VISITATION SUSPENSION
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND COMMUNITY SUPERVISION SUSPENDS VISITATION AT FACILITIES STATEWIDE
Special Arrangements Made to Ensure Incarcerated Individuals Can Stay in Touch with Loved Ones During Suspended Visitation
Effective Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 5 PM, visitation at all correctional facilities
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In December 2019, a new respiratory disease called Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was detected in China. COVID-19 is caused by a virus (SARS-CoV-2) that is part of a large family of viruses called coronaviruses. Recently, community-wide transmission of COVID-19 has occurred in the United States, including New York where the number of both persons under investigation and confirmed cases are rapidly increasing.
The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) is responsible for the safety, health, rehabilitation, and supervision of nearly 44,000 incarcerated individuals and over 35,000 individuals on community supervision through the tireless efforts of nearly 30,000 employees. The Department’s greatest concern is the safety and well-being of our employees and individuals within our care, custody, and supervision, particularly during this developing public health emergency. To that end, the Department must swiftly impose restrictions and precautions to prevent additional spread of infectious viral transmission of COVID-19 in both correctional facilities and the community writ large.
As this public health emergency rapidly develops, the Department will closely monitor the situation and extend these restrictions as necessary.
Visitation Suspended at All Correctional Facilities. While this suspension of visitation will be temporary, the Department recognizes the immediate impact on incarcerated individuals throughout the correctional system. However, the current situation demands this significant action to safeguard the health and safety of all incarcerated individuals, employees, as well as their families and communities. While in-person visitation will be impossible to replace, the Department will provide the following benefits to encourage individuals to keep in contact with their family and friends during this temporary suspension:
- Five (5) free stamps per week for use in accordance with Directive #4422, “Inmate Correspondence Program”;
- Two (2) free secure messages per week via electronic tablet; and
- One (1) free phone call per week in accordance with Directive #4423 “Inmate Telephone Calls”.
This suspended visitation also applies to family reunion programs. However, legal visits will not be impacted by this visitation suspension. Legal visits will be conducted as non-contact (i.e. no physical contact allowed), as requests are submitted, and that option remains available within the facilities.
The Department takes seriously its duty to ensure the safety and well-being of those who work, visit and live in our correctional facilities, as well as those who supervise or are supervised in the greater community of New York. During this difficult time, the Department is appreciative of everyone’s patience and understanding as we continue to face this virus together.
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COMMUNITY SUPERVISION RESTRICTIONS FOR OFFICE VISITS
COMMUNITY SUPERVISION PRECAUTIONS IN RESPONSE TO NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
Effective March 20, 2020 until April 17, 2020
In December 2019, a new respiratory disease called Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was detected in China. COVID-19 is caused by a virus (SARS-CoV-2) that is part of a large family of viruses called coronaviruses. Recently, community-wide transmission of COVID-19 has occurred in the United States, including New York where the number of both persons under investigation and confirmed cases are rapidly increasing.
The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) is responsible for the safety, health, rehabilitation, and supervision of nearly 44,000 incarcerated individuals and over 35,000 individuals on community supervision through the tireless efforts of nearly 30,000 employees.
The Department’s greatest concern is the safety and well-being of our employees and individuals within our care, custody, and supervision, particularly during this developing public health emergency. To that end, the Department must swiftly impose precautions to prevent additional spread of infectious viral transmission of COVID-19 in the community writ large.
Effective Friday, March 20, 2020 at 5 PM, all in-person reports of individuals under state community supervision are suspended until April 17, 2020.
As this public health emergency rapidly develops, the Department will closely monitor the situation and extend this precautionary measure to a future date as necessary.
In-Person Parolee Reports Suspended in All Counties
The Department will suspend office reports, including off-site reporting locations, for all persons under community supervision. The temporary suspension of office visits is designed to increase social distancing and minimize group gatherings. The Department’s community supervision staff will continue to maintain contact with the parolee population to ensure public safety.
Specifically, parolees will have their in-person supervision contacts suspended until April 17, 2020. Department staff will use technology, such as telephone calls, text messages, videoconferencing, GPS electronic monitoring, and other methods to maintain contact. This electronic contact will count as a positive field contact during this interim period.
The Department takes seriously its duty to ensure the safety and well being of those who supervise or are supervised in the greater community of New York. During this difficult time, the Department appreciates your patience and understanding as we continue to face this virus together.
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For further information on COVID-19 and New York’s response, please visit: