle and one teething ring, and maybe a baby carrier. •    Parents must be always in control of children. •    You must stay seated at all times. •    You cannot be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. •    No arguments, loud voices or fighting allowed. •    No cell phones or any electronic equipment allowed. •    No cigarettes, drugs, lighters allowed. •    No purses, handbags or backpacks allowed. •    No weapons allowed. •    It is likely that your ID and your car key will be the only things allowed on the visit.

What are the inmate visitation dress codes for Rikers Island - West Facility?

In general, all jails and prisons are the same when it comes to dress codes and what you are NOT allowed to wear to a visit. The Rikers Island - West Facility is no different.

Jails and prisons don’t want you wearing anything too revealing or too gangster. Here are some of the other types of clothing NOT allowed: •    Shorts •    Short skirts or dresses •    Long skirts or wrap around skirts •    Sleeveless clothing •    Low cut shirts or dresses. •    Underwire bras •    Skirts or dresses with slits. •    Sweats or leggings. •    Tank tops or wife beater shirts. •    Excess jewelry •    Hats or headbands •    See-through clothing •    Pajamas •    Sunglasses •    Wigs or toupees •    Uniforms or scrubs •    Heels over 1”

What can I bring to visit an inmate in Rikers Island - West Facility?

In general, the only thing you can bring into an inmate in a jail is either your ID and your car key, or if they have lockers, you can bring in the locker key. 

Prisons are a different story. Typically, prisons have vending machines in the visitation area and allow visitors to bring in a clear plastic purse with coins in it, usually totaling no more than $40.00.

What do I have to wear when visiting an inmate?

Refer to the answer above that explains the dress codes, but in general, if want to know what to wear to visit someone in jail, imagine you are visiting someone’s grandmother for the first time… wear that outfit.

Can we hold hands, hug or kiss during inmate visits?

There are no jails in the United States that allow contact visits as a matter of regular policy, except for jails in the state of New York. Thus, the concept of holding hands, kissing or hugging is not relevant.

On the other hand, prisons do allow contact visitors from friends and family. When this is the case, a brief kiss or hug (or handshake) is allowed at the start of the visit and the end of the visit. Holding hands above the table is sometimes allowed in prisons, but not in jails.

Can friends visit inmates in Rikers Island - West Facility, or just family?

By law, every inmate is entitled to a visitor, whether family or friend. The only exception to that is youths that are being held in secure juvenile detention centers. The only people allowed to visit them are parents, grandparents, legal guardians, and in some cases, siblings.

In addition, they are also allowed visits from probation officers, lawyers and their caseworkers.

What is a video visit?

Video visitation, also known as remote visitation, is quickly becoming the preferred method for visiting an inmate in jail or prison for the following reasons: •    It requires little to no staff, versus the staff required to move inmates to and from the visit and watch over the visit. It saves the Rikers Island - West Facility money. •    It removes any opportunity for contraband (drugs) to enter the facility. •    It can become a profit center for the facility, given that the revenue generated by visits is shared with the jail. •    While inmates prefer to see family and friends in person, video visitation allows them to visit with them more often, and on a whim. •    Video visitation gives the inmates and their visitors the feeling of more privacy. Video visitation from the perspective of the visitor allows them to visit from their home, their car, at work, and even allows them to take their device to a family or religious gathering. It allows them to give their inmate the feeling of belonging and not being forgotten.

Video visitation can take place on a computer, a tablet or a phone. 

Video visitation saves time. Instead of spending hours driving to the jail, checking in, filling out paperwork, potentially being searched, waiting, and then having a 15–30-minute visit, if it isn’t cancelled at the last minute, the visit can be done from anywhere during a short break in the visitor’s day.

If the visitor does not have access to a phone or computer, they can make an appointment ahead of time and use terminals in the lobby of the jail.

You must also be on the inmate's approved list, even for a video visit.

What are the companies that work with the jails and prisons that allow video visits?

There are several different companies that contract with all the jails and prisons that allow video visitation:

These are the companies in alphabetical order:

CIDNET City Tele Coin Correct Solutions Group Correct Pay Ctel Gettingout GTL Homewav IC Solutions Inmate Canteen Inmate Sales iwebvisits JailATM Jpay Gettingintouch (netvisit) NCIC Prodigy Sales Reliance Securus Smart Communications Tiger Services Visitel In addition, some jails use Microsoft Meeting and Zoom .

What is a conjugal visit?

A conjugal visit is a visit where the inmate is allowed to spend anywhere from several hours to a full weekend with their spouse. These visits are private, not recorded, and take place in a building, and an area of the prison away from the general population.

The purpose of the conjugal visit is to keep the inmate’s relationship with their spouse strong. Some conjugal visits also include the inmate’s children. A swing set and other recreational activities are available for the children to keep occupied.

There are no jails in the United States where conjugal visits are allowed, however the state prisons in California, Connecticut, Washington and New York all allow conjugal visits.

To be eligible, you need to be married, in good standing with the prison, have taken courses that prepare the inmates for these type of visits, and other requirements.

What jails or prisons allow conjugal visits?

Only California, Connecticut, Washington and New York state prisons allow conjugal visits. There are no jails in the United States that allow conjugal visits.

Other countries are much more liberal and some even allow prostitutes to visit the inmates on a weekly basis.

What can I do to appeal if my inmate visits are suspended?

An inmate can get their visitation privileges suspended for their behavior both because of their interactions with staff and inmates, or disobeying policy, or because of their behavior during visitation.

A visitor can get their visitation privileges suspended due to their behavior during an inmate visit or if they violate any of the rules and regulations of inmate visits and/or other jail policies such as mail, phone, email, etc.

If either the inmate or their visitor disagrees with the suspension of their visitation privileges, they need to write a letter explaining their position to the Jail Warden, County Sheriff or the Captain in charge of the facility’s visitation.

Address the letter to: Rikers Island - West Facility PhysicalAddressHtml}

The letter should contain the following: •    Inmate’s full name they were booked under and their  Inmate ID# (booking #, etc.). If you know the Unit # and cell #, write that as well. •    The visitor’s (you) full name, Identification Card number (driver's license, state ID, passport, etc.), home address, telephone number and email address. •    Explanation of what occurred that led to the suspension, including the date, time, who was the staff member present, whether it was a face-to-face visit or video visit. •    Why do you believe the suspension was unwarranted. •    A full-blown apology if it was accidental. •    Why it’s important to the inmate to continue visitation. •    What type of suspension you agree to if it happens again.

You should also offer to come to the jail and present your case face-to-face if they are open to the request. It is harder to turn down a person when they are directly in front of you, asking for your help.

In situations like this it is always best to keep the correspondence cordial, professional and detailed. Do not attack the staff member personally. It is always possible that the staff member was having a bad day or was still feeling anxiety or anger from dealing with a previous issue.

Being a correctional officer in a jail or prison is a very difficult thing. They have be ‘on guard’ against physical attacks, manipulations, lies and really bad behavior at all times. They are ‘the enemy’ and they know it. By putting yourself in their shoes when writing or requesting a suspension be reconsidered, goes a long towards a final resolution that you will be pleased with.

Can I visit an inmate in the if I have a criminal record?

In most jails it is required that you fill out a visitation application prior to visiting an inmate. You also have to be approved to be a visitor by the inmate. Even when visiting by video, you will need to give your personal information which includes your driver’s license or state ID number. 

The jail will use this information to do a quick background check on you to see if you have a criminal history or have any outstanding active warrants.

It is most likely that you will also be asked on the application form if you have ever been arrested, been convicted, or spent time in the Rikers Island - West Facility. If the answer is yes, they will want details, dates, etc.   If you lie about this and get caught, you will lose your right to visits for a period.  This is usually between one year and indefinitely.

If you are a convicted felon, you will have to apply directly to the sheriff. If you are a spouse, child or parent, you have a pretty good chance of getting approved than if you are just a friend. On the other hand, on rare occasions, some jails have adopted a zero-tolerance policy and never allow felons to visit.

If you recently did time in Rikers Island - West Facility, it is most likely that you will not be approved for a visit for a period of six to twelve months, starting on the day of your release. It is rare, but some jails have adopted a zero-tolerance policy and never allow previous inmates to visit, even if your previous conviction was for a misdemeanor.

What if I have a criminal record and the inmate is my child, can I still visit?

As explained in the previous answer, there are generally multiple hoops you must jump through in order to be approved to visit an inmate, if you have a criminal record, specifically if you are a convicted felon, or have recently spent time as an inmate in the Rikers Island - West Facility.

However, if you are a parent of a child in jail, that is one of the rare times that the jail will make an exception and allow you to visit.

Can a juvenile in jail or detention get visits?

Juvenile visits are limited to parents, legal guardians and grandparents. Sometimes siblings are allowed, but this is not always the case. If the caseworker or staff of the facility believe that it's in the best interests of the resident to have siblings visit, it will be approved.

Can children visit inmates in Rikers Island - West Facility?

Most jails will allow inmates to receive visits from their children, however if the child is under age 18, they will need to be accompanied by an adult. Further the adult must be able to legally prove their relationship to the child using either a valid birth certificate, adoption papers or paperwork that proves they are the legal guardian.

If there is a ‘no contact’ order in place in which the inmate has lost their parental rights, and this is not disclosed to the jail, then the inmate may lose visitation rights with other visitors or lose other privileges within the jail, as this is a violation of the law.

Because the presence of children can be a distraction for inmates during visitation, and children require a certain number of things (toys, etc.) to keep them busy, many jails are now setting apart certain days, usually on the weekends, for children to visit.

Children also have to be on the inmate's approved visitor list.

To confirm the visitation rules at the Rikers Island - West Facility regarding child visits, call 718-546-4120 to speak to a staff member.

Are babies allowed to visit inmates at the Rikers Island - West Facility?

Most jails do allow babies to visit. They will require a birth certificate. And given the baby’s needs, they allow the parent to bring in extra items to the visitation room; an extra diaper, a few wipes, a clear bottle with fluid, a pacifier and a baby carrier, for example.

There are some jails however that never allow babies in the visiting room. The cutoff age is usually about two years old.

To confirm the visitation rules at the Rikers Island - West Facility regarding baby or infant visits, call 718-546-4120 to speak to a staff member.

How do I check to see if I have a criminal record?

Most people already know if they have a criminal record. Sometimes they do, but it does not show up on a background check. This is usually because the person has undergone a name change at some point, or the name was misspelled when the data was entered by the court. 

The best place (and least expensive) for the most comprehensive nationwide website to find out if you have a criminal record is privaterecords.net , and they only cost $1.00 for 7-day trial.  

Visitation Hours at the Rikers Island - West Facility

TELEVISITING AT Rikers Island - West Facility

Instructions for televisiting can be found on this page:  televisiting page.

• Televisiting will take place from 8:00am to 2:00pm on Saturday, and Sunday.
• Televisiting follows the Department's existing in-person visit schedule, which organizes visit days based on the first letter of the person in custody's last name.
• Refer to the Visit Schedule in order to determine which day of the week you may visit your loved one.

Scheduling a Televisit:

• If you would like to schedule a televisit, you must fill out the Online Televisit Web Form. ONLINE TELEVISIT WEB FORM   When filling out the form, you will be directed to select three potential dates for your televisit to occur.
• In order to make sure equal access is afforded to everyone, you are only able to fill out a request form for the upcoming week. Requests for dates beyond the following week will not be fulfilled.
• IMPORTANT: A visit is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation email at the email address you provided on the televisit request webform . The confirmation email will provide you with the date and time for your visit as well as an access link. If you do not receive a confirmation email within 24 hours of the last requested visit date this means that none of the dates you requested were available.  In that case, you must resubmit another web form with different dates and times.

VISITATION HOURS - ALL FACILITIES

Wednesday -thursday:    in-person visits: 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.  , if you do not have a scheduled visit appointment, your walk-in visit may not be honored if you arrive after 6pm., friday:   in-person visits: 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., if you do not have a scheduled visit appointment, your walk-in visit may not be honored if you arrive after 12pm., saturday - sunday:     televisits: 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m..

It is strongly suggested that all visitors pre-register for their in-person visits. Visitors who do not pre-register, and who do not receive confirmation of their scheduled visit, cannot be guaranteed a visit upon their arrival. Visitors who do not pre-register also may not be able to wait inside, due to social distancing space constraints. To pre-register for an in-person visit please click here .

All Televisits must be scheduled in advance. Click here to schedule a Televisit .

NOTE: the start of visiting hours can be delayed due to unforeseen circumstances.

Facility lockdowns may affect regularly scheduled visit hours.

There are no visits on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Rikers Island - West Facility VISITATION ONLINE FORM APPLICATION

Rikers Island - West Facility  requires visitors to fill out an application prior to your visiting an inmate. The application is actually an online form that schedules your visitation appointment, but all your personal information is collected, including copies of your ID. Carefully fill out the application . An incomplete form is cause for denial. Honesty is important. These things will most likely show up on the background check – which if lied about on the form, if one is done, will cause visits to be denied.

AT HOME REMOTE VIDEO VISITATION

Many jails are implementing video visits. These visits are conducted via the Internet on computers, IPADS and Smart phones. This has increased exponentially with the chaos surrounding the pandemic  Video visits allow the visit to take place in the privacy of your own home. Some family members 'take their inmate with them' to church, the park, the doctor or anywhere else simply by signing in and bringing the device along. Video visits save you from having to get your children ready, drive to the jail, wait in long lines and go through security checkpoints just to see the inmate. Video visitation is slowly gaining favor with all jails in America as jail management realizes the financial savings and reduced security risks involved with remote visitation.

Who is Allowed to Visit an Inmate at the Rikers Island - West Facility?

All visitors 18 years of age and older must present valid current identification that contains a photograph and signature.

A 16-year-old or 17-year-old with valid identification (such as a birth certificate) may accompany a child under the age of 16 if that 16-or 17-year-old is the parent of the child and the inmate being visited is also the parent of the same child. In this case, the 16- or 17-year-old must produce a birth certificate for the child under the age of 16.

In general, anyone 16-years-old or older who can produce a valid government-issued photo ID, can be approved to visit an inmate in this jail, with the following exceptions:

You are on felony parole or probation.

You are on house arrest.

You have open criminal charges for which you are out on bond awaiting court dates.

You have a warrant for your arrest.

There is an order of protection is in place between you and the inmate regardless of which party has the order.

Your government-issued photo ID is illegally altered.

Note: When you register to visit, your ID will be run through a nationwide system and it will alert the staff of any warrants, probation statuses or orders of protections you might have. If there are warrants you will be arrested. If you are on felony probation you will not be allowed to visit. *** There are very strict visitation rules that you, the visitor, and the inmate must follow. Should you violate any of these rules , your visits will be suspended, and if they happen more than twice, you will be suspended from visiting for the remainder of the inmate's incarceration. In addition, your inmate may lose all visitation rights with all other visits.

What is the Visitation Dress Code at the Rikers Island - West Facility?

The Rikers Island - West Facility staff will turn anyone away who is not dressed appropriately for a visit.

The best way to be sure the visit takes place is to dress as if you are meeting someone's grandmother for the first time. 

Visitors WILL NOT be permitted onto the visit floor of a jail if they are wearing any of the following:

• Clothing with holes or rips that are located more than three inches above the knee
• Hooded garments
• Hats and head coverings (excluding religious head coverings)
• Clothing identifying a specific gang by name or logo
• Clothing that makes explicit reference to obscene language, drugs, sex or violence
• Swimming attire
• See-through garments 
• Jewelry (excluding a wedding ring and one religious medal no more than two inches in diameter hung on chain of one quarter-inch or less in diameter and no longer than 24 inches
• Tops, including dresses, which expose the chest, stomach or back 
• Shorts, skirts or dresses the hem of which is more than three inches above the knee 
• Spandex leggings unless covered by tops, shorts, skirts or dresses the hem of which is no more than three inches above the knee 
• Outer garments including coats, shawls, ponchos, jackets, vests, gloves, or over-boots or overshoes (outer boots or shoes that slip over other shoes) 
• Visitors must wear undergarments.

Visitors whose attire violates the dress code will be permitted a contact visit if they agree to wear a cover-up garment provided by the Department. Visitors who refuse to wear a cover-up garment provided by the Department will be denied a visit.

Rikers Island - West Facility VISITATION TIPS, RULES AND GUIDELINES

Jail visits that are in person are typically allowed one brief hug at the start and end of the visit. Attempting more than this will get the visit terminated. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and guardians must provide proof of their guardianship. Children must be monitored at all times or jail staff will end the visit early.

Strollers without electronic or GPS features are permitted to be brought into the facilities. If your stroller has electronic or GPS features, there is an area outside of the central visit area where you can secure your stroller. You must bring your own lock and chain in order for you to secure the stroller.

You are permitted to bring two clear plastic baby bottles, one baby blanket, one bib and diapers with you into the facilities.  No glass containers will be permitted.

On the visit floor you will only be permitted to bring 1 blanket, 1 plastic bottle and 1 baby bib. Extra diapers and all other items can be stowed in a locker at the visit waiting area at each facility.

How to Rent a Tablet for an Inmate in Rikers Island - West Facility

To rent a tablet for an inmate in New York County follow these instructions:

• Register here .  It is recommended you use Chrome or Firefox.
• Pay for the subscription using Paypal.
• You get charged the 1st of each month. 
• You get charged a full month even if it's only used for a partial month.
• No activation or early termination fees.
• Your New York County inmate will recieve their tablet in 3-5 business days, after you pay.

• Call -  800-844-6591 or 972-734-1111 .
• Email -  [email protected]

For all New York County information on Tablet Rentals for your inmate, check out our  Tablet Rental  Page.

How do you Visit an Inmate in NYC Rikers or other Correctional facilities?

To lean about inmate visitation in the NYC Correction Department, read the following:

TELEVISITING (Remote Visitation)

To learn more about the Rikers Island - West Facility inmate visitation procedures, polices and schedules, which change monthly, check out our Inmate Visitation Page .

How Inmates in Rikers Island - West Facility, Rikers Island and the entire NYC DOC Jail System Make Phone Calls

To find out how Rikers Island - West Facility makes phone calls, read this information:

• Inmates in the Rikers Island - West Facility can make 21 minutes worth of domestic calls every three hours, with no call going longer than 15 minutes.
• Inmates in Segregation get less time, and only once a day maximum.
• There is a fee if an inmate wants to buy more phone calling time when incarcerated in the NYC DOC.

For all the information on how to buy time, using tablets to make calls, how much it costs and more, check out out  Inmate Phone  Page.

How to Deposit Money in the Account of an NYC DOC Inmate in Rikers Island - West Facility

To deposit money in the commissary account of an NYC DOC inmate, follow these instructions:

• You can deposit money online using Jpay , Western Union or Moneygram. The money can also be used for bail.
• You can mail a money order of cashier's check into Rikers Island - West Facility.
• You can deposit cash into a kiosk that is located in the Vernon C. Bain Center in the Bronx.

For all the information, including links to all of the online deposit methods and addresses fo mailing money orders, check out our  Send Money  Page.

What is the Rikers Island - West Facility?... Where is it Located?... Who is in Jail There? ... How Many Inmates are There?

• Rikers Island - West Facility is one of twelve jails in the New York City Department of Correction.
• There are 940 beds in the facility.
• There are over 18800 of Bookings every year.

For all the information about Rikers Island - West Facility, how to reach an inmate there, how to find out if the inmate is there, or where he went when he was released, check out our  Family Info  Page.

How to Mail, What Can you Mail and What Can't you Mail to an Inmate in Rikers Island - West Facility, or Rikers Island or NYC DOC Inmates

To understand the Mail Policies for Rikers Island - West Facility requires a lot of time and attention as NYC DOC Jails are some of the most permissive in America.

1. Rikers Island - West Facility allows unlimited mail. 2. They allow packages to be sent in to inmates. 3. They allow magazines, newspapers and books to be sent direct from friends and family. 4. They allow clothing, jewelry, art supplies and all kinds of stuff to be sent to inmates.

In short, to fully understand the Rikers Island - West Facility and see the full list of things you can mail to an inmate, check out our  Inmate Mail  Page.

How to Look Up an Inmate in Rikers Island - West Facility, Rikers Island or the NYC DOC Jail System.

To look up an inmate in Rikers Island - West Facility or any of the New York City Department of Correction follow these instructions:

1. Proceed to the NYC DOC Inmate Locator Page . 2. Type in the inmate's first name, last name or case and book number. 3. If you just type in the first name or last name, you will see a list of every inmate that uses that name. 4. Select your inmate from that list.

For full instructions on how to interpret the information on the Inmate Search Locator including criminal charges, bail, court dates and more, check out our  Mugshots  Page.

How to Order Commissary for Rikers Island - West Facility, Rikers Island or NYC Jails

Instructions for ordering commissary for Rikers Island - West Facility will soon be announced. The New York City Department of Correction is rolling out a new commissary system in the Spring of 2022. Inmates will be able to order commissary directly and have it delivered from an outside vendor. Stay tuned for updates.

This jailhouse 'Uber Eats' system will be replacing the current commissary system.

Stay tuned by checking out our  Commissary  Page for Rikers Island - West Facility

How to Bail out an Inmate in Rikers Island - West Facility or any NYC or Rikers Island Jail

To Bail out an inmate in Rikers Island - West Facility or a New York City Jail follow these instructions:

1. You can post bail either online or in person. 2. To post bail online or in person you need the exact name your inmate used when arrested, and their book and case number. You can find this information here . 3. You can use one of multiple payment systems online.... Western Union , Moneygram or Jpay . 4. In person bail payments must be made in Brooklyn, Queens or the Bronx. 5. Personal checks or Money Orders exceeding $1,000 will NOT be accepted for bail.

For the complete information on how to bail out someone from Rikers Island - West Facility or any Rikers island or NYC Jail, check out our  Inmate Bail  Page.

Photos of this facility

Rikers Island West Facility - Contact Information

• Discount Calls
• Inmate Deposits
• Letters and Photos
• Greeting Cards
• Find An Inmate
• Prison Directory
• Second Chance Jobs
• Ask the Inmate
• Famous Inmates
• True Prison Stories
• Strange Prison Facts

Inmate Mail

• Sent Letters & Post Cards
• Letters From Inmates
• Discount Phone Lines
• Inmate Pages
• Inmates I'm Following
• Questions & Answers
• Order History
• Manage Magazines
• Edit Account Details
• Manage Existing Cards
• InmateAID Wallet($0.00)
• Letters & Photos
• Postcards & Greeting Cards
• Send to Inmate
• Ask The Inmate

Our staff will not be in the office for their safety - please email all communication requests to [email protected]. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

• All Facilities
• Facility Visitation

Rikers Island West Visitation Center

Connect with an inmate.

• Arrest Records
• Send Letters & Photos
• Send Postcards
• Send Magazines
• Find Registered Offenders

General Facility Information

Visitation table of contents.

• What can I expect when visiting.
• Can I bring my inmate anything in the visiting room?
• Can I request longer visitations with the facility?
• Where can I get a visitation application for NYC DOC - Rikers Island - West Facility (WF)? - Click to download.
• What are some of the do’s and don’ts of visitation?
• Visiting an Inmate - 10 easy steps you should know.
• First time in prison?
• A day in the life of a prisoner.
• How to quickly locate your transferred inmate?
• Visiting day at a prison - Things you should be aware of.

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General Visitation Information

Nyc doc - rikers island - west detention center (wf) - visitation.

Visit an Inmate - Facility Locations

• Visitors will be subject to passive canine searches when arriving to the Rikers Island Visit Control Building or the Borough facilities, or any other facility including the Hospital Prison Wards.
• All visitors 16 years of age and older must present valid current identification that contains a photograph and signature. Acceptable forms of identification for all visitors are listed below.
• Children under the age of 16 who are accompanied by an adult over 18 are not required to present any identification at all.
• A 16-year-old or 17-year old with valid identification may accompany a child under the age of 16 if he or she is the parent of that child and the inmate being visited is also the parent of the same child. In this case, the 16- or 17-year-old must produce a birth certificate for the child under the age of 16.

Acceptable Forms of Identification From any state or territory in the U.S.: • Current driver’s license • A valid Employment ID card with photo AND most recent employment paycheck/stub • DMV Non-driver license identification card Other Acceptable Forms of Identification

• Resident alien or a permanent resident card issued by the U.S. Department of Justice
• Passport (from any country)
• NYS benefits identification card (Medicaid/food stamp photo ID)
• U.S. Armed Services identification
• Consulate-issued or diplomatic identification

If you have any questions while at a facility, please ask a Correction Officer or Supervisor Visit Schedule - Last year, nearly 100,000 New Yorkers were remanded to the New York City Department of Correction and on an average day, about 13,500 people are detained in our facilities. Most of them stay here on Rikers Island, where we also host as many as 1,500 visitors daily. We recognize how important it is for inmates and their families and friends to maintain contact with one another. We want your visits to be as pleasant as possible, so we are working to speed up the visit process, strengthen security, improve the Central Control Visit Building and provide information to help you plan your visits. Our mission at every location is to ensure the humane care, custody and control of everyone who is in a New York City jail and to support them in their preparation for release. We offer a variety of programs and services in each of our facilities and partner with other city agencies and non-governmental organizations to sustain their successful transition back into our community. We are committed to the safety and well-being of all New Yorkers and urge you to encourage those who you visit to take advantage of these opportunities. Enjoy your visit! New York City Department of Correction Visit Schedule - Registration and Visit Hours

• There are no visits on Mondays and Tuesdays
• Wednesday and Thursday

Registration hours for all facilities on Rikers Island as well as for the Brooklyn Detention Complex in downtown Brooklyn, the Manhattan Detention Complex in downtown Manhattan and the Vernon C. Bain Center in the Bronx on Wednesdays and Thursdays are from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Visits are permitted from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., but visitors must register by 8:00 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Registration hours for the above facilities on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Visits will begin no earlier than 8:00 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m., but visitors must register by 2:00 p.m. (Please note: the start of visiting hours can be delayed due to unforeseen circumstances.) Number of Visits and Visitors - Inmates are permitted to visit with up to three (3) visitors at the same time, with the maximum number to be determined by conditions set forth in each facility, availability of space and volume of visitors/inmates. Detainees may receive visits three (3) times per week. Sentenced inmates may receive visits two (2) times per week. All inmates are limited to one (1) visit session per visit day, regardless of the number of visitors in that session. Visitors' Dress Code To provide for the safety and security of Department staff, inmates and visitors and to maintain a family-friendly environment, visitors must wear appropriate clothing to visit inmates. Overly suggestive clothing and clothing in which contraband and non-permissible items can be hidden are not permitted. When meeting with an inmate, visitors may only wear a single layer of clothing (except those visitors required to wear a cover-up garment) and NO ACCESSORIES. Visitors WILL NOT be permitted onto the visit floor of jail if they are wearing any of the following:

• Clothing with holes or rips that are located more than three inches above the knee
• Hooded garments
• Hats and head coverings (excluding religious head coverings)
• Clothing identifying a specific gang by name or logo
• Clothing that makes explicit reference to obscene language, drugs, sex or violence
• Swimming attire
• See-through garments
• Jewelry (excluding a wedding ring and one religious medal no more than two inches in diameter hung on chain of one quarter-inch or less in diameter and no longer than 24 inches
• Tops, including dresses, which expose the chest, stomach or back
• Shorts, skirts or dresses the hem of which is more than three inches above the knee
• Spandex leggings unless covered by tops, shorts, skirts or dresses the hem of which is no more than three inches above the knee
• Outer garments including coats, shawls, ponchos, jackets, vests, gloves, or over-boots or overshoes (outer boots or shoes that slip over other shoes)
• Visitors must wear undergarments.

Visitors whose attire violates the dress code will be permitted a contact visit if they agree to wear a cover-up garment provided by the Department. Visitors who refuse to wear a cover-up garment provided by the Department will be denied a visit.

Visit an Inmate

Acceptable forms of identification.

From any state or territory in the U.S.:

• Current drivers license
• Valid Employment ID card with photo AND most recent employment paycheck/stub
• DMV Non-driver license identification card

Other Acceptable Forms of Identification

• Resident alien or permanent resident card issued by the U.S. Department of Justice

If you have any questions while at a facility, please ask a Correction Officer or Supervisor

Visiting with Children

We recommend that families with children under the age of 6 come at the following times: 2:00pm - 5:00pm on Wednesday and Thursday 7:00am - 10:30am Friday-Sunday During these suggested times DOC staff will do their best to expedite families with small children through the line at the Benjamin Ward Visit Center. If you have a child under 6, please speak to the visit greeters located in the central visit area. Strollers without electronic or GPS features are permitted to be brought into the facilities. If your stroller has electronic or GPS features, there is an area outside of the central visit area where you can secure your stroller. You must bring your own lock and chain in order for you to secure the stroller. You are permitted to bring two clear plastic baby bottles, one baby blanket, one bib and diapers with you into the facilities. No glass containers will be permitted. On the visit floor you will only be permitted to bring 1 blanket, 1 plastic bottle and 1 baby bib. Extra diapers and all other items can be stowed in a locker at the visit waiting area at each facility.

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THE CITY – NYC News

Reporting to New Yorkers

Tears and Joy as Rikers Island Resumes In-Person Visits

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After 15 months of waiting, visitors are finally able to see their locked-up loved ones in person on Rikers Island. 

The Department of Correction stopped visitations in March 2020 as the coronavirus swept through the city. Most family contact since then has been through video-conferences.

The visitation process, which resumed last week, is even more complicated than it was prior to the pandemic. 

The jail is only allowing 50% of pre-pandemic capacity to make social distancing easier. Buses to Rikers Island are also only allowed to be half full for the same reasons.

Visitors must sign up for an appointment time online before their trip. After their arrival, they must submit to a temperature check and fill out a COVID questionnaire before going through security. 

The security process is similar to TSA checkpoints at the airport, with some more stringent rules: People are required to lock up most of their belongings before entering the complex unless they have small children accompanying them.

THE CITY spoke with some people who traveled to Rikers Island Thursday for long-awaited reunions. 

‘I Tried Very Hard Not to Cry’

Stephanie Rivera’s husband, Gabriel, has been detained at Rikers for three years. Thursday marked her second trip to the jail complex since in-person visitation resumed last week. Before that, the last time she was in the same room as her husband was March 2020.

