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The 6 best crime tours in NYC

Visit former mafia hangouts, gang war battlegrounds and haunted buildings on these bone-chilling crime tours in NYC

Look past the hip cafes and organic grocery stores in any New York City neighborhood and you’ll find it: evidence of the city’s sordid past. If you know where to look, you can find old mob hangouts, gang war battlegrounds and haunted places sprinkled all around the five boroughs. That’s where these crime tours in NYC come in. Instead of hitting all the big New York attractions, these walking tours in NYC focus on the city’s secrets – a dark history that some would be keen to forget. Once you’ve visited former bootlegging depots, secret underground tunnels and the final resting places of notorious mafia bosses, you might just see the city in a new light.

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to New York City tours Full guide to  hotels in New York Best ghost tours in New York City

This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click  here .  

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

NYC crime tours

1.  mafia tour and food tasting.

Fuhgeddabout The Godfather . Find out what New York’s 20th-century mobsters, like Lucky Luciano and Carlo Gambino, were like as you walk past former East Village tenements, alleyways, social clubs and funeral homes that played a part in their criminal empires. Enjoy a Sicilian meal in Little Italy while you soak up the history.

Where to eat nearby:  One of the best pizzas in Little Italy? You'll find it at Da Nico Ristorante . 

2.  Greenwich Village Ghost Tour

One of the city’s oldest neighborhoods is also home to some of its oldest residents – even if they now only reside there in spirit. Leave your scaredy pants at home for an afternoon of morbid tales about the nabe’s ghosts, from ancient spooks and menacing apparitions to recently spotted ghouls.

Where to eat nearby:   Olio e Piu  is a popular spot for lovers of Italian plates and happy hour drinks. 

3.  Little Italy Gangs and Crime Private Tour

Uncover the truth about New York’s seedy criminal underworld on this tour of two neighborhoods that were once notorious for their gang activity. In Little Italy, you’ll discover a pizzeria that doubled as a drug ring and bars featured on The Sopranos . Next, in Chinatown, you’ll visit the Bloody Angle and check out secret tunnels used by gangsters on the run from the cops.

Where to eat nearby: Rowdy Rooster is an East Village gem serving Indian-inspired fried chicken burgers – that can be spiced to the extreme upon request. 

4.  Gangsters and Ghosts Tour of New York

It’s fitting that the New York County Courthouse is smack dab in the middle of the neighborhood once known as Five Points, where five families waged bloody gang wars for decades. Visit historic landmarks like Curb Exchange, a former bootlegging depot, and Old St. Patrick’s Church, the city’s oldest Catholic church. You’ll even spy a few filming locations from The Godfather trilogy. Watch out for the ghoulies though. 

Where to eat nearby:  NYC's oldest deli, Katz's , is just a 10-minute walk from Basilica of St Patrick. 

5.  NYC Gangster and Mob Private Walking Tour

Don’t want to mingle with the public on your tour? Spring for this private walk for up to 10 people. You’ll visit the spot where the infamous Dead Rabbits Riot occurred, the battleground between the deadly Tong gangs in Chinatown and former hangouts of mafia dons in Little Italy. 

Where to eat nearby:   Mei Lai Wah  is a beloved Chinatown bakery and coffee shop known for its delectable and affordable soft steamed buns.

6.  Private Mafia Tour by Luxury Vehicle

Ride through Manhattan in style—like the dons of the mafia once did—in a luxury vehicle on this private tour. You’ll focus on mob hangouts frequented by bosses like John Gotti, including ritzy steakhouses, exclusive social clubs and extravagant homes. To get even more insight into the mob mentality, extend the tour by two hours and venture into Queens to visit Gotti’s former home, high school and final resting place.

Where to eat nearby: Sparks Steak House features on the tour, but if you want to dine there you'll have to make a reservation – and fast . 

Looking for more tours in NYC?

Eight things in nyc you can only do on guided tours.

• Things to do
• Walks and tours

Still, guided tours aren’t just for the most well-known New York attractions: They can also give you a behind-the-scenes look at what some call the “secret New York.”

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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.

Visiting schedules are based on the first letter of the incarcerated individual’s last name. Visitors should check the visitation schedule to be sure their friend or family member is eligible for a visit on a specific day.

• Mondays and Tuesdays: No visits allowed.
• Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays: In-person visits based on monthly schedule.
• Fridays: Televisits only.

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.

