UPDATED VISITATION SECURITY GUIDELINES

To reduce the introduction of contraband and protect both the staff and the incarcerated population, DOCCS has introduced a more robust security screening process for visitors.

EFFECTIVE 3/22/2025:

BODY IMAGE SCANNING: All visitors will be required to pass through a body image scanner in order to participate in a full-contact visit.

DECLINING BODY IMAGE SCANNING: If a visitor declines being scanned by the body image scanner, they will be processed in accordance with Directive #4403 for a non-contact visit only.

  • This includes passing through a metal detector and/or scanning with a hand wand.
  • Refusal to comply with the body scan or the alternate search procedure will result in the visitor not being permitted to enter the correctional facility on that specific day.

NON-CONTACT VISITATION: If the visitor declines the body image scanner but is successfully cleared for entry through the alternative security process, they will be approved for a non-contact visit on that day.

  • Non-contact visits will be limited to two (2) visitors with a maximum duration of two (2) hours.
  • No physical embrace will be authorized at the beginning or conclusion of a non-contact visit.
  • Physical partitions will be in place that prevent physical contact between the incarcerated individual and the visitor.
  • No cross visiting will be authorized.
  • The non-contact limitation will apply only to the single day the visitor declined the body image scanning.

PREGNANT: Individuals who are pregnant will not be subject to the scanning.

  • In those cases, they will be searched by an alternative method and not be subjected to any form of harassment, intimidation or disciplinary action.
  • If cleared by the alternative method, they will be provided a contact visit.
  • If not cleared by the alternative method, the Superintendent shall either limit to a non-contact visit or deny the visit for the day.

LEGAL VISITS: Additionally, individuals conducting legal visits are not required to undergo a body scan in order to enter the facility and have full-contact visits.

MEDICAL EXEMPTIONS: Visitors with medical conditions that may be impacted by a body scan have a right to request a medical exemption to the body image scanner requirement. Visitors under the age of 18 will NOT be scanned using the body image scanner.

EFFECTIVE 7/22/2025:

Requests for a medical exemption to the body scan must be submitted on this exemption form to Central Office Health Services for review and approval by medical staff in advance of a visit.

  • The request must include the visitor’s full name, address, date of birth, the name and DIN of each incarcerated individual to be visited, and the complete visitor number assigned by the Visitor Processing System (VPS).
  • The medical documentation must include the condition that would be impacted by the body scan and the duration of the limitations (e.g. temporary or a lifelong condition). The document that includes this information must be signed by the visitor’s health care provider and include the printed name of the health care provider as well as the provider’s contact information.
  • Upon review of the documentation, the Central Office medical staff may authorize exemptions to the body scanner.
  • The medical staff’s approval of the request will be logged and forwarded to the facilities by Friday of the week in which it is approved. Medical staff will not share the underlying documentation or the condition for any medical exemption granted or denied.
  • The exemption will apply to all facilities for the relevant time frame.
  • Individuals who have not submitted a request in advance and do not have an exemption confirmation will either comply with the body scan requirement or be directed to non-contact visitation.


To Request a Medical Exemption to the Body Scanning Requirement:

Email the form to: [email protected]

Mail the form to: 

DOCCS Central Office Health Services
Harriman State Campus
1220 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12226-2050
Attention: Body Scanner Exemption Request

To check the status of a submitted exemption request form, please contact the relevant facility.