New York DOCCS does not use a centralized mail scanning address. Letters go directly to the facility where the person is incarcerated. Packages are a separate category - they must come from approved vendors, not from family or friends directly, and they cannot be brought during visits.
Every piece of mail requires the inmate's DIN (Department Identification Number). Without it, mail may not be delivered.
New York State DOCCS refers to incarcerated people as "incarcerated individuals."
Sending mail - letters and correspondence
Mail goes directly to the DOCCS facility. Every envelope must include:
- The incarcerated individual's full name and DIN (Department Identification Number)
- The sender's complete return address in the top left corner of the envelope
Address format:
[Inmate Name, DIN]
[Facility Name]
[PO Box or Street Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
Find the individual's DIN and current facility using the DOCCS Incarcerated Look-Up at nysdoccslookup.doccs.ny.gov. For facility addresses, see doccs.ny.gov/facilities.
What you can include in letters:
- Personal letters
- Photographs (see restrictions below)
- Up to 5 pages of printed or photocopied materials per envelope
- Newspaper clippings count as one page each
Do not include:
- Nude photographs
- Polaroid photos
- Postage stamps
- Letters from other people, except from children
Printed or photocopied materials may be delayed due to Media Review procedures. Do not tape, glue, or paste clippings or pages together to facilitate review.
Legal papers exception: not more than once every four months, the incarcerated individual may request in writing to the Superintendent for approval to receive more than 5 pages of legal papers related to their active case (briefs, transcripts, etc.). If approved, the correspondence must arrive within 30 days.
All incoming mail is opened and inspected. Cash, checks, and money orders found in mail are credited to the individual's account. Dangerous contraband will not be returned.
Do not send obscene, threatening, or fraudulent materials - these may be crimes under state and federal law. The sender is personally responsible for all mail contents.
Packages - vendors only
Most DOCCS facilities allow packages. The following facilities do not: Shock Incarceration, Drug Treatment Program, Work Release, CASAT, and I-ASAT.
Packages must be received directly from vendors via USPS, FedEx, UPS, or similar carriers. Packages from family or friends directly, and packages brought to the facility during visits, are not accepted. Governing directive: DOCCS Directive 4911.
A current list of disapproved vendors is posted at doccs.ny.gov (updated March 2026). Verify your vendor is not on this list before ordering.
Most facilities allow two food packages per month, each not to exceed 35 lbs. Non-food packages (clothing, toiletries, tobacco, etc.) do not count against the food package limit. Inmates in the SHU or with disciplinary infractions may have lost package privileges.
What can be in packages
The full allowable items list is at doccs.ny.gov/family-guide-allowable-items. Key categories and highlights:
Food: Must be commercially packaged in airtight hermetically sealed containers. No alcohol, no poppy seeds, no frozen foods, no home-prepared, bakery, restaurant, or deli foods. No glass containers. Items like canned goods (max 16 oz each), fresh fruit and vegetables (no dried), ready-to-eat meats, cheese, snacks, coffee, pastries, bread, candy, and beverages are allowed with specific restrictions.
Tobacco: Must be in original commercially sealed containers. Cigarettes require New York State Tax Stamps - no exceptions. Maximum 2 cartons per month.
Clothing: Detailed restrictions apply. Prohibited colors in most cases: blue, black, gray, orange. No leather, denim, mesh, spandex, or removable linings. Maximum value $50 per item except where noted. Footwear: no hollow or platform heels, no metal shanks, no camouflage.
Printed materials/books: Books, magazines, and periodicals may be received from the publisher or approved distributor; they may be delayed up to 6 days in the Package Room if received from other sources. All material subject to Media Review (Directive 4572).
Greeting cards: Maximum 18" x 14" when open; maximum 50 per month; no electronic cards.
Audio equipment: May only be received from manufacturer or established dealer; local permit required; clear (see-through) case only; no recording capability.
Religious articles: Subject to Directive 4202.
Art and hobby supplies: A list approved by the Superintendent must be submitted to the Package Room before these items can be received.
Legal mail
Legal mail goes directly to the facility. DOCCS encourages clearly marking envelopes as legal mail. Legal calls to attorneys are not recorded.
