On any given day in New York City, the average jail population is around 15,000 inmates. A wide range of offenses could lead to a visit to jail.
Jailers often release defendants on bail soon after booking. For the loved ones of inmates, any amount of incarceration can be stressful.
If a peace officer recently arrested someone you know, this overview will cover many of the important things you will need to know to help your loved one or friend make the best out of their time behind bars. Read on to learn the basics about posting bonds, how the jail commissary works, and jail visiting hours.
What Crimes Lead to Bookings in Jail?
Many people associate arrest and jail time with violent crimes like murder or assault. But New York allows jail time for Class A and B misdemeanors. These crimes that fall below felony charges include many non-violent crimes like shoplifting and possession of a controlled substance.
New York classifies misdemeanor crimes as either A, B, or unclassified. A Class A misdemeanor can include up to one year in jail and probation conditions.
Class B misdemeanors are lesser offenses and can include up to 90 days in jail and probation. Any misdemeanor conviction will show up on a background check.
It is important to understand the difference between jails and prisons. Jails are primarily used to hold defendants who are awaiting trial. They are also used for more serious offenders.
The state or federal government holds individuals whom a judge has found guilty or suspected of a crime in jail. For individuals whom law enforcement has charged with a misdemeanor offense, most first-time offenders are not confined for the full allowable time. Most defendants are able to bail out while awaiting trial or a plea bargain.
How to Visit Inmates
If you believe a friend or loved one is being held in a New York City jail, the first step is to look up the individual. Sometimes, the individual will be able to call you directly. This will help verify their location.
If you are unsure where the defendant is being held, you can use this website to find him or her. You can search via three means.
- Department ID number
- First, last, and middle name plus date of birth
- New York State ID Number
When speaking to any official working at the jail, be sure to never discuss the case or details about the inmate's alleged offense and arrest. Only an attorney should discuss the case with jailers.
How to Call into Jails
Jail phones are used for defendants to make outside calls. No one outside the jail facility can directly call an inmate.
Your loved one can call you but only during designated hours. You cannot call back if you missed their outgoing call.
You can also write a letter to the inmate by using the jail's address, the inmate's name, and their identification number. If they have access to letterhead and postage, they can mail you back. Or, you can use the letter to direct the jail population member to call you back at a certain number and time.
How Bail Works
While it is possible for first-time offenders of minor offenses to be released from jail on their own recognizance, many defendants will have to post bail. Bail is a set amount of money that is given to the courts as collateral. The idea is to hold the money as a condition for showing up to court.
Once a judge has resolved the court case, the defendant can regain all or part of the bond amount. Typically, a defendant requires bail for more serious crimes or for repeat offenders. Jails can become overpopulated, and posting bail allows defendants to return to work while preparing their defense.
Another factor that determines the bail amount is whether the defendant is a flight risk. If a judge determines that someone is a flight risk, the judge may assign a higher bail amount. Electronic monitoring may be a condition of release on bail for these individuals.
How Do I Pay for Bail?
Bail is often only paid in part. Many people do not have thousands of dollars to post. This is where bail bond companies come in. A bondsman can offer the bail amount if the defendant or a relative of the decedent can pay a small portion of that bail.
The typical amount a defendant has to pay is around 10%. The bond company keeps that 10% amount. In return, the company posts the full amount so jailers can release the defendant.
The most common type of bond is cash bail. If the defendant misses a court date, the court may keep the bond amount.
This can mean a huge loss for the bond company. This is one reason why bond companies have a vested interest in ensuring that the defendants regularly show up to court.
How Do I Help an Inmate?
Jails are not designed to be comfortable. Jailers are only responsible for providing the most basic of human needs. These need include water, heat, cooling, food, and basic medical care.
Jail staffers are not responsible for providing snacks, coffee, or other items that are not absolutely necessary. Anything beyond those basic needs is met through the commissary system.
A Look at the Commissary System
Remember, inmates cannot have cash. Therefore, they are reliant on friends and relatives to provide commissary funds while jailers detain them. Do not try to send cash directly to the inmate because jailers may confiscate those funds.
Even if the inmate had access to cash, the currency is virtually useless inside a jail or prison system. The commissary system allows outside individuals to add funds to an online account.
Contact the jail or visit their website to learn how to upload commissary funds. You can also visit the jail directly to add funds to their account. Jails are not responsible for funding commissary accounts.
Unlike a typical bank account, you won't be able to monitor the spending habits of your loved one. Inmates are the ones who are responsible for managing their funds. You cannot determine how they spend their funds.
What Can Be Purchased at a Commissary?
Once the inmate places an order, the commissary delivers the item. The process isn't always quick, and deliveries can take a day or two. Most jails offer certain foods and drinks like candy bars and chips through the system.
Commissaries often offer personal hygiene products as well like shampoo, razors, and new toothbrushes. Paper, pencils, and envelopes are also often sold through the commissary system. Or you can buy an inmate certain articles of clothing.
Work Benefits
Inmates have two options for earning income. One is through the commissary system we just covered. The other option is to earn income through work.
Not all jails offer work options but many do. Inmates can sign up for available jobs. The work that often includes cleaning details may pay 50 cents per hour on average.
Working won't make the inmates rich. But it will give them something productive to focus on while earning funds for their commissary account. Earned income goes directly to their account every payday.
General Overview of Jail Policy for Visitations
The Department of Correction (DOC) sets rules for visiting inmates. You can visit the department's website and click "Visit Schedule" to see the applicable rules for visiting an inmate. There are limited days and times when you can do so.
The days when you can visit depend on the first letter of the inmate's last name. Be sure to call ahead so you understand the rules and guidelines.
There are strict dress codes for visitors. Avoid tight-fitting clothing or clothing that has suggestive or offensive language. Jailers require that visitors wear undergarments that are not visible.
Jail staff reserves the right to check your clothing for contraband. Not following the guidelines can result in a denied visit. Refusal to submit to a search can also result in a visit denial.
You can expect to undergo a metal detector search. Depending on the jail you visit, there may be multiple steps required before you reach the jail population.
The typical visit length is one hour. Depending on which jail you visit, the inmate may be partitioned by the glass or you may be able to briefly make contact with the inmate at the beginning and end of your visit.
Learn More About New York City Jails
New York City jails have strict rules for inmate behavior and visitations. Each jail system works under unique guidelines, and the laws governing jails vary widely from state to state. To keep up with accurate information about the jail your loved one is detailed at, you can rely on the resources provided by Jail Exchange.
Have specific questions that aren't answered by our blogs? You can contact our team online and someone will reply shortly. JAIL Exchange offers the most comprehensive and free online resources for county jail inmate searches and more.