“All the other times during [the pandemic] I would see him through the televisits, but that was really hard,” she said. “It is not the same thing.”

When asked how she felt about seeing him for the first time in over a year, Rivera said, “I tried very hard not to cry, because I knew if I cried he was going to cry. But it was amazing because my life feels so empty without him, you know?”

Rivera hopes that the resumption of in-person visitation will mark a turning point in her husband’s case and that they won’t have to wait long for his sentencing to move forward.

“It’s just that coronavirus delayed everything. So hopefully soon it’ll be back on track,” she said. “Everything should be moving forward soon.”

‘He’s Just So Excited’

Jennifer Branford brought her 1-year-old son, Tom, to see his father, who has been in Rikers for about a month.

“Last week, we came for the first time,” Branford said. “It was good. I loved it.”

While her baby is too young to understand what’s happening, she said he was still happy to be with his father.

“He’s just so excited,” she said in between Tom’s baby talk. “He was just so happy to see his dad. He was able to sit on his lap.”

Unclear Timing

Some visitors were tripped up by the new scheduling system. Jenise Sepulveda made the trip from The Bronx to visit her cousin, but wasn’t sure whether she’d be let in.

Sepulveda arrived around 1:30 p.m. in anticipation of starting her visit a half-hour later. But she was left standing in line trying to work through her confusion with a DOC staffer.

“I’m waiting for the lady to talk to me now,” Sepulveda said. Shortly after she spoke with THE CITY, a Correction Department staff member told Sepulveda she would have to wait almost two hours before being allowed to see her relative.

Left to Their Own Devices

Visitors who arrive too far ahead of their scheduled time have to sit in a waiting room after their temperature checks and COVID questionnaires are completed. There’s a TV mounted on the wall and bathrooms nearby, but otherwise, visitors are left to occupy themselves.

“It’s a long process,” said Sophia Garcia as she looked through a diaper bag. 

Garcia came to Rikers with her 15-month-old son, Taylin, to visit his dad.

While the waiting room had little to offer for the adults present, Taylin kept himself entertained by taking items out of his diaper bag and unsuccessfully trying to open an emergency exit.

‘It’s Not the Same’

Laishawn Ramos and her 7-month-old son, Jream, took the Department of Correction shuttle from Downtown Brooklyn to Rikers to see her son’s father. 

Ramos said he had been in custody for 16 months, so the trip was Jream’s first opportunity to see his father in person.

“We’ve done weekly video visits, but it’s not the same,” Ramos said. “I feel kinda nervous. We haven’t seen each other in a while.”

Related Headlines

What to Know When Visiting a Loved One at the Rikers Island Jail

By Kim Kelly

New York City’s notorious Rikers Island jail complex has earned a reputation for brutality, violence , and neglect in its 85 years of existence. As the second-largest facility of its kind in the U.S., Rikers’s very name — an angular switchblade of a word — has long struck fear into the hearts of those sentenced to make that long, lonely trip over the East River to the facility. There are currently about 4,100 people incarcerated in Rikers. Historically, the majority of those held at the facility have not yet been convicted of any crime; they’ve been stuck behind bars while they await trial because they’re unable to post bail — in other words, just because they’re poor.

At one point, 16-year-old Kalief Browder was one of them. The Bronx teen was held on Rikers for three years, without a trial or conviction, for allegedly stealing a backpack — a charge that was eventually dismissed. Much of that time was spent in solitary confinement, a practice that has long been condemned as torture . Shortly after Browder’s release in 2015, he died by suicide. Just last year, Layleen Polanco, a trans woman living with epilepsy, died from complications of the disease after being placed in solitary confinement.

Now, one of my favorite people in the world is in there too. Since October, David Campbell has been locked inside those forbidding walls, doing his best to survive what New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s own lawyer, Alphonso David, has called “a savage and inhumane jail that has ruined the lives of too many New Yorkers.” As a result, I’ve seen firsthand what it’s like to visit a loved one on Rikers Island in 2020.

Following years of campaigning by prison abolitionists and other opponents of mass incarceration, the New York City Council is moving forward with an $8 billion plan to shut down Rikers for good, replacing the massive complex with smaller facilities spread throughout four of the city’s five boroughs. (Activists oppose the construction of those new jails too.) For now, with the shut-down process in its early phases and bogged down by numerous hurdles, Rikers is still standing, and those of us who have friends and family inside its walls must continue to make the arduous journey to visit them. And trust me, it’s arduous . The entire system seems set up to make visitation as difficult as possible, but I’ll explain it, step-by-step, to prepare anyone who finds themself needing to make that trip.

The first time we go visit David, my boyfriend and I leave south Brooklyn at 11:30 a.m. It’s a little after 1 p.m. by the time we get up to 21st Avenue in Queens to catch the special Q100 bus to Rikers. The sign that welcomes you to the island is a gaudy hodgepodge of patriotic symbols, and one big banner declares the prison “ Home of New York City’s Boldest .” We cross the bridge, taking in a panoramic view of the city before the jail complex’s jutting walls and strands of razor wire come into view.

Once the bus stops, a corrections officer comes onboard and reads off a list of items that are considered contraband, telling us to leave any such items on the bus, no questions asked. We go into the first security building, where we are lined up on opposite sides of an invisible line and sniffed at by a hulking police dog. The atmosphere that greets us as soon as we enter the complex suggests that we — the visitors — are on thin ice too, and any wrong move would cost us. It’s nerve-racking.

We file back out into the cold to another building. A guard points us to rows of creaky yellow lockers and tells us to stow our personal possessions — phones, toiletries, purses, Metrocards. We’re ushered into yet another building to go through the first of three rounds of metal detectors. I was especially nervous about this step because of Rikers’s notoriously strict dress code . Clothing is strictly policed , and showing up in anything deemed too tight, revealing, or the wrong color will cost you a visit unless you consent to wear a “cover-up garment” — an oversized neon T-shirt . I was mostly concerned about the restriction on jewelry; only wedding rings and religious necklaces are permitted, and I currently have 13 piercings on my face and body. The day before, I swapped out my metal pieces for glass retainers, and was hoping the guards wouldn’t notice them. Luckily, I make it through, though I am still unsure what threat a nose ring could possibly pose.

We then register with a corrections officer, turning over our IDs, giving our fingerprints (which is apparently optional but I was too nervous to risk gumming up the process), and taking a photo. The officer prints out paper passes with our photo, names, and David’s information and tells us to go wait for another bus. TMZ is blaring on a wall-mounted TV. There’s no indication of when the bus is coming, and no one provides us with any further directions, so we continue to follow along behind more seasoned visitors like anxious ducklings.

The bus to the Robert N. Davoren Center finally shows up, and the drive takes two minutes; we literally just cross a parking lot. We line up outside the door, waiting in below-freezing temperatures. Once inside, we’re ushered into a small room papered with warnings about smuggling in contraband. Eventually, the doors are unlocked and one by one we present our papers again, go through yet another metal detector, have our hands stamped with U.V.-light ink, and enter another waiting room with more lockers where we store our jackets (you’re only allowed to have one layer of clothing in the visiting room).

At this point, I tell one officer that I’m entitled to a two-hour visit because I’m traveling from out of state. He peers at my New Jersey state ID and my Chinatown bus receipt, and denies my request. I remove my belt and shoes a final time to pass through the last metal detector, following a female officer’s request to pull the band of my bra away from my body, pull up my pants legs, and pull down my socks. I pass into the final waiting room, consumed with anxiety as I wait for my boyfriend to join me.

By Ashleigh Carter

By Angie Jaime

By Kristi Kellogg

Inside, a big wall-mounted flat screen is stuck on an empty PowerPoint slide. The other visitors, most of whom are women, stare at the walls. The majority are wearing sweatpants or jeans with plain, neutral-colored shirts. I realize why so many women are wearing Uggs; slip-on shoes would’ve saved us a lot of time. After a few minutes, an officer calls out our friend’s last name. We enter another room and wait.

The grim beige walls are painted with inspirational slogans like “loyalty is royalty.” Across the room, couples hold fast to each other, some sneaking kisses when the officers aren’t looking. Most of the other pairs seem to be in romantic relationships, though there are a few kids there visiting family.

Finally, finally, we get to talk to our friend face-to-face. A low row of plexiglass runs down the middle of the bench, separating us from David and making it awkward to hold hands. He says he’s doing as well as he can. We quickly fall back into our normal patterns, and for a minute, it feels like we’re back at the bar or sitting around my kitchen table — just three people laughing and catching up. Then I reach for my phone to show him some dumb meme, and remember it’s locked up. Reality comes rushing back. Nine months to go.

Our allotted hour passes far too quickly. After what feels like no time at all, an officer strides by and barks, “Visiting time is over! Now!” We hug David tight and tell him we’ll be back soon. As we board the bus, Ginuwine’s “Pony” is playing on the radio, which feels both pleasantly bizarre and unspeakably ghoulish. When we get back to the locker room, I turn on my phone to check the time: 4:17 p.m. We’d somehow been in there for three hours.

With hearts both full and empty at the same time, we head back outside to wait for the Q100. Back over the bridge. Back to our subway stop. Back to our freedom. And next month, we’ll be back to do it all again, until the day we can bring him back over the bridge — away from this hopeless island — with us.

Editor’s note: In an email to Teen Vogue , the Department of Corrections said that a visitor handbook with “all visitor-related information” is available online, and that the security protocols are “designed to ensure the safety and security of DOC personnel, people in our custody, and visitors. The DOC also said they’ve tried to “improve the visiting experience” through measures like creating the visitor handbook and providing children visiting their facilities with crayons and drawing books.

Want more from Teen Vogue ? Check this out: What the Prison-Abolition Movement Wants

Stay up-to-date on the 2020 election. Sign up for the Teen Vogue Take !

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Upcoming Public Meetings

Community Board Meetings will be ongoing through design and construction. Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) meetings are held quarterly, recordings and presentation materials are available here . Please check back for dates as they are scheduled

Tue · March 26, 2024 · 6:00 pm

Community meeting: brooklyn borough-based jail facility construction kick-off, what are the borough-based jails.

The borough-based jails plan is based on three main principles:

• Our jail system can be much smaller with thousands fewer people in jail
• Our jails can be safer with modern, well-designed facilities that promote dignity for those who are held, visit, and work there
• The justice system will be fairer , changing the culture inside the jails, fostering community connections, and providing greater access to services

Jail capacity in New York City is being dramatically reduced. The new facilities will have a total capacity of 3,300, requiring 3,544 beds across facilities in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. Currently, the City’s jail system has 11,300 beds.

The new facilities will be the model for direct supervision housing. Each housing unit will be equipped with ample programming, support services, and medical spaces. Every jail cell will have direct access to natural light and the residential style finishings and furniture will be comfortable and humane.

The jails will be located within the boroughs, increasing access to communities and courts, while allowing people to maintain connections to families and service providers.

INFORMATION

Beyond rikers commitment tracker, closing rikers timeline, the borough-based jail system, how to get involved, construction updates & borough-based jail documents, frequently asked questions.

Rikers Island inmates can again receive…

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Rikers island inmates can again receive in-person visits.

Rikers Island inmates can once again receive visits from friends and relatives starting Wednesday, the Correction Department announced.

Correction officials attributed the change in policy to a decline in coronavirus cases. Visits had been suspended since Dec. 22, around the time when the omicron variant caused a dramatic spike in COVID in the city.

“In-person visits are important because they keep people in custody connected to their families and communities and contribute to their emotional well-being, all of which make our jails safer and more humane,” jails Commissioner Louis Molina said in a statement.

Visitors, ages 5 and up, must show proof of vaccination, such as a CDC-issued vaccine card or New York State Excelsior Pass.

Visitors will also need to take a rapid COVID-19 test and show negative results before the visit. The tests are free and available at the central visit house on Rikers and at the visit center at the Vernon C. Bain Center, the jail barge in the South Bronx. The Correction Department said social-distancing rules will still be enforced.

Visitors who test positive won’t be allowed to visit, but can set up a tele-visit or another in-person visit in the future after quarantining.

Walk-in visits are allowed this week. Starting on Feb. 16, visitors will be required to preregister online.

As of Tuesday the department’s average seven-day COVID positivity rate was 3.05% and the citywide average was 4.02%.

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Welcome to the Table: Rikers Program

To support people’s loved ones inside the Rose M. Singer Center Correctional Facility on Rikers Island, Hour Children’s Visiting and Family Assistance Program provides in-person and virtual services to people detained at the Rose M. Singer Center. Hour Children and the Osborne Association partnered in the spring of 2021 to meet the needs of justice involved people and their families in order to strengthen family connections during detention, facilitate long-term stability, and increase family reunification.

Rikers based services include:

• Visiting support
• Individual support
• Video visits from office spaces with social work support
• “Parenting Virtually” & “Parenting from a Distance” curriculum
• Advocacy services for families with child custody and child welfare involvement
• Supporting family relationships and bonds during separation
• Re-entry planning

Community based services include:

• Community referrals for family members and children
• Post release support
• Support groups
• Teen groups
• Recreational activities
• Support and advocacy for remote learning
• Child based services and support
• Parent advocates for court, child welfare and school concerns
• Mentoring for children

Erica Olivencia, a Parent Advocate with the program, bridges the gap between the parent and their family. When people with children are arrested, they often have very little support with their family court case. Once detained, there is a loss of communication between mother and child. Erica works to keep families connected during this process- pre- and post-release. She assists with supervised visits while the mother is incarcerated, and tries to make the visit feel as comfortable as possible, providing emotional support to family members before the tele-visit or in-person visit and after.  “Building trust with the family is so important,”  says Erica. “ Family court ramps up upon a mother’s release, and they need someone in their corner who will be there for them.”  This wrap-around, tailored support is crucial to our services, especially once someone is released.  “I’m here to support them no matter what and advocate for their choices,”  says Kenisa Ferguson, the Re-entry Specialist with the program. Kenisa works with clients to build a path that works for them, resolves issues relating to incarceration and beyond, and explores options to reduce going back to prison. She connects clients to housing and treatment programs, including substance abuse services, and goes to court with them. HC’s program provides professional clothing for clients to attend court, which boosts confidence within the woman and alters the misconceptions that court officials may have when making their decisions. Communication is central to forming trust with clients. Janeth Rouse, Bilingual Visiting Service Specialist, focuses on providing support for families to ensure successful visits with their mother. She meets with clients in-person for one-on-one settings, and also virtually. In a system that fosters so much mistrust, Janeth says,  “It is traumatic for the families to go through this process. There is so much confusion.”  Rouse helps people with international visits, tele-visits, and is there for the families before and after as a pillar of support and to work through any technical issues they may have.

Meredith Tipper, their newest team member and Social Worker, provides casework one-on-one, parenting support, and general support services. Mental health support is key to people in the re-entry process. Not only does it allow space to recuperate, but it allows assistance in planning their futures and with family support.

Since the news of the transfer of Rose M. Singer Center women and transgender people to Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, Hour Children’s Rikers program has been dedicated to the advocacy and support of the people inside during this time of uncertainty, stress and fear and we are mindful of, and honor, those we have lost on Rikers Island. Many are confused and worried about their move. Our Rikers program has been working to ensure that all people get the services they need upon moving. They have been working with other re-entry service programs, along with the New York State, to make sure this happens.