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“I crossed the line, with Late Tour Crime”

The one, the only and the original late tour crime, a tour of new york city at night, told through the narration of cops who handled these very crimes. see new york through the eyes of a former nypd officer who will act as your guide. police officers refer to “the late tour” as the shift that starts after dark when the city is at its most dangerous. late tour crime tours offers a once in a lifetime experience to cross the police line and look behind the scenes at some of new york city’s most famous crimes and rescues as told by the officers who actually handled them..

Be guided through time and explore the historic crimes that shaped the city that never sleeps.

Former NYPD cops give you a faithful retelling of the actions and the consequences of some on NYC’s most historic criminal events.

exploration

Explore from the pinnacle of the World Trade Center to the depths of the NYC Subway system.

Book a tour

Take an evening tour of New York City with “Late Tour Crime”. Our luxury vans depart at 7:30 PM and end at about 10:30pm. In addition to learning about the various crimes, murders and rescues you will explore NYC from The World Trade Center in NY’s Financial District and visit other parts of NYC including Chelsea, Midtown, Times Square, the Upper Westside, Central Park and the East side.

About The Tour

See and learn about the gruesome cold-hearted murder of John Lennon. Hear from the Police Officer who last saw John Lennon alive as he made all attempts to save his life. Hear from the officer who cleared the fuselage of flight 1549, at the Miracle on the Hudson. Stand witness to the details of the Nancy Spungen Murder and the back-story of her accused lover, Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols. Learn about “The Crime of the Century” and of the highly esteemed architect, Stanford White, shot at point bank range as he sat in the audience in the Madison Square Garden Theater, that he designed during the opening night of “Mam’zelle Champagne”. Learn first-hand, the dark history of the second most visited site in the world. Learn the historic events that surrounded the cold-blooded assassinations of New York City Police Officers. Visit ground zero and learn of a first-hand experience of life and death from former Police Sergeant John Moran and co-founder of Late Tour Crime. Visit other notorious crime scenes including the “Preppy Killer” and the “Subway Vigilante”.

COME CROSS THE LINE

John Moran  and  Glen Hallahan , former NYPD Supervisors and veterans of NYC’s most violent era come together to share their city, their experiences and the experiences of others who have honorably served in the NYPD.

Former Police Detective Sergeant  John Moran  fought crime and served the community in Central Harlem’s 32nd Police Precinct. He was assigned to the NYPD’s elite Street Crime Unit, Narcotics Enforcement Units, and a federal task force on organized crime. Sgt. Moran was involved in three street encounters that resulted in the exchange of gun fire with armed perpetrators and executed countless search warrants in New York City’s most dangerous narcotics locations. John put his life on the line in the service of this city and is a well-respected veteran of policing.

Glen Hallahan

Former Lieutenant  Glen Hallahan  is one of the NYPD’s most decorated veterans accumulating over 200 awards for his actions while serving the residents of the city of New York. He started his career in Manhattan’s 23rd police precinct in Spanish Harlem. Lieutenant Hallahan has served in the most dangerous communities in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. He worked for six years in the NYPD’s elite Street Crime Unit. Glen exchanged gunfire with armed perpetrators on two occasions and was able to bring those violent offenders to justice.

With over 42 years of combined Police Experience the two, now Private Investigators are making available to the public what is called; “the closest thing to working in a Police Radio Car” in NYC. The challenges, benefits, danger and experience of policing are discussed with your tour guide, a former NYPD Officer. Let us tell you about New York City through the eyes of a City Cop.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to expect.

Our evening only tours will bring you through the streets of New York City. Your tour will be guided by a former NYC Police Officer. You will be brought to some of New York City’s most notorious crime scenes and heroic police rescue locations. We will give you some insight as to what it is to be a New York City Police Officer, Detective or Supervisor.

IS THIS APPROPRIATE FOR CHILDREN?

Crime, murder and horrific events are discussed. We would rate our tour as a “PG 13” tour. This tour is not for small children. No child under 18 will be permitted without a parent. Violence, foul language, and graphic content are part of the tour.

HOW LONG WILL WE BE IN THE VEHICLE?

We try to keep the entire tour under 3.5 hours and will permit people to exit the vehicle at most stops. We take a bathroom and food break during the tour. The vehicles are 12 passenger luxury vans.

CAN I BRING BAGGAGE?

Space in van is limited and we request that only a small bag/pocketbook/backpack be carried. The bags will have to be kept in your personal space.

IS FILMING PERMITTED?

We certainly permit and encourage you to take photographs, however some locations are sensitive, and we ask that you remain respectful to people’s privacy. Audio and video recording is not permitted from inside the Late Tour Crime Vehicle.

HOW MIGHT I GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU?

By email at [email protected] . Once you book a tour you will be given a number you could text to.

HOW MIGHT I PAY FOR A TOUR?

Tours are booked by credit card/debit card only.

WILL WE GO ON TOUR IN INCLEMENT WEATHER?

We intend on running tours under most inclement weather circumstances, however severe weather system may cause cancellations, you will be notified.

WOULD I BE ABLE TO DROP OR CHANGE MY TOUR?

Cancellation must be made 24 hours in advance.

HOW WOULD I GET A REFUND?

Refunds will be credited to the card used.

CAN WE BOOK TOURS AS A GROUP?

Tours could be booked in groups; exclusive group tours are available and must be set up via email in advance.

ARE THE TOURS HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE?

There are no special accommodations for persons with disability, however we will do whatever is necessary to assist anyone who would have difficulty entering and exiting a van or walking short distances. See comment about walking in FAQ.

IS THERE MUCH WALKING?

Guest will leave the tour van at some locations and walk several hundred yards. Remaining in the van is your option however you may miss the narration of the crime.

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• 7 Prison Museums You Can...

Prison Museums You Can Visit Across The US

With over 100,000 prisons and jails around the globe, historic jail cells and prison museums have become a huge draw for tourists, and the US is no different – the states has over a dozen historic prisons to discover. From Alcatraz Island’s remote location off the shores of San Francisco to Eastern State Penitentiary’s famous haunted cells, learn about the histories and tales that characterize the past of these seven U.S. prisons.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips , compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips .

Alcatraz, California

Alcatraz is reputed to have housed some of the most dangerous prisoners of the 20th century, including mobster Al Capone and gangster Alvin Karpowicz ; referred to as ‘the prison system’s prison,’ Alcatraz received the most difficult inmates. Built on an island off the coast of San Francisco, ‘The Rock,’ as it was nicknamed, made for a challenging escape, although over a dozen attempts were made – none of which were successful. Alcatraz was originally built in the 1850s as a U.S. military fortress and housed military prisoners until 1933, when it was renovated as a maximum-security prison. Alcatraz could hold 260–275 prisoners during its time of operation, less than one percent of the entire federal inmate population, but officially closed its doors in 1963 due to its high operating costs.

Eastern State Penitentiary, Pennsylvania

Eastern State Penitentiary (ESP) was part of a controversial movement in the early 1800s that advocated the use of solitary confinement and hard labor to alter the behavior of inmates. Designed in a ‘radial-style’ floor plan, ESP was one of the most costly buildings of its time, with vaulted ceilings, skylights, and 253 cells, each with its own toilet, running water, and heat. The layout and practices at ESP were so popular that they were replicated in over 300 other prisons worldwide; by the early 1930s, however, the prison abandoned the solitary confinement system, replacing it with other severe forms of punishment. Operating from 1829–1971, the prison held some of the nation’s most infamous criminals, including Al Capone (before his time at Alcatraz) and Willie Sutton ; today, it’s considered one of the most haunted buildings in the world.

Sing Sing Prison, New York

Home to the first electric chair (‘Old Sparky’), the famous Babe Ruth baseball game , and some of the nation’s most notorious criminals, like Albert Fish and David Berkowitz , Sing Sing is one of America’s most famous prisons. Built by 100 prisoners from another local prison, Sing Sing was one of the most impressive prisons of its kind upon its completion in 1828. Originally modeled after Captain Elam Lynds’ ‘silent system’ – the use of ‘hard work, community activity and silent reflection’ to alter inmate behavior – the prison eventually moved to a more modern approach that used sports to teach discipline, introduced by Warden Lewis Lawes . While the prison still holds more than 1,500 inmates today, plans for turning the prison’s 1939 power plant into a 22,000-square-foot museum are in the making. Visit the museum in the meantime, located in The Ossining Historical Society Museum .

