How to Send Messages to Inmates

You can use your phone or computer to send emails, letters, and photos to an inmate. Messages are sent electronically to inmate tablets or kiosks at the facility. If you would like to send a message, start by searching for an inmate at NYSDOC Sullivan Correctional Facility.

Sending Photos and Postcards

A great way to send love and support to a loved one at NYSDOC Sullivan Correctional Facility is to send photos and postcards. It only takes a few minutes to send photos from your phone and it makes a huge difference. You can also mail postcards with words of support and inspiration, or design your own postcard for special moments like birthdays and holidays.

Important! Be sure not to send any explicit photos or they may not be approved by the facility. You can also use a photo printing app like Penmate to make sure your photos are printed at the correct size (4x6 or 3x5) and are mailed according to the rules and regulations of NYSDOC Sullivan Correctional Facility.

Frequently asked questions about NYSDOC Sullivan Correctional Facility

1. How long does it take to deliver a message?

   If you're sending an email message your letter is usually delivered within 24-48 hours. For messages sent via mail you should expect delivery within 3-7 days. All messages will need be approved by NYSDOC Sullivan Correctional Facility.

2. How much does it cost to send a message to NYSDOC Sullivan Correctional Facility?

   You can send a message free using your phone or mail a message via USPS for the price of a $0.60 stamp and envelope. You can also purchase credits or e-stamps from services starting at $1.99.

3. What services can I use to contact an inmate at NYSDOC Sullivan Correctional Facility?

   Penmate

   You can use Penmate to send letters and photos to an inmate from your phone. It's an easy way to stay in touch during your loved one's incarceration. Use the inmate locator to find an inmate's location and contact information, then you can send messages within a few minutes.

   Securus messaging

   Securus may be another option for communicating with an inmate at NYSDOC Sullivan Correctional Facility. You can create a friends and family account and purchase credits to send messages. All messages will be reviewed and must be approved by the facility.

   JPay

   Some county jails and state prisons may support sending messages with JPay. You must register an account with the system, find your loved one, and purchase stamps to send messages. For some locations you can also attach photos.

   Smart Jail Mail

   You may also check if Smart Jail Mail is available at NYSDOC Sullivan Correctional Facility. Smart Jail Mail is operated by Smart Communications and has contracted with some state and county jails. After purchasing credits, your messages and photos are sent to the facility, printed out, and then handed out to your loved one.

4. What is the mailing address of NYSDOC Sullivan Correctional Facility?

   Mailing address:

   NYSDOC Sullivan Correctional Facility
   325 Riverside Dr
   Fallsburg, NY 12733
   Phone: (845) 434-2080

   Business hours:

   • Monday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
   • Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
   • Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
   • Thursday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
   • Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
   • Saturday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
   • Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

5. What are the visiting hours at NYSDOC Sullivan Correctional Facility?

   Visiting hours at NYSDOC Sullivan Correctional Facility vary by housing unit and security level. Generally, visits are scheduled on weekends and holidays, with some facilities offering weekday visits. Contact the facility directly at (845) 434-2080 or check their website for the current visiting schedule. Visits typically last 30-60 minutes and must be scheduled in advance.

6. What items are prohibited when sending mail to NYSDOC Sullivan Correctional Facility?

   Prohibited items typically include: cash, personal checks, stamps, stickers, glitter, glue, tape, staples, paperclips, polaroid photos, musical or blank greeting cards, hardcover books, magazines with staples, and any items containing metal or electronics. Only send letters on plain white paper with blue or black ink. Photos must be printed on regular photo paper (no Polaroids). Always check with NYSDOC Sullivan Correctional Facility for their specific mail policies.

7. How do I send money to an inmate at NYSDOC Sullivan Correctional Facility?

   You can send money to an inmate at NYSDOC Sullivan Correctional Facility through several methods: 1) Online using JPay, Access Corrections, or the facility's approved vendor, 2) Money orders mailed directly to the facility with the inmate's name and ID number, 3) Kiosks located in the facility lobby, or 4) Over the phone using a credit or debit card. Fees vary by method, typically ranging from $2.95 to $11.95 per transaction.

8. Can I schedule a video visit with an inmate at NYSDOC Sullivan Correctional Facility?

   Many facilities now offer video visitation as an alternative to in-person visits. At NYSDOC Sullivan Correctional Facility, video visits may be available through services like Penmate, Securus Video Connect, GTL, or ICSolutions. Video visits typically cost $10-20 for 20-30 minutes and must be scheduled in advance. You'll need a computer or smartphone with a camera and reliable internet connection. Contact the facility for their specific video visitation policies and approved vendors.

9. What identification do I need to visit an inmate at NYSDOC Sullivan Correctional Facility?

   All visitors must present valid government-issued photo identification such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who can provide the minor's birth certificate. Some facilities require visitors to be on the inmate's approved visitation list, which may require a background check. Contact NYSDOC Sullivan Correctional Facility for specific ID requirements and visitor approval procedures.

10. How can I find out an inmate's release date?

    To find an inmate's release date at NYSDOC Sullivan Correctional Facility, you can: 1) Use the online inmate search tool if available, 2) Call the facility's records department, 3) Contact the inmate's case manager or counselor, or 4) Have the inmate provide this information during a call or visit. For privacy reasons, some facilities only release this information to immediate family members.

Programs & Services

Important Note: Sullivan Correctional Facility officially closed on November 6, 2024, with all inmates transferred to other facilities within New York State.

Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison provided educational opportunities at Sullivan Correctional Facility, representing the facility’s commitment to rehabilitation through academic advancement. This not-for-profit organization worked to deliver higher education programs that could help inmates develop skills and knowledge for successful reintegration into society. The facility’s educational approach typically complemented other rehabilitative services designed to address the complex needs of its maximum-security population, where a significant portion of inmates were serving lengthy sentences for violent felonies.

Beyond higher education initiatives, Sullivan Correctional Facility likely offered various support programs common to New York State maximum-security institutions. These may have included vocational training opportunities, substance abuse counseling, mental health services, and anger management programs. Given that many inmates were serving life sentences, the facility’s programming often focused on personal development, conflict resolution, and therapeutic interventions to help individuals address underlying issues that contributed to their incarceration. Library services, religious programs, and recreational activities typically rounded out the facility’s rehabilitative offerings.

The facility’s location on an 850-acre site alongside Woodbourne Correctional Facility may have provided opportunities for shared resources and programming between the institutions. Sullivan’s four-pod circular design housed between 560 and many individuals, creating a structured environment where various services could be delivered effectively to support both short-term behavioral management and long-term rehabilitation goals for this challenging population.

Daily Life & Visitation

Note: Sullivan Correctional Facility officially closed on November 6, 2024, with all inmates transferred to other facilities within New York State.

Within the four circular pods that housed between 560 and many individuals, the structured environment at Sullivan Correctional Facility typically began before dawn with count procedures and continued through carefully scheduled meal times, work assignments, and evening lockdown. The maximum-security facility’s design, built on a sharp upslope overlooking the Neversink River valley, meant that movement between housing units and program areas often required navigating the facility’s comprehensive topographical challenges. Given that 86 percent of the population was incarcerated for violent felonies and 60 percent were serving life sentences, security protocols likely influenced most aspects of the daily routine, from controlled movement during shift changes to supervised activities throughout the day.

Educational and rehabilitative programming may have provided structure to inmates’ days, with organizations like Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison potentially offering college-level courses and degree programs. The facility’s location on an 850-acre stretch of land shared with Woodbourne Correctional Facility likely meant that some services and programs were coordinated between the two institutions. Visitation procedures would have followed New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision guidelines, typically allowing approved family members and friends to visit during designated hours and days, though the maximum-security classification meant these visits were conducted under strict supervision with security measures in place to ensure safety for all participants.