Announcements

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Effective Monday, March 9, 2020, the Westchester County Department of Correction has increased screening protocols for all visitors due to outbreak of the novel coronavirus or COVID-19. The health of all who reside, work, visit or volunteer in the Correction facility is of utmost importance. The increased screening measures are being implemented in hopes of avoiding the introduction of COVID-19 into our facilities.

Lea Aumento de los protocolos de detección de visitantes en Español.

Visitors should expect:

  • additional security procedures
  • longer than usual wait times
  • to answer a series of questions regarding
    • illness and/or symptoms they may be experiencing
    • travel outside the United States within the past four weeks, including family members - even if they are not currently with you
    • possible direct exposure to an individual diagnosed with the novel coronavirus within the past  four weeks
  • the possibility of being denied entry if they appear ill or have the potential to pose a risk to the health and safety of the facility based on questionnaire responses

If you are sick, don't visit
We cannot emphasize more strongly that if you are planning to visit someone at our agency but you - or someone who will be coming with you - are feeling sick or have some kind of illness, we are requesting that you do not visit until the illness has passed.

Please understand that the Department of Correction remains committed to ensuring family and friends are able to visit with loved ones, with as limited disruption to the normal visiting process as possible, while also actively working to prevent the introduction and spread of COVID-19.

At this time of uncertainty, we suggest you consider "visiting" your loved ones using our video visitation service. This alternative is available for family members and friends who don’t wish to visit on-site or are coping with an illness.

For additional information and local updates on the novel coronavirus situation, go to the Westchester Department of Health's coronavirus daily update.

In January 2017, the Westchester County Department of Correction became the first New York State jail to pass an audit by federal inspectors under the United States Prison Rape Elimination Act.

PREA was enacted to ensure that local jails, prisons and other criminal justice detention facilities have mechanisms in place to prevent, detect and respond to allegations of sexual misconduct committed against individuals in custody.

The jail was determined to exceed 13 PREA regulations and to meet 30 others.

Pursuant to federal regulations, Westchester’s PREA audit is accessible online.

As press releases are issued, they will be published here.

 

  
   
   
   
   
   

If you plan to visit someone at the county jail, but are feeling sick or have any kind of illness, wait until you are better.

The Department of Correction is committed to preventing the transmission of illnesses to our inmates, staff and visitors. This includes the common cold, chicken pox, the flu and "influenza like illness" (ILI), skin infections (i.e. MRSA) and tuberculosis.

If you are feeling sick or have been in close contact with children experiencing symptoms of contagious diseases, such as chicken pox, you should refrain from visiting people at the county jail until at least 24 hours after you are symptom free, without the use of fever-reducing or other medications. If you come to the jail exhibiting any symptoms of illness, you may be denied the opportunity to visit.

For additional information on how to protect yourself and your loved ones from illnesses, visit the county's Department of Health.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers information on managing colds and the flu.

Important announcements and news from the Department of Correction:

NEW: Effective Jan. 1, 2016, print materials must be sent from publishers or reputable online vendors
The Department of Correction will only accept printed materials directly from the publisher or a reputable online vendor (such as Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com). This applies to all printed materials received via mail or packages.

El Departmento de Correcion solos va a aceptar materials imprimidos directamente del editor o de un vendador acreditado por la internet (por ejemplo: Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com). Esto solo aplica para todo material imprimimidos recibido per coreo o paquetes.

Inmate telephone billing inquiries or problems:

  • Information on blocked numbers or any inmate phone-related problems, call (866) 230-7761.
  • To set up a phone account call (800) 483-8314.
  • To block your phone from inmate calls complete the phone block form.  

Requirements for posting a cash bail using a credit card bail:

  • The card holder MUST be present at the facility.
  • The card holder MUST have valid Photo ID with valid Master, Visa, Discover or American Express credit card.
  • Credit card bail will only be accepted for bails $10,000 or less. If over this amount, cash may be added.

To improve phone service:

  • For both inmates and their families, we have modified the inmate phone system with new updated equipment and a better billing system.
  • Remember to create your account. Get more information.

Victim Information and Notification (888) VINE-4NY:

  • Crime victims can use their touch-tone phones to make a toll-free call to obtain information about offenders in the custody of Westchester County Department of Correction or visit VINELink, the online version. Learn more about VINElink. 
  •  Inmates that have been transfered from the Westchester County Department of Correction will require a new registration with the VINELink system.  This can be done by phone or on line at VINELink.com 

New visit information:

  • Visitor processing shall begin one hour prior to the start of the visiting session and conclude 75 minutes prior to the end of the visiting session.
  • Inmate contact visits will be held in the visiting rooms on a "first come, first serve" basis.
  • Visits will only be from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
  • You may view the new schedule in English and in Spanish, Cambio de Horario de Visita.
  • NO sneakers are allowed in packages brought for inmates. 

Inmate commissary: