Richmond County, New York Inmate Search
An inmate search in Richmond County (also called Staten Island) is the process of locating someone held in government custody. Richmond County is the only borough in New York City without a permanent jail and relies on facilities outside its borders to house inmates. New York City jails are generally managed by the New York City Department of Correction, so the search process is the same regardless of the facility where the inmate is kept. An inmate search helps researchers determine an inmate’s exact location and obtain information about their incarceration.
How to Find an Inmate in Richmond County Jail
Richmond County does not have its own jail. Instead, individuals arrested in the county are managed by the New York City Department of Correction. Individuals can generally search for an inmate using the DOC Person In Custody Lookup Service. The service allows the public to search through jail records to determine if a person is behind bars.
However, an inmate will appear on the portal only if they have been transferred to a detention facility on Rikers Island. Sometimes, when local law enforcement arrests an individual, they may be held for up to 48 hours in order to stand before a judge before being transferred to jail. During this period, their record will not be available on the Person In Custody Lookup Service, but it can be obtained by contacting the police department by phone.
Below is the address of the NYC Department of Correction and the Visitors Center for Rikers Island facilities.
NYC Department of Correction
New York City Department of Correction
75-20 Astoria Boulevard
East Elmhurst, NY 11370
Benjamin Ward Visit Center
18-31 Hazen Street
East Elmhurst, NY 11370
How to Use the Richmond County Jail Roster
To locate and use the Richmond County jail roster, individuals may open their web browser and go to the NYC Department of Correction homepage. Once the homepage loads, users should look for the "Person in Custody Lookup" link, located in the Quicklinks section.
Once the lookup link has been located and clicked, users will be taken to the search page, where they can enter the inmate’s NYSID, book and case number, or their name. Entering the necessary details and clicking the search button initiates the search, and any matching results will be displayed on the next page.
What Information is Included in the Richmond County Inmate Roster
The New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) governs all governmental records in the state, including inmate records. Under this law, inmate records are presumed public unless a specific legal exception applies. This means that members of the public are free to inspect an inmate record unless the specific record or information is restricted by law.
Open contents of a Richmond County inmate record include
- Identification Details: Full legal name, date of birth, and race/ethnicity.
- Custody Status: Whether the inmate is currently in custody or has been released.
- ID Numbers: The Book and Case Number, as well as the NYSID (New York State Identification Number).
- Current Location: The specific jail facility where the inmate is housed.
- Booking Information: Current charges and bail or bond amount.
The following details may also be contained in an inmate’s record but are not available to the public:
- Youthful offender records
- Sensitive personal information
- Phone and mail logs
- The inmate’s security classification
Contact Details for Richmond County Jail or Sheriff’s Office
Individuals who need information or have questions about an inmate or the jail system in Richmond County may utilize the contact information below.
NYC Department of Correction
75-20 Astoria Boulevard
East Elmhurst, NY 11370
Phone: 311 (or (212) 639-9675 from outside NYC)
Benjamin Ward Visit Center
18-31 Hazen Street
East Elmhurst, NY 11370
Jail Facility Overview in Richmond County
Richmond County is part of the New York City jail system and does not have its own traditional county jail for long-term detention. Instead, the county relies on a system of city-wide facilities. When an individual is arrested, they are held by the arresting agency until they appear before a judge, which occurs within the first 48 hours of their apprehension. Once the judge orders someone to be held (either without bail or because they cannot pay it), they are transferred out of Staten Island (Richmond County) to a facility on Rikers Island.
Prior to 2025, individuals arrested in Richmond County were kept in the Brooklyn Detention Center. However, the facility has been demolished to make way for a new, modern Borough-Based Jail. The new facility is scheduled for completion in 2027 and will have an 886-bed capacity, 292 parking spaces, and 30,000 sq. ft. of community space. Once completed, the center will resume holding adult inmates from Brooklyn and Richmond County.
Juveniles are not held at Rikers Island. They are typically taken to secure youth facilities, such as the Crossroads Juvenile Center in Brooklyn or the Horizon Juvenile Center in the Bronx, which are managed by the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS).
