Find Inmate Population in New York County

New York County inmate population records are managed by the NYC Department of Correction, not a county sheriff. Manhattan is the borough that covers New York County. People arrested here are processed through central booking and held at NYC DOC facilities, most of which are on Rikers Island. The Bellevue Hospital Prison Ward on 1st Avenue also holds inmates who need medical care. You can search for inmates through the NYC DOC Person in Custody Lookup, VINELink, or the state DOCCS database for those sent to state prison.

NYC Department of Correction and New York County Inmate Population

The NYC Department of Correction provides care and custody of people ordered held by the courts in all five boroughs, including New York County. Unlike most New York counties where a sheriff runs the jail, Manhattan inmates go through the NYC DOC system. Commissioner Stanley Richards and First Deputy Commissioner Margaret "Meg" Egan lead the department. The staff includes both uniformed and non-uniformed workers dedicated to creating safe conditions and helping people re-enter their communities after release.

Most inmates from Manhattan are housed at Rikers Island facilities in Queens. The main facilities include the Eric M. Taylor Center at 10-10 Hazen Street, the George R. Vierno Center at 09-09 Hazen Street, the Otis Bantum Correctional Center at 16-00 Hazen Street, the Robert N. Davoren Center at 11-11 Hazen Street, and the West Facility at 16-06 Hazen Street. The Rose M. Singer Center at 19-19 Hazen Street houses female inmates. The North Infirmary Command provides medical care.

The Bellevue Hospital Prison Ward at 462 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10016, is located in Manhattan itself. It holds inmates who need hospital-level care. The Elmhurst Hospital Prison Ward at 79-01 Broadway in Queens also serves the system. Rikers Island is accessible via Q101 or Q100 bus routes. The Benjamin Ward Visit Center is at 18-31 Hazen Street, East Elmhurst, NY 11370.

How to Search New York County Inmate Population

The NYC DOC Person in Custody Lookup is the main tool for finding someone in DOC custody. You can search by name or booking number. The system shows current location, charges, and bail information. It covers all five boroughs, including Manhattan. Manhattan arrest numbers begin with "M" followed by digits. The lookup is available around the clock. It does not cover people in police custody, state prison, or federal detention.

You can also call NYC 311 by dialing 311 or 212-639-9675 to find an arrested person. This service is only available by phone. For people sent to state prison, use the DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup. It covers anyone currently or formerly in a state facility. Search by name and birth year or by DIN. Youthful offenders and sealed convictions under CPL §160.50 are not shown.

VINELink also works for NYC DOC inmates. VINE lets you sign up for free alerts when someone is released or moved. Notifications come by email, text, or phone. The toll-free number is 1-866-277-7477. The NYS Find an Incarcerated Individual page also directs you to the right lookup tool based on where the person is held.

Visiting Inmates from New York County

In-person visits at NYC DOC facilities operate on a walk-in basis. Pre-registration is not available. Visit days are Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Wednesday and Thursday registration runs from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Weekend registration runs from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The visit schedule is based on the first letter of the inmate's last name, so check the schedule before you go.

A Virtual Visitors Center is available. Televisits happen on Fridays. Packages are accepted during visiting hours as of December 20, 2025. You can also drop packages at the Rikers Bail and Package Reception area. Mailing packages is still an option too. Special permission is needed for anyone on probation or parole to visit an inmate. Written approval from the supervising officer is required.

Inmate Population Records and FOIL

Records from the NYC DOC are available through FOIL. The Freedom of Information Law gives the public a right to government records with some limits. Submit a written request to the NYC DOC records access officer. The agency must respond within five business days. Copy fees are 25 cents per page. If the request takes more than two hours of staff time, they may charge the hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee who can do the work.

For state-level records, the DOCCS FOIL page explains the process. Mail requests to the Records Access Officer at Harriman State Campus, 1220 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12226-2050. Email: folofficer@doccs.ny.gov. Fax: 518-453-8474. Records can be viewed in person by appointment on business days from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Under Correction Law §9, DOCCS removes certain non-violent offender information from its website three years after the person finishes their sentence and supervision. Sealed records under CPL §160.59 are also not public. The OCA Criminal History Record Search checks criminal case records across all 62 counties for $95 per search.

State Resources for New York County Inmate Population

New York County falls under the NYC DOC system, which reports its jail population statistics to the NYS Commission of Correction separately from the 57 upstate and Long Island counties. NYC DOC data includes all five boroughs combined. The Commission publishes quarterly statistics and monthly jail population reports. NYC jail population figures have been reported to the state since 2016.

The NYC DOC Person in Custody Lookup system lets you search for inmates held at Rikers Island and other DOC facilities serving Manhattan.

The Division of Criminal Justice Services publishes crime statistics for New York County. Data is available at the county level and breaks down arrests, dispositions, and case processing times. DCJS also manages the statewide criminal history record system and the Sex Offender Registry.

Bellevue Hospital Prison Ward at 462 1st Avenue in Manhattan holds inmates from the NYC DOC system who need hospital-level medical care.

New York County Area

New York County is the same as the borough of Manhattan. It is part of New York City, which spans five counties.

Manhattan neighborhoods include Harlem, Midtown, Lower Manhattan, the Upper East Side, and the Upper West Side. All arrests within the borough are processed through the NYC DOC system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border or are near New York County. Each NYC borough is its own county with inmates going through the NYC DOC system.