Megan Pfeiffer, Program Director for the Rikers team at Hour Children, notes that families and people incarcerated at Rikers needed additional support during the COVID pandemic. Megan’s priority for the people inside and the families has been to keep everyone connected to each other. Her team has created the  Welcome Home Nook , which serves as a resource for people coming home after incarceration. They are able to pick up hygiene products, masks, clothing for interviews, and other necessary items. As we look towards the future of the Visiting and Family Assistance Program, our Rikers team continues to support the women, transgender people, and families during this difficult transition.

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Art and Resistance through Education

Rikers island crisis, updated: july 2023.

What is Rikers?

Rikers Island, an island in the East River between Queens and the Bronx, contains New York City's main incarceration facility. In the fiscal year 2022, Rikers Island had an average daily inmate population of 5,559, with 17,803 admissions over the course of the year. For years, activists have been working to bring attention to the numerous human rights violations and harsh living conditions at Rikers, which has been experiencing an ongoing humanitarian crisis. 

It is important to note that Rikers is a jail, not a prison . It is meant to house individuals held by the courts and awaiting trial, and those sentenced to one year or less of jail time. However, some individuals’ cases have persisted for years, one of the most egregious examples of this being the story of Kalief Browder . According to the 2022 Preliminary Mayor’s Management Report, “data shows that the longer one remains in custody, the greater the likelihood that they will be involved in a violent incident.” As of March 2023 , 86.6% of those incarcerated at Rikers are awaiting trial. 

Like the U.S. mass incarceration system as a whole, Rikers disproportionately impacts Black people and other people of color. According to a NYC Department of Corrections (DOC) report, 55.8% of the individuals incarcerated at Rikers between January-March 2023 (average daily population) are Black. Similarly, 60% of the individuals who have spent a year or more in pretrial detention in NYC jails are Black, although only around 24% of NYC’s population is Black.

January-March 2023 NYC DOC Population Demographics Report

What's happening at Rikers?

Due to severe staff shortages and a growing population, Rikers has become increasingly dangerous for the incarcerated population. Many have been kept in overcrowded intake cells while awaiting admission, denied food or access to toilets and showers, been subjected to high rates of COVID-19 infections with inadequate medical care, and denied countless other human rights and services.

In 2022, lawmakers and activists continued expressing concern for the ongoing issues at Rikers Island. In September 2022, Gothamist published a report with photographic evidence exposing the dire conditions at the institution. Concern related to the understaffing, gang violence, crumbling infrastructure, and mistreatment of inmates at Rikers continued to grow.

Due to the fact that the incarcerated population at Rikers Island is projected to exceed 7,000 in fewer than two years, New York City Department of Correction Commissioner Louis Molina has expressed doubt that the jail could stay within the 3,300 population limit and close its doors by 2027. 

Further information:  

“ A timeline on the closure of Rikers Island”, City & State New York

“Never-before-seen images show Rikers inmates…”, Gothamist

NYC Department of Corrections Facilities Overview

10 Years a Detainee: Why Some Spend Years on Rikers, Despite Right to Speedy Trial

June 2023: DOC Will No Longer Announce Deaths at Rikers

As of the end of May 2023, the Department of Corrections has stopped notifying the media of the deaths of people incarcerated at Rikers. DOC chief spokesperson Frank Dwyer said that notifying the media of deaths “was a practice, not a policy.” For the past two years, the DOC included the names of deceased inmates in their press releases,  as well as their housing facility and the date and time of their death. However, the recent shift has led to the DOC misinforming not only the media, but also the federal monitor responsible for overseeing the deaths and injuries sustained by people he ld at Rikers.

Stanley Richards, who was incarcerated at Rikers in the 1980s and later served as the department’s deputy corrections commissioner under Mayor de Blasio, emphasizes that the department is moving backwards, “back to the way in which jails were managed decades ago.” Kayla Simpson, staff attorney with the Prisoners’ Rights Project at The Legal Aid Society, asserts that “it’s part of a series of attempts to isolate the jails from scrutiny to control the narrative.” By not announcing inmate deaths, the DOC masks the reality of the violent conditions within Rikers and cuts of inmates from federal monitors, from the public, and from their families.

Take Action / How to Help:

Reach out directly to your city council member and NYC Mayor Eric Adams to push your representatives to focus on decarceration and invest in community-based treatment programs and social services.

From NY Coalition to Close the Death Camps: Send commissary funds, and fund the inside, or share the fundraiser of someone who is incarcerated. Here are some ongoing commissary funds: 

Survived & Punished NY Mutual Aid Commissary Fund

Repro Legal Defense Fund (includes commissary & bail)

F2L Relief Fund

Parole Preparation Project Welcome Home Fund

Funds for Edgardo Mejias Family

Commissary Funds for M in Rikers

Participate in future social media campaigns like “ Rikers is a Death Camp ” (through which you can share a post about your abolitionist vision for shutting down Rikers) or “End the Letter Ban Inside NYC Jails Phone Zap” (through which participants pressured DOC Commissioner & the Board of Corrections to allow physical letters into Rikers).

Join the mailing list for Freedom Agenda , a New York-based organization that is fighting to decarcerate New York City and redistribute resources to the communities that have been most harmed by mass criminalization and system racism.

Join Freedom Agenda for member meetings on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 PM to take action together and contribute your voice to this movement.

Donate to the Rikers Public Memory Project to support their work to make the closure of RIkers a reality and ensure that its essential problems are never repeated, in New York City or elsewhere; and to make sure that those who are most affected by Rikers can reclaim that history for themselves (from rikersmemoryproject.org).

Sign a petition to demand the mayor, other city officials, judges, and district attorneys cut the number of people held on Rikers, cut the budgets for the NYPD and Department of Correction, shut down Rikers, and invest in housing, healthcare, education, and jobs for affected communities. #CutShutInvestNY

Contact Mayor Adams to shut down Rikers Jail.

Join the Katal Center mailing list to receive updates regarding their work on ending mass incarceration and the drug war in Connecticut and New York.

Organizations/Initiatives: ​

The Confined Arts

Campaign to Close Rikers

Freedom Agenda

The Justice Arts Coalition

Katal Center

NY Coalition to Close the Death Camps

Rehabilitation Through The Arts (RTA)

Right of Return USA

Rikers Public Memory Project

Project NIA

Deaths at Rikers (2023) ​

2/4— marvin pines , 65, 5/16— rubu zhao , 52, 5/27— joshua valles , 31, 7/4— felix taveras , 40, 7/6— ricky howell , 60.

Close Rikers/No New Jails , Josh McPhee (2018)

Deaths at Rikers (2022) ​

During 2022, 19 people d ied at Rikers Island . This is the highest number of deaths at Rikers since 2013, when about twice as many people were incarcerated there.

2/27— Tarz Youngblood , 38

5/7— Dashawn Carter , 25

6/18— Antonio Bradley , 28

7/10— elijah muhammad , 31.

8/30— Michael Nieves , 40

3/17— George Pagan , 59

5/18— mary yehudah , 31.

6/20— Anibal Carrasquillo , 39

7/15— Michael Lopez , 34

9/14— Kevin Bryan , 35

3/18— herman diaz , 52.

5/28— Emanuel Sullivan , 20

6/21— albert drye , 52, 8/15— ricardo cruciani , 68, 9/20— gregory acevedo , 48.

9/22— Robert Pondexter , 59

10/22— Erick Tavira , 28

10/31— Gilberto Garcia , 26

12/11— edgardo mejias , 39.

