Sing Sing Correctional Facility

Sing Sing Correctional Facility is a maximum-security facility for male inmates that is located in Ossining, New York. This facility can house approximately 1,800 inmates and is operated by the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. It is located about 30 miles north of New York City on the east bank of the Hudson River.

This facility includes an Intermediate Care Program for inmates with acute to medium mental illness, a transitional Intermediate Care Program, and a Residential Crisis Treatment Program for inmates with severe mental health issues.

Sing Sing was the fifth prison built in the state of New York. The facility opened in 1826 and was once the home of “Old Sparky,” the electric chair that executed a total of 614 inmates. Sing Sing was the home of New York’s death row until the death penalty was abolished in the state in 1972.

One of the most high-profile executions that occurred at Sing Sing was of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, which took place on June 19, 1953, after they were convicted of committing espionage for the Soviety Union on nuclear weapon research.

The slang term “up the river” comes from Sing Sing and originated in 1891. The expression originated by describing someone from New York City who was sentenced to prison at Sing Sing because it is literally up the Hudson River from NYC.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Visiting hours at Sing Sing Correctional Facility are Monday through Friday from 8:15 AM to 3:00 PM. Saturday, Sunday, and holiday visiting hours are also between 8:15 AM to 3:00 PM, but they alternate based on odd/even rotation. You must arrive by 2:00 PM to visit with your inmate.

Special Housing Unit Visiting Days & Hours (Inmates in SHU custody are allowed one non-legal visit within a seven day period): 8:15 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday to Friday; Latest Arrival Time: 2:00 PM. The visiting week in the SHU runs from Thursday through Wednesday.

A maximum number of three adults and an unlimited number of children are allowed to visit an inmate at one time. For more detailed visiting information, click here.

Visitor Checklist

To make sure you are prepared for your visit, please look over the following checklist:

• Confirm that the offender has not been transferred and has visitation privileges.
• Bring valid photo identification.
• If you have made special arrangements with the facility, call before leaving to ensure that plans for your visit have been made and are in place.
• Check clothing and jewelry for compliance with visiting regulations.
• If you are bringing a child and you are not the legal guardian or parent, be sure you have a notarized statement from the child’s parent or legal guardian.
• Before leaving home, check your vehicle for contraband and/or hazardous items and be sure to remove these items before entering correctional facility grounds. 
• Arrive on the designated day during proper visiting hours.
• Leave purses, wallets, and electronic devices in the glove compartment or in the trunk of your car. 

Dress Code

Visitors should wear clothing that enhances a family atmosphere. The dress code requires visitors to wear complete modest attire with appropriate undergarments and comfortable footwear (bare feet are not allowed).

Inappropriate clothing will result in being denied entry into the facility. Please be sure to understand the dress code for visitors. It will help to have a change of clothing with you if you have any reservations about the clothes you are wearing.

Inmate mail may include personal letters (a maximum of five pages per envelope) and photographs. However, you are not allowed to send: nude photographs, Polaroid photos, postage stamps, and letters from other people, except children.

Inmates may receive a package through the mail from anyone who is not on a negative correspondence or negative vendor list. A package without a return address will not be delivered to the offender. 

Inmates are allowed two food packages per month, and the combined weight cannot exceed 35 pounds. Food items must be commercially or hermetically sealed and contain no alcohol. For exceptions, please review the list of allowable items. You can also send packages containing non-food items like clothing and tobacco.

How to Call an Inmate

How to Send Money

Programs For Inmates

The inmate programs at Sing Sing Correctional Facility include:

Adult Basic Education

The Adult Basic Education Program is provided to meet the needs of incarcerated individuals who have reading and math scores below the sixth grade level on the Department's selected standardized test in reading, mathematics, and language arts in the context of real life adult problems and situations.

Aggression Replacement Training (ART)

A cognitive behavioral intervention program designed to assist individuals in improving social skills, moral reasoning, coping with and reducing aggressive behavior through the use of self regulating exercises and mindfulness.

Carpentry

The Carpentry program covers many skills, ranging from framing walls, hanging doors, insulating, and installing sheetrock and exterior trim to laying floors. The course also involves reading blueprints and understanding building codes and weatherization.

