In-person visits: schedules, special rules, and preparing for a visit
Start with the facility's current visitation schedule, then read any special rules affecting which days your loved one can receive visitors. Five Points, for example, uses an odd/even visitation schedule based on the last digit of the incarcerated person's DIN, and weekend visits follow that pattern. Five Points also notes its visitation information is effective 01/01/2026, with holidays marked in red on the 2026 schedule. Other DOCCS facilities have simpler schedules: Greene Correctional Facility, for instance, lists visiting days as weekends.
If your facility has a Visitor Hospitality Center, it can make the day easier. DOCCS operates these centers to provide shelter and respite before you enter. Amenities typically include restrooms, a baby changing station, lockers for personal belongings, and information about visitation rules and packages. DOCCS encourages visits by family and friends, noting that visits can be a positive influence during incarceration and after release.
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
Are video visits available and what platforms are used?
Some facilities use web-based video visitation systems, including Securus Video Connect, which allows scheduled video sessions through the free Securus app or a computer/tablet. NYC DOC’s Rikers family visit information also states that televisits operate on Fridays, so the schedule and platform can be location-specific.
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