Southport Correctional Facility

Southport Correctional Facility is an ultra maximum-security facility for male inmates that is located in Pine City, New York. Operated by the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, this facility is often referred to as the state’s “supermax” prison.

It is extremely rare for an inmate to be sent to Southport directly after sentencing. As a rule, the inmates at Southport have been transferred from other facilities after they committed serious conduct violations. However, there are exceptions, as some notorious inmates are sent to Southport for “protective custody,” so they aren’t attacked by others.

Because of the type of violent offender that is housed at Southport, this prison is considered one of the worst facilities to be incarcerated in.

In 2000, club promoter and convicted killer Michael Alig told New York magazine: “What Southport is famous for is the sh*t and the p*ss throwing. Because the inmates have no access to each other, what they do is fill cups up with shit and piss and throw it at each other. You get caught doing it once, they keep your hands handcuffed behind your back so you can't throw anything. So, if you really still want to get your neighbor with shit, guess what you do? You put it in your mouth and when you get to the yard, you spit it on someone.”

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Visiting hours at Southport Correctional Facility are on weekends and holidays between 9:00 am and 3:15 pm. You must arrive at the facility by 2:30 pm to visit with your inmate.

PIMS Level 1 & 2: inmates are allowed one visit per week
PIMS Level 3: inmates are allowed two visits per week
Cadre inmates: allowed unlimited visits

A maximum of three adults and one child are allowed to visit with an inmate at one time. Any visits commencing after 2:00 pm, when all contact visit areas are full, will be placed in a non-contact area. 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 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

Because of the high security level, programs at Southport Correctional Facility are limited.

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.

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.

Visitor Hospitality Center

The Visitor Hospitality Center provides shelter and respite for visiting families and friends prior to entering the facility. Restrooms, a baby changing station, lockers for storing personal belongings and information concerning rules and regulations pertaining to visitation, including packages for the incarcerated population, are available.

The goal of the Visitor Hospitality Centers is to enrich and strengthen family relationships by creating family/visitor friendly environments.

Pictures of Southport Correctional Facility

Careers at Southport Correctional Facility

If you are interested in a career with the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision and would like to work at the Southport Correctional Facility, you can find out more information by clicking here.