Sending money - JPay
DOCCS uses JPay for all account deposits. No fee for the lockbox/mail options; fees apply for phone, online, app, and MoneyGram.
Methods:
Visitor deposit lockbox (at facility): Cash (max $50 per visit, no fee), money orders or checks (max $999.99, JPay deposit slip required, no fee). Money orders and checks require the JPay deposit slip provided by the facility.
By mail (no fee): Money order or check payable to JPay. Complete a JPay deposit slip (available at the facility or jpay.com). Mail to:
JPay
P.O. Box 531190
Miami, FL 33153
Personal checks are held 10 days before being credited. Money orders are processed within 10 business days of receipt.
Online, phone, mobile app, MoneyGram (fees apply): Visit jpay.com or download the JPay app. Account not required to mail a money order.
Do not include letters or notes with money orders or checks.
JPay customer service: 800-574-5729
Email and messaging - JPay
DOCCS uses JPay for secure email, photos, and messaging via tablets. Set up an account at jpay.com and add the incarcerated individual using their DIN.
Phone calls
All incarcerated individuals have an approved telephone list with up to 15 numbers. Only the incarcerated individual can add or delete numbers. All calls (excluding legal calls) are monitored and recorded. Rates are subject to current FCC caps. Contact the facility or JPay for phone account setup.
New York county jails
New York's 62 counties operate their own jail systems. NYC Department of Correction (NYCDOC) operates Rikers Island and borough facilities separately from DOCCS. County and city jails have their own mail, deposit, and phone rules - contact each facility directly.
What to know before you send anything
Letters go directly to the facility - include the DIN and full name on every envelope. Find the facility and DIN at nysdoccslookup.doccs.ny.gov.
Maximum 5 pages of printed/photocopied material per envelope. No Polaroids, no stamps, no letters from others (except children), no nude photos.
Packages: vendors only, via DOCCS Directive 4911. Check the disapproved vendor list at doccs.ny.gov. No packages from family/friends directly. No packages during visits.
Food packages: 2 per month, 35 lbs max each. Food must be commercially sealed. Cigarettes require NY State Tax Stamps.
Money: JPay (jpay.com or 800-574-5729). No fee for lockbox or mailed money orders. Fees for online/phone/app/MoneyGram.
Email/photos: JPay at jpay.com using the individual's DIN.
County jails and NYC DOC: separate systems - contact each directly.
Related pages:
/prisons/new-york
How to send money to a New York inmate
Send mail and photos through InmateAid
Arrest Record Search (affiliate)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I mail a letter to a New York DOCCS inmate?
Directly to the facility where they are incarcerated. Include their full name and DIN (Department Identification Number) on the envelope, with your return address in the top left corner. Find the DIN and facility at nysdoccslookup.doccs.ny.gov.
What is a DIN?
The DIN (Department Identification Number) is DOCCS's unique identifier for each person in custody. It has three parts - a 2-digit year, a letter, and a 4-digit number (e.g., 98-A-0004). Always include the DIN on envelopes.
Can I send photos?
Yes - standard photos may be included in letters. No Polaroid photos. No nude photographs.
How many pages can I include in an envelope?
Maximum 5 pages of printed or photocopied material. Newspaper clippings count as 1 page each. Do not tape or glue pages together.
Can I send a package directly?
No. Packages must come from an approved vendor via USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc. Family and friends cannot mail packages directly, and packages cannot be brought during visits.
What items are allowed in packages?
Food, clothing, tobacco, books, toiletries, recreational supplies, religious articles, and more - all with specific restrictions. See the full allowable items list at doccs.ny.gov/family-guide-allowable-items. Check the disapproved vendor list at doccs.ny.gov before ordering.
How do I send money?
Through JPay at jpay.com or 800-574-5729. No fee for mailed money orders or facility lockbox deposits. Fees apply for online, phone, app, and MoneyGram deposits. Do not include letters with payment.
How do I set up email or messaging?
Through JPay at jpay.com. Create an account and add the incarcerated individual using their DIN.
What if my person is at a county jail or NYC DOC facility?
County jails and the NYC Department of Correction are separate from DOCCS and have their own rules. Contact those facilities directly. ====================================================================
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