New York Prison Packages

Generally speaking, New York State inmates may receive a package through the mail or at a visit from anyone who is not on a negative correspondence or negative vendor list. However, each facility is different and some facilities only allow inmates to make purchase through their own inmate account. For more specific information regarding a particular facility, please contact the facility in question.

At most Medium Security correctional facilities, inmates are allowed two food packages per month, and the combined weight can not exceed 35 pounds (see exceptions for TV facilities). Food packages received from both visitors, and through the mail, shall be included in the two-package limit. Food items must be commercially or hermetically sealed and contain no alcohol. For exceptions, please see the list of Admissible Items in New York State Prisons.

Additional packages containing non-food items such as clothing, tobacco, etc. may be received by an inmate and shall not be counted against the food package limit. Be advised, there are limits on the amount of personal property an inmate may accumulate based on physical and/or programmatic considerations. There are also restrictions on color of clothing. Generally, no black, blue, orange, gray, or brown clothing is allowed. For more specific information, please see the list of Admissible Items in New York State Prisons.

Exceptions to the above package rules exist for inmates in Special Housing Units (SHU), inmates on "loss of package" sanctions, "reception", or "in-transit" status, Shock, Drug Treatment Centers, CASAT, and Work Release Centers. For example, no packages may be received at any time by an inmate in SHU except books, periodicals, and legal materials. For specific information about these special populations, contact the facility in question.

Most New York State Correctional Facilities and County Jails have a facility commissary. The facility commissary is a store located inside the facility specifically for inmates. It may carry a wide variety of items, including food, personal care items such as shampoo, soap, and toothpaste, and other necessities. An inmate is entitled to a "commissary buy" every 2 weeks if they have available funds and they are not otherwise restricted by disciplinary dispositions. You can send money to an inmate so that he/she has money in his/her Commissary Account to buy necessary items.

PLEASE NOTE: The facility provides personal hygiene items, such as toothpaste, toothbrush, and soap, if the inmate is in need and makes a request.

A "TV Facility" is any New York State correctional facility where inmates are permitted to have TV's in their cells. An inmate who is located in a "TV Facility" may only receive 2 food packages per calendar year from family, friends, or other personal sources, as well as items ordered directly by the inmate from approved vendors. These packages may only contain food items and may not exceed 20 pounds.

The following New York State Correctional Facilities are classified as "TV Facilities":

* Attica Correctional Facility
* Elmira Correctional Facility
* Five Points Correctional Facility
* Southport Cadre Correctional Facility
* Wende Correctional Facility
* Clinton Correctional Facility
* Great Meadow Correctional Facility
* Upstate Cadre Correctional Facility