New York

How to contact an inmate at Onondaga County Justice Center

Last Updated on May 21, 2023

A friendly help guide for Onondaga County Justice Center. Learn how to find an inmate and send letters, photos, and more.

How to contact an inmate at Onondaga County Justice Center

This help guide will walk you through how to connect with an inmate. Follow the steps below to find an inmate and send letters and photos:

  1. How to find an inmate online
  2. How to message an inmate
  3. Sending photos and postcards
  4. Frequently asked questions about Onondaga County Justice Center
  5. Overview of Onondaga County Justice Center
  6. Inmate services at Onondaga County Justice Center

Here's a short video on how to contact an inmate at Onondaga County Justice Center:

How to message an inmate

How to message an inmate at Onondaga County Justice Center

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 an message, start by searching for an inmate at Onondaga County Justice Center .

Sending Photos and Postcards

How to send photos and postcards to Onondaga County Justice Center

A great way to send love and support to loved one at Onondaga County Justice Center 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 Onondaga County Justice Center.

Frequently asked questions about Onondaga County Justice Center

  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 Onondaga County Justice Center.

  2. How much does it cost to send a message to Onondaga County Justice Center?

    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 Onondaga County Justice Center?
    Penmate

    You can use Penmate to send letters and photos to an inmate from your phone. It's a 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 Onondaga County Justice Center. 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 for 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 Onondaga County Justice Center. 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 Onondaga County Justice Center?
    Mailing address:

    Onondaga County Justice Center
    555 S State St
    Syracuse , NY 13202
    (315) 435-1770

    Business hours:
    • Monday: 7:30 AM – 10:30 PM
    • Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 10:30 PM
    • Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 10:30 PM
    • Thursday: 7:30 AM – 10:30 PM
    • Friday: 7:30 AM – 10:30 PM
    • Saturday: Closed
    • Sunday: 7:30 AM – 10:30 PM

Overview of Onondaga County Justice Center

The Onondaga County Justice Center is a correctional facility located in Syracuse, New York. It houses inmates who are awaiting trial or serving short-term sentences, typically less than one year. The facility is designed to accommodate up to 568 inmates between the two jails that comprise the center. The main facility, located in downtown Syracuse, was opened in 1995 and provides housing for approximately 460 male and female inmates. The other facility, located about ten miles away in Jamesville, houses approximately 108 minimum- and medium-security inmates who are given privileges such as participation in a work release program.

Following the 1992 riots in the previous county jail, lawmakers decided to construct a new jail for the county's inmates, which replaced the previous structure in 1995. The new facility includes sections for medical care, commissary services, counseling, education and job training, as well as classrooms, multi-use spaces, and a law library. There are also specialized units for female and juvenile inmates, and those who are mentally ill are treated separately from other inmates.

The facility is staffed by over 250 people, including corrections officers, administrative staff, and support personnel. Corrections officers receive extensive training and can expect to work five eight-hour shifts per week. Inmates are provided with meals, basic healthcare, and clothing. Recreation is also provided through access to a gym, outdoor recreational areas, and gym equipment. However, upgrades of the center have been suggested over the years for infirm

What services are provided by Onondaga County Justice Center?

Onondaga County Justice Center, located in Syracuse, New York, provides programs and services to help inmates transition and re-enter society. One of their core programs is Adult Education, which offers inmates access to education while they are incarcerated. This program allows individuals to pursue their GED, High School Equivalency, and other academic services to achieve goals they may have never thought possible. By completing their education, some inmates may have greater employment opportunities upon their release.

The Center also prioritizes healthcare services/bsupport for inmates with mental and physical illnesses. The Mental Health Program provides inmates access to psychiatric assessments, medication treatment, and group counseling. Furthermore, Health and Personal hygiene classes are also given such as mindfulness, lack embroilment aid provided classes that allow people to make healthy and better decision related to their health.

Additionally, the Family Re-Identification Program is dedicated to helping incarcerated parents remain in contact with their children throughout their stay in custody. Utilising cloud-connected cell phones, Skype phones etc, inmates can chat with their loved ones daily as necessary.

The Center also assists individuals with their non-appearance at appointments. In response to court mandates to facilitate community-based rather than punitive detention, NightStaff monitoring arrays allows participants with eligible court hearings/aptness, the alternative to coming to the Justice Center physically.

Overall, Onondaga County Justice Center is committed and tasked with provides support & aid inmates who otherwise would don’t have / lack basic rights and may look for certain deals further benefiting the Center and decreasing the workload of the corrections officers and managers via resources to solve/deal with stress-factors and keeping everyone mentally and physically safe and away from the scene for repeating history and instead work areas for achieving more satisfaction relevant activities sans internal disputes & productive