Scheduling and planning legal visits at MCC New York (hours, walk-ins, Secure Pass, and the 4 p.m. count)

MCC New York’s regular legal visiting hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday, including federal holidays.

During those posted hours, you can walk in - no advance scheduling required.

The difference comes down to timing. Within the normal 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. window, just show up. Need to meet outside those hours? That's a

1. Decide whether you need a special visit - If your visit can happen between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., you can walk in. If it needs to be outside that window, you’ll need a special legal visit.
2. Give at least 24 hours’ notice - Special legal visits must be requested with at least 24 hours’ notice through MCC New York’s Legal Department.
3. Fax your request to the Legal Department - Send the request by fax to (646) 836-7665, Attn: Legal Department.
4. Time the request around Legal Department hours - The Legal Department is open Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For example, if you need a Monday special visit, get the request in by the prior Friday.

To enter as an attorney, you'll need ID proving active membership in any state bar.

New York attorneys must present a Secure Pass Identification card (Legal Aid Society Federal Defenders are exempt). Forgot your Secure Pass? You may still get in - but only after the Legal Department approves it, and only for up to 60 days from that approval date.

Licensed outside New York? Build in extra lead time. Contact the Legal Department at least 24 hours ahead so they can verify your status. Once verified, you'll be added to a lobby list that's good for one year.

Daily counts can eat into your visit if you time it wrong. Counts at MCC New York run about 30–40 minutes, and all movement stops until the count clears. During an official count, attorneys and their representatives can't enter or exit the Visiting Room - so plan your arrival and departure accordingly.

• ✓ Expect counts to pause all movement for about 30–40 minutes, including entry/exit from the Visiting Room.
• ✓ If you want your client to remain in the Visiting Room during count, request that the inmate be placed on “out-count” one hour before count.

Quick Checklist

• ✓ If you’re visiting during 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. (including federal holidays), plan it as a walk-in - no advance scheduling required.
• ✓ If you need time outside 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., request a special legal visit through the Legal Department with at least 24 hours’ notice.
• ✓ Fax special-visit requests to (646) 836-7665, Attn: Legal Department.
• ✓ Remember the Legal Department’s office hours are Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; a Monday special-visit request must be submitted by the preceding Friday.
• ✓ Bring identification that verifies active membership in any state bar.
• ✓ If you’re a New York State attorney (excluding Legal Aid Society Federal Defenders), make sure you have your Secure Pass; without it, you’ll need Legal Department approval and can only be admitted for up to 60 days from the approval date.
• ✓ If you’re licensed outside New York, contact the Legal Department at least 24 hours in advance so your status can be verified and you can be added to the one-year lobby list.
• ✓ Plan around count: movement stops for about 30–40 minutes, and you can’t enter or exit the Visiting Room during count; request “out-count” one hour before count if you need your client to stay in the Visiting Room.