Agency | Office and Mail Address | Phone Number | Office Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Otis Bantum Correctional Center (OBCC) | 16-00 Hazen Street East Elmhurst, NY 11370 | 311 (or (212) 639-9675 from outside NYC) | 24 hours a day/7 days a week | |
Anna M. Kross Center (AMKC) | 18-18 Hazen Street East Elmhurst, NY 11370 | 311 (or (212) 639-9675 from outside NYC) | 24 hours a day/7 days a week | |
North Infirmary Command (NIC) | 15-00 Hazen Street East Elmhurst, NY 11370 | 311 (or (212) 639-9675 from outside NYC) | 24 hours a day/7 days a week | |
Robert N. Davoren Complex (RNDC) | 11-11 Hazen Street East Elmhurst, NY 11370 | 311 (or (212) 639-9675 from outside NYC) | 24 hours a day/7 days a week | |
Rose M. Singer Center (RMSC) | 19-19 Hazen Street East Elmhurst, NY 11370 | 311 (or (212) 639-9675 from outside NYC) | 24 hours a day/7 days a week | |
Rose M. Singer Enhanced Supervised Housing (RESH) | 19-19 Hazen Street East Elmhurst, NY 11370 | 311 (or (212) 639-9675 from outside NYC) | 24 hours a day/7 days a week | |
Eric M. Taylor Center (EMTC) | 10-10 Hazen Street East Elmhurst, NY 11370 | 311 (or (212) 639-9675 from outside NYC) | 24 hours a day/7 days a week | |
George R. Vierno Center (GRVC) | 09-09 Hazen Street East Elmhurst, NY 11370 | 311 (or (212) 639-9675 from outside NYC) | 24 hours a day/7 days a week | |
West Facility (WF) | 16-06 Hazen Street East Elmhurst, NY 11370 | 311 (or (212) 639-9675 from outside NYC) | 24 hours a day/7 days a week |
How to Send Money to an Inmate in a Rikers Island Facility
When an individual is arrested in Richmond County and detained in jail, a "person in custody" account is created for them. This account is used for all financial transactions (including receiving money from loved ones) they may need to make in jail, as hard currency (cash) is considered contraband.
The NYC Department of Correction uses third-party money transfer agents (see DOC Send Money page for the list of agents) to handle transfers from family and friends to inmates. Deposits can be made over the phone, on the agent’s website, and in person at the agent’s office or at a kiosk in the DOC cashier’s office (for agents who have set up kiosks there).
The DOC does not prioritize or recommend one agent over the other. Depositors may conduct their research and choose their preferred agent. Each agent charges a fee for deposits. The fee varies by agent.
Inmate Search by Jail Facility
As of early 2026, there are several facilities (located on Rikers Island) where a Richmond County inmate may be kept, pending the completion of the Brooklyn Detention Center. These facilities are under the control of the NYC Department of Corrections. Individuals can generally search for an inmate using the DOC’s Person in Custody Lookup tool or by calling the DOC Office.
Richmond County Visitation Rules and Schedules
Visitation for individuals held in custody can generally happen in person or by video (known as televisits). In-person visits occur on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Visitors do not need to make an appointment beforehand, as visits are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. On the other hand, televists take place on Fridays and must be scheduled in advance online.
Visits are scheduled based on the first letter of the incarcerated person’s last name. The days for "A-L", "M-Z", and "A-Z" rotate. Visitors may check the DOC’s Visitation Schedule page for the current schedule (usually refreshed monthly).
Individuals who want to visit an inmate in person must be at the facility during the registration hours. Registration for Wednesday and Thursday visits starts at 1:00 p.m. and ends at 6:00 p.m., while that for Saturday and Sunday starts at 7:00 a.m. and ends at 12:00 p.m. As mentioned earlier, televisits occur on Friday and must be scheduled in advance. Individuals may pre-register by completing the Televisit Request Form.
Visitors may review the DOC’s Visit Transportation, Visiting with Children, and Visitors’ Dress Code pages to obtain information on visitation rules and other necessary details.
Mailing and Commissary Information
Individuals may send mail to an inmate in a New York City jail (such as those from Richmond County currently held at Rikers Island), provided they follow mailing guidelines and address it to the correct facility. A mail may contain a letter or a package. Whichever it is, the sender should affix postage and mail it to the facility where the inmate is housed (see the list of correctional facilities). The mail should include the inmate’s full name, book and case number, and the correct address of the facility.
All mail is opened and inspected for contraband before it is handed over to the inmate. Examples of contraband include cash, stamps, and jewelry. Individuals may review the Mailing Packages page for instructions on mailing care packages.