Updated on 2/3/2025
NYC DOC Rikers Island James A. Thomas Center JATC is located in New York is a correctional facility that houses inmates of various custody levels. The facility plays a crucial role in ensuring that inmates are rehabilitated and reintegrated into society. This guide provides essential information for individuals looking to connect with their incarcerated loved ones, covering topics such as visitation, inmate calling, writing to inmates, and sending money for commissary needs.
Incarceration can be brutal on families and friends as well as inmates. State prison lookups can vary depending on locale, and inmates can often be moved from one location to another within the new-york Department of Corrections. That's why we've created the Pigeonly Prison Locator Service for fast and free inmate search.
Our mission at Pigeonly is to connect inmates and families with affordable and easy-to-use tools. Our Inmate Locator can help you find your loved ones and even update you if an inmate moves to another location. Register with Pigeonly for free to find your loved ones today.
Families can also search for their inmates on the NYC DOC Rikers Island James A. Thomas Center JATC official website. To use this search, you'll need an inmate ID, provided when the inmate is assigned to a facility. Other search tools include the new-york state site and the Bureau of Prisons site.
Use our Inmate search tool to start a search for your inmate.
Make sure to check if your inmate's facility is county, state, or federal.
Find your inmate and select from the list of services designed to help you keep in touch.
Finally, you'll need to register an account with Pigeonly, and we'll provide you with your loved one's contact information. (Don't worry, registration is completely free!)
Booking numbers are unique identifiers assigned to each inmate at the time of their arrest and booking.
How to Find Booking Numbers:
Information Included with Booking Numbers:
When it comes to mugshots keep in mind that mugshots may not always be easily accessible on the internet but your best bet will be to check mugshots for inmates on the inmate roster page for NYC DOC Rikers Island James A. Thomas Center JATC.
Also, you can view the official Facebook page for NYC DOC Rikers Island James A. Thomas Center JATC as they sometimes will post images of people they have incarcerated.
Do another Google search with keywords like Facebook page for NYC DOC Rikers Island James A. Thomas Center JATC
Mugshots are taken at the time of booking the person and are available as part of the public record.
How to View Mugshots:
Privacy and Use of Mugshots:
To set up phone calls with an inmate at NYC DOC Rikers Island James A. Thomas Center JATC, follow these general steps:
If you don’t have the time or need help setting up phone calls, follow the instructions below.
The cost of inmate calls can be expensive. Here are a few suggestions we've come up with to help you save when you receive collect calls from jail:
Here's how these services work:
Prepaid inmate calling cards can also help keep costs in check. These cards help you set a cap on how much you're willing to budget on calls in any given period.
With these solutions, you're only able to spend as much money as you put on the account.
Check out our full tips on how to save money on cheap prison calls. How to Save Money on Inmate Phone Calls From Prison.
Correctional facilities enforce specific regulations and policies regarding inmate phone calls. Here are some key guidelines:
These regulations are in place to maintain security and ensure fair usage of telecommunication services within the facility.
To send mail to an inmate, can be straightforward like typing it from your mobile device and letting a reputable company like Pigeonly assist you.
Mail is delivered Mondays through Fridays, except on legal holidays. There is no limit to the amount of mail someone can receive. However, excessive pictures and letters may delay their distribution. Each letter or package gets screened by the NYC DOC Rikers Island James A. Thomas Center JATC before delivery. Letters containing obscene or inappropriate messages will get blocked for security reasons.
Mail rules often vary from facility to facility. NYC DOC Rikers Island James A. Thomas Center JATC has no limit for the number of pages in a letter that an inmate can receive. Nothing larger than 8 inches wide or 10 inches tall is permitted.
Photos can be sent but must either be on plain white paper or photo paper. Note, Polaroid is not allowed. Sending obscene messages and conducting business by mail is forbidden.
All incoming mail needs to have correct details (full name, booking number, facility address). The use of abbreviations in a letter is prohibited. Mail containing pictures or messages outside of the envelope will be restricted and declined.
Sending mail to inmates is an important way to keep connections alive and offer support. Pigeonly, with a decade of experience, helps you send mail to loved ones in various U.S. prisons.
This guide aims to help you send mail to inmates at NYC DOC Rikers Island James A. Thomas Center JATC with clear, actionable steps.
First, you need to find the inmate you want to send mail to:
Here are the methods for sending photos and letters to inmates at NYC DOC Rikers Island James A. Thomas Center JATC:
You can send mail directly from your phone, tablet, or computer without leaving home:
Note: Sending letters this way typically takes about 10 minutes. Mail sent using Pigeonly usually reaches the jail in 3 to 5 business days.
If you prefer to handle the mailing process manually:
Mailing Address:
Inmate Full Name & ID Number
City of New York Department of Correction
14-14 Hazen Street, East Elmhurst, NY, 11370
and must include your return address with the following information:
Your Full Name
Current Address
City, State, ZIP
These guidelines are crucial, though not complete. If you don’t want to risk your mail being rejected, consider using the online method for sending photos, which simplifies the process.
Photo Quality: Photos sent online will be printed in color on a high-quality printer approved by the facility.
For additional help or information, you can reach out to us at 800-323-9895.
Sending a care package to your loved one in prison is a thoughtful way to show you care. These packages can contain items such as clothing, food, shoes, snacks, and personal hygiene products.
However, the specifics on sending care packages vary by facility:
Here are some approved care package programs you might consider, tailored to meet your and your inmate's needs:
Check these out to find which one suits your situation best.
To add funds to an inmate’s commissary account, friends and relatives have multiple options:
To contribute funds to an inmate commissary account, you have various options:
Use the United States Postal Service to mail a money order or cashier’s check to:
Inmate Full Name - Booking Number
Facility Name
Full Address
When transferring money via mail, please remember:
Money order instructions: Money orders should be made payable in the inmate's name and contain the inmate's identification number. Mail the money order to the facility's address.
Inmates have the option to purchase a variety of items through the commissary, which includes:
Usually, there is a monthly spending limit on commissary purchases ranging from $200 to $300.
It is advisable to contact the facility directly at 718-546-1500 to confirm the current spending limits.
Inmates generally have access to commissary services on a regular basis, allowing them to purchase items as needed throughout their incarceration. This access helps inmates maintain a sense of normalcy and comfort during their time in custody.
The commissary can be managed effectively, providing support to inmates during their time at the NYC DOC Rikers Island James A. Thomas Center JATC.
Feel free to contact us with any questions. [email protected] or 800-323-9895.
Visiting a loved one at NYC DOC Rikers Island James A. Thomas Center JATC can be an emotional experience, and
knowing what to expect can help ease the process. Before your visit, it’s
important to ensure that you are on the approved visitation list by contacting
the facility directly.
Arriving at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time is strongly
recommended to allow for check-in and security screenings.
Visiting a loved one at NYC DOC Rikers Island James A. Thomas Center JATC can be an emotional experience, and knowing what to expect can help ease the process. Before your visit, it’s important to ensure that you are on the approved visitation list by contacting the facility directly.
Arriving at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time is strongly recommended to allow for check-in and security screenings.
***These visiting hours for NYC DOC Rikers Island James A. Thomas Center JATC may be outdated. Please visit the official NYC DOC Rikers Island James A. Thomas Center JATC website for more information on when you can visit NYC DOC Rikers Island James A. Thomas Center JATC.***
To schedule a visit at NYC DOC Rikers Island James A. Thomas Center JATC visitors have to schedule the visit one day in advance in order to avoid trouble while visiting your inmate, all visitors are requested to arrive at least 15 minutes in advance.
Visitors are required to show a valid photo ID at check-in.
Contact the facility at 718-546-1500 to schedule an appointment with your inmate and to check the time slot, as the inmates are allowed one visit per day. Visitors are required to check the timings and regulations before visiting the prison.
Visitation is a privilege, not a right, and can be restricted if the inmate or visitor violates the rules.
Before heading to visit a loved one at NYC DOC Rikers Island James A. Thomas Center JATC, it's a good idea to confirm that you are on your loved ones approved visitation list.
The easiest way to do that is by contacting the facility and asking them if your visitation is approved.
If you want to visit you can't have a felony and your government ID must be current. If your age is 16 and below you must go with a legal guardian to be accepted.
It is important to familiarize yourself with the basics of visitation before planning a visit. All visitors need to be pre-approved by the NYC DOC Rikers Island James A. Thomas Center JATC.
So until you don’t get a confirmation we don’t suggest going.
NYC DOC Rikers Island James A. Thomas Center JATC has an expected set of rules which you need to follow. Check with the visiting time and day as the facility has a dedicated time set. All the prisoners are searched before and after any visits due to security reasons.
Friends and families are advised to respect the dress code of NYC DOC Rikers Island James A. Thomas Center JATC otherwise they may be refused visitation. All visitors are expected to present a valid ID at the time of visitation.
When visiting an inmate at NYC DOC Rikers Island James A. Thomas Center JATC, it's essential to follow specific dress codes to ensure a smooth visit.
Avoid wearing clothing that resembles inmate uniforms, such as dark green, blue, or brown. Men should opt for plain, sleeved shirts and long pants, avoiding graphic tees, tank tops, and hooded shirts.
Women should choose tops that cover shoulders and chest, avoiding anything too provocative:
Footwear must cover the entire foot, so avoid things like:
Heels might be acceptable but opt for flat-soled shoes to be safe or just take the extra pair with you if you can.
Accessories should be minimal and non-flashy; religious headwear is usually permitted after verification.
Always check with the jail's specific guidelines before your visit and consider bringing a spare outfit in case of any issues.
Key points include:
Visiting a loved one at NYC DOC Rikers Island James A. Thomas Center JATC can be a smoother experience if you know what to expect. The facility provides several visitor amenities and services to ensure comfort and convenience during your visit. Below is a breakdown of what you can expect:
By offering these amenities, services, and accessibility features, correctional facilities aim to create a supportive environment where visitors can focus on connecting with their loved ones. It's always a good idea to contact the facility beforehand to confirm specific amenities, policies, or any additional assistance that may be available.