I posted on the main New York forum about my situation. I've been told that I'm looking at 30-90 days when I go back and that most likely it will be be in Rikers. That freaked me out alot but somebody said it isn't as bad as it was. I know there's general info. above but there's so much and some of it could be out of date so sorry for posting again. The main things I would like to find out are:

* Any idea which jail I would go to - first time, 23 male, short sentence, Class A misdem.?
* What are visits like - how often and how long - would they be open or behind glass?
* Do you get phonecalls and is there much stuff you can buy there?
* What, if anything, can you bring in?
* Are you in cells (if so - on your own or with other) or in dorms?
* How long are you locked up for each day?
* Will I be allowed to smoke?
* Do you get alot of shit there - like stripsearches, hassle from guards etc.?
* Would I likely to have any problems - white Irish (but lived in US for 10 years before)?

I know these are pretty basic and I will probably get the info later on anyway but just thought if anybody knows people on here will. Will read through the other stuff but any up to date info would be great.

I posted on the main New York forum about my situation. I've been told that I'm looking at 30-90 days when I go back and that most likely it will be be in Rikers. That freaked me out alot but somebody said it isn't as bad as it was. I know there's general info. above but there's so much and some of it could be out of date so sorry for posting again. The main things I would like to find out are:

* Any idea which jail I would go to - first time, 23 male, short sentence, Class A misdem.?
* What are visits like - how often and how long - would they be open or behind glass?
* Do you get phonecalls and is there much stuff you can buy there?
* What, if anything, can you bring in?
* Are you in cells (if so - on your own or with other) or in dorms?
* How long are you locked up for each day?
* Will I be allowed to smoke?
* Do you get alot of shit there - like stripsearches, hassle from guards etc.?
* Would I likely to have any problems - white Irish (but lived in US for 10 years before)?

I know these are pretty basic and I will probably get the info later on anyway but just thought if anybody knows people on here will. Will read through the other stuff but any up to date info would be great.

Hi, sorry to hear that you're getting ready to spend time at Rikers, but at least it's for a short time. What I know is from my man being locked up and it's not a whole lot. Where they send you seems to be based on where they have availabilities. There is a specific building for guys who are getting ready to go upstate, you probably won't be sent there. But I don't know about the rest. My guy was sent to a max on Rikers although he went in for a nonviolent offense on a short bid. According to him, there are gangs throughout the buildings, it's worse in some houses and units than others. But if you can mind your business and not get involved with them at all it doesn't seem to be a problem. My guy was in his own cell in GRVC, but when he went to ARDC he was in a dorm setting, so again it seems to depend on where you're at. The visits are an hour long although I've had visits that lasted 1 1/2 to 2 hours that was mostly in ARDC where they are real lenient with visits, everything is laid back about the guards there (in my experience). Visits were always contact visits. I heard of people getting visits in booths when the visitor's id tested positive on the ion scanner, which could be due to them handling drugs or even if their id was next to money (it's so stupid). You can make calls out. They give you a 6 minute call every 5 or 6 hours, I believe. And if you have money in commissary you can also make (2) 15 minute calls a day.

My guy said he was able to walk around for most of the day but he chose to stay in his cell to stay away from the other guys so as to avoid any drama. I'm not sure but I don't think you can smoke...again I'm not 100% sure on that one. They don't allow certain types of sneakers and shower shoes in...I know when my guy went there he had some Nike Airs and they confiscated them along with a pair of shower slippers because of the color. Nothing with gang colors is allowed in and no Nike items at all are allowed.

Hope that was helpful. I'm sure some other folks will come along with more info for you.

Good luck:thumbsup:

My guy said he was able to walk around for most of the day but he chose to stay in his cell to stay away from the other guys so as to avoid any drama. I'm not sure but I don't think you can smoke...again I'm not 100% sure on that one. They don't allow certain types of sneakers and shower shoes in...I know when my guy went there he had some Nike Airs and they confiscated them along with a pair of shower slippers because of the color. Nothing with gang colors is allowed in and no Nike items at all are allowed.

Good luck:thumbsup:

just to piggyback....

the colors...no black, red, blue, yellow, green. if i were you i'd stick to gray/white. no nikes or shoes with air bubbles. adidas & reebok classics are probably your best best (in white/gray or black & white). they are a little easier about the things people mail to you versus the things they try to bring on a visit. since you're going to be in for a short time i'd say that you have someone send you clean shirts, undies, and socks....and try to keep your stuff to a min. good luck!

I posted on the main New York forum about my situation. I've been told that I'm looking at 30-90 days when I go back and that most likely it will be be in Rikers. That freaked me out alot but somebody said it isn't as bad as it was. I know there's general info. above but there's so much and some of it could be out of date so sorry for posting again. The main things I would like to find out are:



I know these are pretty basic and I will probably get the info later on anyway but just thought if anybody knows people on here will. Will read through the other stuff but any up to date info would be great. Hi there. My hubby was at Rikers from Feb. 2003 - June 2004, so I know a bit about it, but the rules might've changed since then. As far as I know...

* Any idea which jail I would go to - first time, 23 male, short sentence, Class A misdem.?
No idea, sorry.

* What are visits like - how often and how long - would they be open or behind glass?
My hubby was in 3 different dorms at Rikers, all visits were open. The most you can have is 3 per week, according to the schedule found here (at the bottom): http://www.nyc.gov/html/doc/html/how/visit_inmate.shtml. The visits are an hour each, but tell your loved one to expect the entire process from entering the facility to leaving it to take about 4-5 hours. In 2 of the dorms, we sat at a small round plastic table across from each other; we were the only ones at the table. At the other dorm, we sat at a long picnic-like table across from each other with other inmates and visitors literally 6 inches away from us. When he got sent to "the Bing," we had to visit inside a supervised cell. I never had a visit behind glass there.

* Do you get phonecalls and is there much stuff you can buy there?
From what I remember, he was allowed three free 15-minute phone calls per week as long as it was to a 718 number. I don't really know about the commissary there, sorry.

* What, if anything, can you bring in?
Not sure what you can bring in, but here's a link to what can be mailed to you once you're in: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doc/html/how/deliver_items.shtml

* Are you in cells (if so - on your own or with other) or in dorms?
My hubby was always in dorms.

* How long are you locked up for each day?
I think my hubby had like 4 hours of rec per day or something like that.

* Will I be allowed to smoke?
Last I heard, smoking was outlawed at Rikers. It might've changed though.

* Do you get alot of shit there - like stripsearches, hassle from guards etc.?
Umm... I guess it depends. Just try to be respectful to the guards and other inmates and mind your own business with sh*t that don't concern you.

* Would I likely to have any problems - white Irish (but lived in US for 10 years before)?
My husband is white - blonde hair, blue eyes. Some dudes messed with him, but I don't think cuz he was white. Like I said, just try to respect the guards and other inmates and you should be fine.


Good luck with everything. :)

Thanks for the info. Good to hear you can have your own clothes. The calls seem OK too. Will find it tough not being able to smoke though.

I'm going to say this, GOOD LUCK on rikers. Depending on the building you could really have a rough time. One of the most notorious housing areas is GRVC. There is always something happening over there. But more than likely you will be in a dorm setting they will give you a job and you will be fine.