Learn More:  ​

Tracking the Deaths in the Rikers Island Jail Complex 2022 ( PDF —New York Times—August 16, 2022)

The Q100 bus to Rikers can be a lifeline for families with loved ones inside the jail (NPR—January 19, 2022)

A Look Inside Rikers: ‘Fight Night’ and Gang Rule, Captured on Video ( PDF —New York Times—January 12, 2022)

The future of solitary confinement in New York City jails (NPR—January 9, 2022)

Rikers: The Obituaries. Fifteen people at the jail died in 2021. These are their lives — and how they came to an end. ( PDF —New York Magazine—December 27, 2021)

Eric Adams Says He Wants to Close Rikers. It May Not Be That Simple. ( PDF —New York Times—December 17, 2021)

Rikers Detainees Are Being Transferred From One “Hellhole” to Another (The Nation—October 19, 2021)

How New York City Ended Mass Incarceration for 30 Days and Could Do It Again (Gotham Gazette—October 25, 2021)

No Crime Is Worth That (The Daily—October 14, 2021)

New York's New Death Penalty: The Death Toll of Mass Incarceration in a Post Execution Era (Columbia University Center for Justice—October 12, 2021)

Inside Rikers: Dysfunction, Lawlessness and Detainees in Control ( PDF —New York Times—October 11, 2021)

N.Y.C. Sues Jail Officers, Saying Illegal Strike Worsened Rikers Crisis ( PDF —New York Times—September 20, 2021)

Hochul Orders Release of 191 Detainees as Rikers Crisis Deepen ( PDF —New York Times—September 17, 2021)

AT RIKERS ISLAND, INMATES LOCKED IN SHOWERS WITHOUT FOOD AND DEFECATING IN BAGS (The Intercept—September 16)

Self-Harm Is Exploding In New York City Jails, Internal Numbers Show (The City—September 7, 2021)

Rikers wrath: Families, advocates demand mayor immediately reduce prison population (AMNY—August 31, 2021)

An ‘Absolute Emergency’ at Rikers Island as Violence Increases ( PDF —New York Times—August 24, 2021)

COVID Is Surging Back Into Rikers and NYC Jails (Gothamist—September 15, 2021)

Glaring Racial Disparities Persist in NYC Jails: Study (The Crime Report—April 20, 2021)

January 2022 Rikers Hunger Strike:

In January 2022, around 200 detainees and community members engaged in a hunger strike at the Robert N. Davoren Complex on Rikers Island to protest the jail's unjust and inhumane conditions. Those protesting are asked for basic human services like access to mental health resources.   AMPLIFY: Continue to directly follow and share updates from campaigns led by directly impacted New Yorkers, like  #HALTsolidarity @NYCAIC . GET INVOLVED: Sign up and make continued efforts to support advocacy days from organizations like  RAPP . We will leave this information available as long as it continues to responsibly bring awareness to what’s going on. Always follow, listen to, and honor the work of local organizations led by directly impacted community members first.

Hundreds at Rikers Protest Conditions, Citing Covid and the Cold ( PDF —New York Times—January 11, 2022)

HEAR IT: Prisoners on Rikers Island stage hunger strike against inhumane conditions (AMNY—January 11, 2022)

Rikers Island inmates go on hunger strike over lack of basic services (NY Daily News—January 11, 2022)

Advocates respond to hunger strike in New York City jails (#HALTsolitary—January 11, 2022)

Rikers in 2021: ​

During 2021, Rikers Island, home to New York City’s main incarceration facility, experienced an ongoing humanitarian crisis.  Amidst a breakdown of jail operations, medical staff was unable to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks, and the spread of COVID infections in Rikers became greater than the spread in New York City.

On September 10, 20 21, Ross MacDonald, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Senior Assistan t Vice President of New York City Health and Hospitals Correctional Health Services, wrote an urgent letter to the New York City Council Criminal Justice Committee requesting emergency assistance at Rikers. Afte r 

witnessing the rise of this crisis, MacDonald writes, he does “not believe the City is capable of safely managing the custody of those it is charged with incarcerating in its jails, nor maintaining the safety of those who work there. The [jail] breakdown has resulted in an increase in deaths which we refer to as jail-attributable, where jail conditions meaningfully contributed to the death.” 

At the time MacDonald’s letter was written, 10 people had died in Rikers in 2021, including 4 who committed suicide. Since then, the deaths of 4 incarcerated individuals—42-year-old Isaabdul Karim   ( PDF ), 24-year-old Stephan Khadu  ( PDF ), 64-year-old Victor Mercado  ( PDF ), and 58-year-old Anthony Scott  ( PDF )—have brought the total number to 14. On September 23, In response to Isaabdul Karim’s death, elected officials, individuals affected by Rikers, friends, family, and community groups rallied outside City Hall . Speakers called for Mayor Bill de Blasio and the District Attorneys and Courts to immediately release those held on Rikers, stop sending people to the facility, and shut down the jail complex, among other demands. On Friday, October 15, city and state leaders announced that more than 200 women will be transferred out of Rikers and to state prisons 40 miles north of NYC. This change, which is meant to alleviate the current crisis, will make it difficult for many families to visit their incarcerated loved ones.  

According to Alice Fontier , a Neighborhood Defender Services managing director who toured Rikers Island’s Otis Bantum Correctional Center on September 13, the conditions were “unlike anything that has ever happened [t]here.” Although she’s been visiting Rikers since 2008, the present state of the jail (caused by increasing staff shortages and inhumane conditions) is “the most horrific thing [she’s] seen in [her] life.” 

As an art and human rights organization that works with incarcerated populations, ARTE opposes the inhumane treatment and human rights violations occurring at Rikers Island. We have written this statement to share information and spread awareness about these ongoing violations, offer additional learning resources and support, and guide others towards taking action to help put an end to the current crisis. We would also like to make it clear that ARTE firmly believes in fighting for those affected by the criminal justice system, ending mass incarceration, and implementing transformative justice within our communities. Our current incarceration system is broken and abusive, and our ultimate goals are to combat the systems leading individuals towards incarceration (e.g., police discrimination and brutality, the school to prison pipeline).

While ARTE believes in working towards a future where all people are free, we also believe that all young people deserve the right to education and the arts. Over the last several years, ARTE has partnered with other justice organizations to engage incarcerated young people in visual arts programming focusing on women's rights, gender equality, and toxic masculinity. With the COVID-19 pandemic necessitating the shutdown of in-person programs, ARTE transitioned to a remote version of this work to continue fighting for liberation and with the hope that young people on the inside will know they are never forgotten.

To further contextualize ARTE’s work in jails, we would like to share some information about the importance of art in incarcerated spaces. Prison art continues to be widely overlooked in the mainstream art community, thus depriving incarcerated community individuals of the opportunity to creatively express themselves and perpetuating the lack of educational and art resources in these institutions. Although every facility in the United States has different regulations in regards to commissary items, most incarcerated community members do not have ready access to pencils, pens, and paper. 

The punitive nature of the incarceration system is designed to strip individuals of their identities and values as human beings. As a counteracting force, art presents a creative outlet for individuals to express themselves and can be a powerful method of transformation.  ( Artnews.com , Prison Insight , Marking Time ). Most importantly, prison art works as a form of resistance against prison life and toward uplifting humanity, rehabilitation, self-expression, and liberation. 

• Visit a Person in Custody
• Visit Schedule
• Visit Transportation
• Visiting with Children
• Visitors' Dress Code
• Visitor Satisfaction Survey

Inmate Visit Schedule - November 2021 A-L = Visits open to inmates whose last name begins with any letter between A and L, inclusive.

M-Z = Visits open to inmates whose last name begins with any letter between M and Z, inclusive.

A-Z = Visits open to all inmates.

--- = Closed, No visits today. ADVISORY: * Thanksgiving Day (11-25-21)         Registration Hours changed to 7:00 am - 2:00 pm         Visitation Hours changed to 8:00 am - 4:00 pm