How to send messages, photos, and packages
Sending mail to someone at Great Meadow Correctional Facility? Expect it to be screened. New York correctional facilities check all incoming mail, and staff may open general correspondence to look for contraband. Legal mail gets different treatment—more restricted opening procedures when properly marked. Packages face restrictions too. Many facilities only accept shipments sent directly from approved vendors through major carriers, not items hand-sent by family or friends. Digital letter and photo services offer another option: upload your message or images online, the vendor transmits it to a facility printing center, and staff print and deliver it (sometimes the same day). To avoid delays, use the incarcerated person's full name, include their facility identifier, and always add your return address. For archives research-room access, appointments and a records request form may be required.
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Yes. Staff at New York correctional facilities routinely screen and may open general correspondence to check for contraband. Legal mail is treated differently and generally receives restricted handling when properly marked.
Usually not. Most facilities require packages to be shipped directly from approved vendors via major carriers, rather than sent directly by family or visitors. Check the current facility rules before you buy or ship anything.
Use the incarcerated person’s full name and their facility identifier (DIN or equivalent), and include your return address on every item. For digital services or vendor packages, follow the required formatting and vendor instructions to cut down on delays or returns.
Heading to the New York State Archives to dig up records connected to Great Meadow? Knowing the photo and copy rules beforehand will save you real frustration. Here's what's allowed in the research room, what equipment you can bring, and how to get higher-quality images when you need them.
Looking for historical records that might mention someone connected to Great Meadow Corrections Facility? The New York State Archives is a good place to start — but you'll need an appointment to use the research room, and it's worth confirming what's available before you make the trip.
A little planning goes a long way at the New York State Archives. This checklist covers the basics: confirming your appointment, knowing what to bring, and showing up ready to research—not troubleshoot.