The goal of the carpentry program is to provide the student with entry level skills in carpentry for the building construction trade area.

College Program

In addition to the New York Theological Seminary's Masters of Professional Studies Program, Sing Sing offers Hudson Link: Mercy College Associate's and Bachelor's Degree Programs.

Computer Operator

This course introduces students to the hardware and software components of computers. The main focus of the program is the operation of software, which includes word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentations.

Custodial Maintenance

The Custodial Maintenance Course emphasizes custodial services, including floor care, carpet and fabric care, upholstery care, window care, restroom care, and the safe use and operation of power cleaning equipment and sanitation chemicals.

Earned Eligibility Programs

The concept of Earned Eligibility is based upon the premise that incarcerated individuals successfully participating in assigned programs will be more likely to make a successful transition to their family and the community upon release. 

Incarcerated individuals granted Certificates of Earned Eligibility prior to their Parole Board appearance shall be granted release at the expiration of their minimum sentence or as authorized under the Shock Incarceration Program unless the Board of Parole determines their release is not compatible with the welfare of society.

Electrical Trades

This course provides instruction in basic electricity with emphasis on installing and servicing of all types of residential and commercial wiring systems. Skills taught include code interpretation, installation, and servicing of circuits and controls, use of testing equipment, reading of architectural drawings, and wiring schematics.

Family Reunion Program

The Family Reunion Program (FRP) provides approved incarcerated individuals and their families the opportunity to meet for a designated period of time in a private home-like setting.

The goals of the program include:

• Preserving and strengthening family ties that have been disrupted as a result of incarceration.
• Fostering positive and responsible conduct.
• Facilitating post-release reintegration into the family and community, thereby reducing the likelihood of recidivism.

Incarcerated Veterans Program

The Incarcerated Veterans Program is designed to address the readjustment and reentry needs of veterans returning to society following a period of incarceration. 

Masters Of Professional Studies

The Masters of Professional Studies is a two-year program of graduate level academic studies taught by the New York Theological Seminary at Sing Sing, followed by a one-year commitment to carry out a self-designed program or activity.

Network Program

The Network Program is designed to promote the positive involvement of participants in an environment that focuses on their successful community reentry. The goal of this program is to assist individuals in learning cooperative work and leadership skills, while demonstrating responsible behaviors before returning home.

Plumbing and Heating

Students in Plumbing and Heating Course learn the installation of water, gas, waste disposal systems, and heating units in buildings and homes. This program covers basic instruction in plumbing, including code restrictions, blueprint reading, fixtures for domestic and commercial establishments, as well as oil burner repair and servicing.

Rising Hope Inc. Program In Ministry and Human Services

The Certificate in Ministry and Human Services is a one-year program taught by community volunteers and under the coordination of Rising Hope, Inc. The goal of the certificate program is to provide incarcerated individuals the opportunity to take post-secondary level courses.

Sex Offender Counseling and Treatment Program

The Sex Offender Counseling and Treatment Program (SOCTP) is a comprehensive program of counseling and treatment offered by the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision for convicted sex offenders and other offenders the Department identifies as likely to benefit from sex offender counseling and treatment based upon a study of their background.

Small Engine Repair

The Small Engine Repair course provides training in the repair and maintenance of lawn and garden equipment, recreational vehicles and motorcycles. Students learn troubleshooting, including testing, diagnosis and repair. Skills taught include major engine overhaul, ignition testing and servicing, fuel system servicing and repair, mower blade replacement and servicing, power drive and transmitting systems, and understanding schematics and specifications.

Welding

Students are taught various techniques of arc, oxyacetylene, tungsten inert gas (TIG) and metallic inert gas (MIG) welding and cutting. They learn control of equipment in the various positions of welding, as well as many types of joints, beads, welds and braces. This course includes blueprint reading and working from layouts and diagrams.

Youth Assistance Program

The Youth Assistance Program is specifically designed to provide positive guidance and direction to at-risk youth in the surrounding community from becoming involved in illegal activities or committing crimes which may lead to the criminal justice system.

The program includes presentations by selected facilitators who are incarcerated. They discuss the circumstances and behaviors that led to their incarceration and the consequences of life in prison.

Pictures of Sing Sing Correctional Facility

Careers at Sing Sing Correctional Facility