Where to find facility contact details, FOIL help, and who to call for questions
- Start with the facility page. Some DOCCS facility pages point you to the DOCCS Visitors Page for additional visitation information.
- Use FOIL for records requests to DOCCS. Submit written FOIL requests to the DOCCS Records Access Officer at Harriman State Campus, 1220 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12226-2050, or send them by email to doccsfoilunit@doccs.ny.gov or by fax to 518-453-8474.
- Track timing and inspection options. DOCCS states it will respond within five business days with availability, denial, or an acknowledgment, and that records can be inspected by appointment on business days between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Records Access Office (Harriman State Campus, Building 4).
- Send medical record requests to the facility. DOCCS states FOIL does not handle incarcerated individuals’ medical records requests, and those should be directed to the Facility Medical Director.
For NYC jail and construction-program questions, the City lists community construction liaison contacts. One example: the Manhattan Borough-Based Jails Program contact is Nikita Sin, ManhattanCCL@bbjnyc.com, (646) 627-0963.
For questions about a federal facility in New York, the facility page may include specialized contact and shipping details. The MCC New York page, for example, references a PREA audit report and provides a contractor phone number for questions about discrepancies or inaccuracies. It also lists a separate address format for freight and non-USPS parcels to an inmate warehouse. For context on federal recordkeeping: BOP's CTS records are scheduled for disposal under an approved schedule (destroy or delete when 2 years old, or 2 years after the latest entry).
Common Questions
Q
How do I find a specific facility's visitation schedule and rules?
Start on the facility’s official page, which may direct you to the DOCCS Visitors Page for additional visitation information. Some DOCCS facilities use special schedules, for example Five Points uses an odd/even schedule based on the last digit of the DIN, and facility pages can also list an “effective” date for visitation information (Woodbourne’s page shows visitation information effective 01/01/2026).
Q
What is a Visitor Hospitality Center and what services might it provide?
DOCCS describes Visitor Hospitality Centers as places that provide shelter and respite for visiting families and friends before entering the facility. DOCCS lists amenities like restrooms, a baby changing station, lockers for personal belongings, and information about visitation rules and packages. DOCCS also encourages visits by family and friends, stating they can be a positive influence during imprisonment and after release.
Q
How do I request records or submit a FOIL request to DOCCS?
Send a written request to the DOCCS Records Access Officer at Harriman State Campus, 1220 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12226-2050, or submit it by email to doccsfoilunit@doccs.ny.gov or fax to 518-453-8474. DOCCS states it will respond within five business days with availability, denial, or an acknowledgment, and records can be inspected by appointment on business days between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Records Access Office at Harriman State Campus (Building 4). DOCCS also states medical records requests are not handled through FOIL and should go to the Facility Medical Director instead.
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