Ohio State Reformatory, Ohio

The Ohio State Reformatory , also known as the Mansfield Reformatory, was constructed between 1886 and 1910 to act as an ‘intermediate penitentiary’, or the half-way point between the Boys Industrial School and the Ohio Penitentiary. In the mid-1800s, the land was originally used as Civil War training grounds; in 1884, plans for the new prison were approved by the state. Designed by Levi T. Scofield, the reformatory featured Victorian and Romanesque architectural styles, believed to encourage inmates to get in touch with their spiritual side. In 1990, the Boyd Consent Decree deemed the prison overcrowded and unsanitary – over 200 inmates had died during its operation – forcing it to close its doors. Today, the prison operates as a museum, and has been included in many famous films like The Shawshank Redemption ( 1994).

West Virginia State Penitentiary, West Virginia

After separating from Virginia at the height of the Civil War, West Virginia lacked many public institutions, including a prison. After repeated denials, the West Virginia Legislature finally purchased the land for the West Virginia State Penitentiary in 1886. Completed using prison labor in 1887, the prison’s design featured stone walls and Gothic architectural elements like turrets and battlements, modeled after a prison in Illinois , and included a hospital and chapel, adding a school and library later on. There were other services, like a carpentry shop and bakery, that provided jobs for inmates, making the prison self-sufficient. Despite its good conditions at the turn of the century, the prison went into a state of decline: there were over 36 homicides, a prison break in 1979, and a riot in 1986. The prison was ordered to shut down by the Supreme Court in 1986; it officially closed its doors in 1995. It was listed as one of the US Department of Justice’s Top Ten Most Violent Correctional Facilities and played host to 94 executions from 1899–1959: 85 by hanging and nine by electric chair. It is also considered one of America’s most haunted prisons.

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Old Idaho Penitentiary, Idaho

Old Idaho Penitentiary , once known as the Territorial Prison, was constructed in 1872 as a single-cell house; over the years, the prison expanded to include several buildings, as well as a 17-foot-high wall surrounding the complex. Over 101 years, until it closed in 1973, the Old Idaho Penitentiary received over 13,000 inmates, 215 of them women, and housed infamous convicts like Harry Orchard and Lyda ‘Lady Bluebeard’ Southard . The prison, however, was known for having unsuitable living conditions, and many inmates responded to these conditions with riots in 1971 and 1973. After its closing in 1973, the prison was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Yuma Territorial Prison, Arizona

Yuma Territorial Prison , now a historic state park , opened its doors in 1876, and its first inmates were seven men who were responsible for constructing the prison. During its 33 years of operation, the prison housed 3,069 prisoners, 29 of them women, and despite its infamous reputation, it is said to have had humane conditions – prisoners made hand-crafted items that were sold at Sunday public markets and they received regular medical attention; the prison also had one of the first public libraries in the territory, where prisoners learned how to read and write. No executions took place here, but over 26 inmates escaped and over 100 died (most from tuberculosis). By the turn of the century, the prison was overcrowded, so a new facility was built in Florence, Arizona , and the prison officially ceased operations in 1909.

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• Prisons/Jails
• Inmate Search
• Visiting Applications

Visiting an inmate in New York City

Visiting applications and rules for visiting new york city/rikers island inmates.

When a family member or close friend goes to jail and cannot be bailed out immediately, one of the first things people want to do is visit the inmate.  Before you can visit your inmate in one of the jails in New York City or Rikers Island you will need to know a few important things:

• All visitors who are over 16 are required to present a valid photo ID that also contains a signature.  Acceptable forms of identification are a current valid driver's license, employment ID that includes a photo and signature, a state identification card, a passport, U.S. Military ID, or resident alien/permanent resident card issues by the United States Department of Justice.
• All minors must be accompanied by an adult.  If the minor is under 16 years old they will not be required to provide identification.
• All visitors must pass through a metal detector and may be searched upon entering into the visitation area.
• Never try to give the inmate an unauthorized item during visitation.  This will result in disciplinary actions and possible criminal charges against you.
• Never bring drugs, or weapons into a correctional facility, this will result in your arrest.
• You are allowed to bring personal items into an inmate as long as they adhere to the criteria outlined here .  You are allowed to bring certain jewelry, clothing, and stationary supplies but they must not violate the departments directive found here .

Dress Code for Visitors of New York City Jails and Rikers Island Facilities

For the safety and security of visitors, inmates, and staff, all visitors are required to follow a strict dress code.  Failure to follow the dress code will result in a denial of visitation.  We recommend you always bring a change of clothes that you leave in your car just in case an item of clothing you are wearing is deemed inappropriate you will be able to quickly change.

• When visiting you must refrain from talking to other visitors and inmates other then the one you are their to visit.
• Visitors may only wear a single layer of clothing when they enter the visiting area.  Multiple layer clothing is not allowed as it can be used to smuggle contraband.
• Any pants, shorts, skirts, or dresses must come no higher than three inches above the knee.
• No clothing is allowed if it has holes or rips above the knees.
• No hats, sunglasses or items that cover the face are allowed to be worn, unless it is for religious purposes (in which case it may still be removed and searched).
• Do not wear jewelry to visitation, it can set off the metal detector and is generally not allowed.
• Bathing suits and swim attire is not allowed, this includes flip-flops, sandals and slippers.
• Visitors may not wear Spandex or leggings unless they are covered by additional clothing that comes to no more than three inches above the knees.
• You may not visit while wearing coats, shawls, jackets, gloves, ponchos, or vests.  Dressing in layers is not allowed.
• Any clothing that exposes the midriff, back, shoulders, cleavage, thighs or other excessive skin is not allowed.
• Sheer and see-through clothes are not allowed.
• Clothing that contains offensive language or images is prohibited.
• Uniforms, including doctors, nurses, military etc are not allowed to be worn for security reasons.
• Clothing that is gang related is prohibited.
• Hooded clothes are not allowed.
• All visitors are required to wear underwear.
• Cover up garments will be provided if an item of clothing you are wearing violates the dress code, refusal to wear it will result in a denial of visitation.

If you have a question, or have already visited an inmate in a New York City Jail and would like to share your experience, or if you know of some other useful information related to visiting an inmate in New York City, leave us a comment below.

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Call 212-577-3300

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What You Need to Know About Prison Visitation

Procedures for prison visitation vary for city and state prisons. Find the information you need below.

• Visiting a New York City Jail

How many people can visit?

Generally, incarcerated people are permitted to see up to three visitors at the same time. However, the maximum number can vary depending on space and other conditions in each jail, such as space and the number of visitors at any given time. People incarcerated before trial are usually allowed three visits during a week, each on separate days. Sentenced individuals may have two visits per week, on separate days. You can learn more here .

Are there age requirements?

Children may visit.   Children under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult who is 18 years or older and has proper identification.  A teenager who is 16 or 17 years old may visit without an adult, but may not act as an adult escort of a child under 16,  unless both the visitor and the incarcerated person  are the child’s parents.

When can I visit?

There is a visitation schedule of dates and hours based on the last name of the person incarcerated. Visits must occur at certain times on specified days. Friends and family can obtain this information at the Department of Correction website .

What forms of ID are required?

You must have the proper identification.  Check the DOC website to be sure you have the right one.  Every adult visitor and unaccompanied minor aged 16 and 17 must have one form of valid identification containing a clear photograph and signature. A valid identification card must be unexpired. Examples of valid identification documents include:

• Drivers license with photo and signature (including out of state licenses)
• Alien photo I.D. card/passport
• School identification card
• Employment identification card
• Food stamp card
• U.S. Armed Forces I.D. card
• New York State Department of Motor Vehicle Non-Driver License I.D.

Prohibited Items

The following items are not permitted inside a City jail:

• Cellular telephones
• Electronic equipment
• Recording devices
• Weapons including firearms, ammunition, and knives
• Drugs, alcohol, and beverages
• Visiting a New York State Prison

How do I visit a New York State Prison?

Visiting days and times in the state system vary from prison to prison. Before visiting a person in a state prison, check on the schedule for that facility. You can learn more here .

How do children visit?

Children of incarcerated people do not need pre-approval, and will be allowed to visit without written permission. Minors must be accompanied by an adult and must have written permission from a parent or guardian if the accompanying adult is not a parent or guardian.

Proof of identity is required. Acceptable identification includes any picture ID, a document with the visitor’s signature on it, or birth or baptismal certificates. However, we strongly recommend that you bring a government-issued identification, as people have experienced difficulties when they present non-government based identification.

What is prohibited?

Do not bring cell phones, memory cards, weapons, drugs, chewing gum or alcohol into the prison. Contraband is prohibited, as is inappropriate attire. Medication must be declared when the visitor enters the facility. All persons entering a correctional facility are subject to search.

How can I travel to a state prison?

Video visits are available in some NYS prisons, from certain public libraries and the Osborne Association. A number of organizations operate buses for a fee. For more information about family visitation at prisons and transportation, contact the Osborne Association at 212-324-5577 or visit their website.

More information on state prison visits.

You can find even more information about visiting DOCCS here .

• Video Visitation

For clients in DOC facilities, hour long video visitation for families (defined broadly) can be arranged through the public library in your borough.

Bronx | Manhattan | Staten Island The New York Public Library Call: 646-397-7618 or 347-561-1102 Email: [email protected]

Brooklyn Brooklyn Public Library Call: 718-916-9408 Email: [email protected]

Queens Queens Library Call: 718-990-5104 Email: [email protected]

For youth in secure juvenile detention (16-17 year old clients), video visitation through the library system must be arranged through case management in the facilities and individuals must be on the approved visitation list.

More information is available here .

The information in this document has been prepared by The Legal Aid Society for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. You should not act upon any information without retaining professional legal counsel.

On This Page

More resources about bail & incarceration, what you need to know about bail, what you need to know about the treatment of transgender persons in custody, what you need to know if a person in custody has been sexually assaulted, what you need to know about medical and mental health needs in custody.

Last Updated: 5 January 2024

2024 The Legal Aid Society. All Rights Reserved

Copyright 2024 Department of Correction. Usage Policy

Purchase Tickets

• Eastern State Penitentiary
• Halloween Nights

• Directions & Parking

Daytime Prison Tours

Explore Eastern State's historic cellblocks. Learn about the history of the penitentiary and its relevance today.

Please visit EasternState.org for the current museum operating schedule. Hours of operation are subject to change.

Tickets are available  online  or at the door, subject to availability.

All of our daytime programming ( “The Voices of Eastern State" Audio Tour ,  Guide-Led Tour and Discussion , Mi ni Tours , artist installations , and  exhibits ) is included in one admission price.

Planning a visit to Eastern State? Be sure to check out our Plan Your Visit page . It includes information about when to arrive, where to park, what to expect of the tour, and much more.

Discounted tickets are available for groups of 15 or more .

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No additional details were immediately available.

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Pope, 87, Embarks on ‘Physical Test’ in Grueling Asia Tour

The 11-day trip, a signal that Francis does not intend to slow down, requires nearly 45 hours of air travel and meetings in tropical climates.

By Emma Bubola

Reporting from Vatican City and Jakarta, Indonesia

Pope Francis left Monday on an 11-day trip to the Asia-Pacific region, the longest and among the most complicated of his tenure. It could be particularly challenging for Francis, 87, who has been using a wheelchair and battling health problems.

But the trip, which includes a stop in Indonesia — the world’s largest Muslim majority country — also signals he has no intention of slowing down his outreach to faraway Catholics.

Francis will visit four countries for a total of about 20,000 miles by plane. From Indonesia he goes to Papua New Guinea, then East Timor and Singapore, as he deepens his engagement with Asia, one of his priorities.

The trip will include more than 43 hours of air travel and meetings with local faithful, clergy and politicians in cities with tropical climates or high levels of pollution on the other side of the world from Rome.

“It’s a physical test,” said Massimo Faggioli, a professor of theology at Villanova University, “and a sign that this pontificate is far from being over.”

Why is he visiting these countries?

The pope chose four island nations as he extends his outreach to what he calls “the peripheries,” a term for overlooked, faraway places with small, minority or persecuted Catholic communities. The trip is also one of Francis’ boldest engagements with Asia, a fast-growing part of the world, which the pope has always regarded as a strategic objective.

Francis made a largely secretive deal with China in 2018 for the appointment of bishops, but not all issues have been resolved, as China’s government still exerts strong political control over religious life, said Gianni Criveller, dean of studies at the PIME International Missionary School of Theology in Milan.

While no pope has been able to visit China, Francis has taken trips, such as to Mongolia, that have basically put him on China’s doorstep. This time as well, Mr. Faggioli said, the trip is seen as an attempt to “talk to countries he can’t go to.”

He said the trip also showed Francis’ ambition to make the Roman Catholic Church truly global — drawing attention to areas not traditionally of Christian culture and where Catholicism coexists with other religions, relying on the communities’ devotion rather than on wealth, endowments or a historical hegemony.

Unlike in Europe, the Catholic church in Asia does not “rest on its laurels,” said Mr. Faggioli, and believing is in some cases still an act of resistance.

“He sends a message to all the Catholics,” Mr. Faggioli said. “That the future of the church looks more like these churches in which we are a minority than those in which we are a majority.”

The pope’s first stop, Indonesia, also reflects Francis’ commitment to promoting dialogue between Muslims and Christians. He was the first pope to visit the Arabian Peninsula , in 2019.

He is also likely to urge global action to protect the environment, in a part of the world that is particularly vulnerable to climate change, including rising sea levels and severe weather events like droughts and typhoons.

Is the pope too frail for such a trip?

The Vatican originally had considered the trip for 2020 but canceled it because of the pandemic. Despite being older now, the pope is committed to showing that despite his age and ailments he is “still alive though some wanted me dead,” as he once joked .

In recent years, Francis’ health has been a source of concern. Within three years, he underwent a hernia operation, had colon surgery and was hospitalized for a respiratory infection. Last year, he did not attend a summit in Dubai because of health problems.

Still, the pope has been seen walking in recent weeks, instead of using a wheelchair, as he has increasingly done.

In the 11-day trip, he will be accompanied by his medical team (two nurses and a doctor) and, in a first, by his secretaries. Matteo Bruni, the Vatican’s spokesman, said at a news briefing on Friday that no extra precautions were taken for this trip, as the measures they normally adopt were considered sufficient.

Still, the ambitious itinerary for the octogenarian leader of the world’s Roman Catholics inevitably has stirred questions about the impact on his health.

Reporters questioned Mr. Bruni about the 92 percent humidity that the pope would face in Vanimo, a town tucked between Papua New Guinea’s rainforest and the Pacific Ocean. Markus Solo, an Indonesian priest who focuses on interfaith dialogue at the Vatican, said he worried about the impact that Jakarta’s high pollution could have, partly because Francis lost part of a lung to infection as a teenager.

“Hopefully, the government will do something in order to reduce the pollution during the visit,” he said.

The head of the Environmental Service of Jakarta, Asep Kuswanto, said no specific plans for curbing air pollution had been made for the pope’s visit.

Still, it appeared that some measures had been taken to protect the pope’s health. Francis was not expected to visit Flores, a predominantly Catholic Indonesian island.

“His health condition doesn’t permit him to go all that way,” said Father Solo, originally from Flores. “We have to be very prudent.”

Ismail Cawidu, a senior official at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, an important stop on the visit, said that the pope would not tour the inside of the mosque but instead meet other religious leaders at a plaza outside.

Mr. Ismail said they had asked the Vatican if the pope could cross the “tunnel of friendship” that connects the mosque, Southeast Asia’s largest, with a Catholic cathedral but were still awaiting a response.

What can we expect from the trip?

Indonesia has a large Christian population, with a lively Catholic community. The country has been considered an example of interfaith tolerance but is still facing challenges to its image, as extremist Islamic groups have exerted growing pressure on other religions.

The pope’s visit to the Istiqlal mosque will include a meeting with representatives of the country’s officially recognized religions — Islam, Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism and Catholic and Protestant Christianity. He will also celebrate Mass at a stadium in the city, where tens of thousands are likely to attend.

Papua New Guinea, where more than 800 languages are spoken, is one of the world’s poorest countries, and Pope Francis “wants to send a message that he can reach everyone, that nobody is too far away,” Father Criveller said. After spending most of next weekend in Port Moresby, the capital, Francis will fly north to the coastal town of Vanimo, and he may address the issue of protecting nature from extractive businesses and the effects of climate change.

In East Timor, Asia’s newest nation and the only predominantly Catholic country on the trip, Francis is to follow in the footsteps of John Paul II, who also visited the conflict-scarred nation. Francis may face questions over the scandal involving Carlos Ximenes Belo , a Nobel-winning bishop and independence hero who the Vatican acknowledged had sexually abused young boys.

In Singapore, an economic powerhouse with a blend of Asian ethnicities and religions, Francis will witness one of the world’s most diverse societies up close, as well as a small but dynamic Catholic community, where the faithful still crowd pews.

Emma Bubola is a Times reporter based in Rome. More about Emma Bubola

• Facilities Locations

Facilities Overview

The Department provides for the care and custody of people ordered held by the courts and awaiting trial or who are convicted and sentenced to one year or less of jail time.

For more information on the city’s Borough Based Jails plan, please visit the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice website, HERE .

Facility Locations

  Active Rikers Island Facilities

Eric M. Taylor Center (EMTC) Built in 1964 and expanded in 1973, EMTC previously housed males in custody sentenced to terms of one year or less. Most of its housing was dormitory-style. The facility, previously designated the Correctional Institution for Men, was renamed on July 14, 2000, in honor of retired Chief of Department Eric M. Taylor. EMTC closed in March 2020, and almost immediately reopened in March 2020 for new intakes showing symptoms and people in custody who had tested positive for COVID-19.

George R. Vierno Center (GRVC) Opened in 1991 and was named after a former Chief of Department and Acting Commissioner. GRVC was expanded in 1993. The facility houses detained and sentenced male adults.

North Infirmary Command (NIC) Consists of two separate buildings one of them the original Rikers Island Hospital built in 1932. It houses people in custody with acute medical conditions and require infirmary care, or have a disability that requires housing that is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. NIC also houses some general population detainees.

Otis Bantum Correctional Center (OBCC) Opened in June 1985, it was completed in less than 15 months using modern design and construction methods. OBCC has dormitory and cell housing. The jail was named for its second Warden. OBCC houses detained male adults.

Robert N. Davoren Center (RNDC) Opened in 1972, the jail was formally dedicated the Robert N. Davoren Center in May 2006 in honor of a former Chief of Department. RNDC primarily houses detained and sentenced males and young adults.

Rose M. Singer Center (RMSC) Opened in June 1988, RMSC is a 800-bed facility for female detainees and sentenced women in custody. Subsequent additional modular housing was added. In 1985, the Department’s  first nursery was born, featuring a 25-bed baby nursery. RMSC was named after an original member of the New York City Board of Correction.

West Facility – Communicable Disease Unit (WF) Opened in the fall of 1991, WF was constructed of ‘Sprungs’ - rigid aluminum-framed structures covered by a heavy-duty plastic fabric. The facility includes single-cell units, some of which make up the Department's Communicable Disease Unit (CDU). Other cells house detainees separate and apart from the CDU.

Hospital Units

The Department maintains secure facilities in City hospitals:   Elmhurst Hospital Prison Ward (EHPW), Queens - for female detainees.    

Other Rikers Island Facilities - (Does not house people in custody)

  George Motchan Detention Center (GMDC)

Originally opened in 1971 as the Correctional Institution for Women, the jail became a male detention center with the 1988 opening of the Rose M. Singer Center for women and was renamed in memory of a 17-year veteran Correction Officer fatally shot in the line of duty. GMDC closed in 2018 and is no longer used to house people in custody. GMDC is currently used as a Training Academy annex and its former visit house as a wellness center for DOC staff.

Benjamin Ward Visit Center

The Benjamin Ward Visit Center serves the various jail facilities on Riker's Island. All visitors must coordinate their visits through the Benjamin Ward Visit Center. The Visit Center is located at 18-31 Hazen St. East Elmhurst, NY 11370.

Closed DOC Facilities

James A. Thomas Center (JATC) Formerly the House of Detention for Men, this 1,200-bed, all-cell jail was renamed in honor of the Department's first African-American warden. Built in the early 1930s as Rikers Island's first permanent jail, the landmark structure is no longer in use.

Brooklyn Detention Complex (BKDC) Built on Atlantic Avenue in 1957, the facility housed male detainees most of whom were undergoing the intake process or awaiting trial in Kings County (Brooklyn) and Richmond County (Staten Island) courts. BKDC closed in December 2020.

Manhattan Detention Complex (MDC) This lower Manhattan facility consists of two buildings designated the North and South Towers, connected by a bridge. The North Tower was opened in 1990. The South Tower, formerly the Manhattan House of Detention, or the "Tombs," was opened in 1983, after a complete remodeling. The complex houses detainee and sentenced males, most of them undergoing the intake process or facing trial in New York County (Manhattan).

Queens Detention Complex (QDC) The Queens Detention Complex (QDC) is not a working jail and does not house people in custody. QDC includes court facilities, where people in custody await court appearances and for the intake process. Portions are also used as a space for television/movie production filming.

Vernon C. Bain Center (VCBC) A five-story jail barge built in New Orleans to DOC specifications, the facility houses detained male adults. Opened in the Fall of 1992, it is named in memory of a former Warden who died in a car accident. It serves as the intake facility for the Bronx.

Anna M. Kross Center (AMKC) Completed in 1978, and named for DOC's second female commissioner, AMKC houses detained and sentenced male adults in a facility spread over 40 acres. AMKC is the largest facility on Rikers Island.