Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women is a maximum-security prison located in the town of Bedford, New York. It is the largest women’s prison in New York State and is designed to house over 900 female inmates. The facility is operated by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS).
Bedford Hills Correctional Facility has a long history of providing educational and vocational programs to its inmates. These programs are designed to help women develop the skills they need to succeed after their release. In addition to traditional academic courses, the facility offers vocational training in fields such as cosmetology, horticulture, and computer technology. The facility also has a nursery program for eligible incarcerated women who give birth in prison, enabling them to maintain custody of their child in the nursery for up to a year.
Despite its many programs and services, Bedford Hills Correctional Facility has faced criticism over the years for its treatment of inmates. In 2015, the facility was the subject of a class-action lawsuit alleging that women at the prison had been subjected to sexual abuse and harassment by male prison staff. The lawsuit was settled in 2018 for $11.5 million, and the facility has since implemented a number of reforms to improve the safety and well-being of its inmates.
| Security | Maximum |
| Capacity | 819 |
| Physical Address | 247 Harris Road Bedford Hills, NY 10507-2400 |
| Mailing Address | 247 Harris Road Bedford Hills, NY 10507-2400 |
| Can You Send Gifts? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Daily: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (914) 241-3100 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
History and Background
Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women is a maximum-security prison located in Westchester County, New York. It is the largest women’s prison in New York State and houses approximately 800 inmates.
The facility was established in 1901 as the Westfield State Farm for Women, a reformatory for women. It was later renamed Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in 1978. The prison has a long history of being a maximum-security facility, with many of its inmates being convicted of serious offenses such as murder, assault, and drug trafficking.
Over the years, the facility has undergone several changes to improve the conditions for its inmates. In the 1930s, the prison began offering academic courses and vocational training programs to its inmates. In the 1960s, the facility underwent a major renovation, which included the construction of a new cell block and a medical unit.
Despite these improvements, the prison has faced criticism for its treatment of inmates. In the 1970s, the facility was the subject of a lawsuit filed by inmates who claimed that they were subjected to inhumane conditions. The lawsuit resulted in a consent decree, which mandated that the prison improve its medical and mental health services.
Today, Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women remains a maximum-security prison, housing some of the most dangerous female offenders in New York State. The facility offers a range of programs and services to its inmates, including educational and vocational training programs, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services.
Facility Description
Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women is a maximum-security prison located in Bedford Hills, New York. The facility is situated on 200 acres of land and has a capacity of approximately 800 inmates. It is the largest women’s prison in New York State and is operated by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.
The facility consists of several housing units, including general population, special housing unit (SHU), and infirmary units. The general population housing units are divided into several blocks, with each block consisting of several cells. The cells are designed to hold one or two inmates and are equipped with a bed, a desk, and a toilet.
The SHU is a separate unit designed to house inmates who have violated prison rules or pose a threat to themselves or others. Inmates in the SHU are allowed one non-legal visit per week, and their visitation hours are restricted to 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The infirmary is a medical unit staffed by healthcare professionals who provide medical and mental health services to the inmates. The facility has a hospital on-site, which provides a higher level of medical care to inmates who require it.
Overall, Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women provides a secure and structured environment for its inmates. The facility is committed to providing educational and vocational programs, counseling and treatment services, and opportunities for religious practices and volunteer programs to assist with reintegration into society.
Inmate Population
Bedford Hills Correctional Facility is a maximum-security prison for women in Westchester County, New York. As of July 2023, the facility holds approximately 800 women, with an average age of 35 years old. The majority of women incarcerated at Bedford Hills have been convicted of serious offenses, including violent crimes and drug-related offenses.
The prison population at Bedford Hills is diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. According to the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, as of 2023, the facility’s population is 45% African American, 30% Hispanic, 23% White, and 2% other. Additionally, 80% of the inmates are mothers, and many have young children.
Incarceration can take a toll on mental and physical health, and the women at Bedford Hills are no exception. The prison offers a range of programs and services to help inmates cope with the stress of incarceration, including counseling, educational opportunities, and vocational training. However, the prison has faced criticism for inadequate healthcare services, including a lack of access to mental health care and inadequate treatment for chronic illnesses.
Despite efforts to improve conditions, life in prison can be dangerous, and deaths do occur. In 2022, two women died while in custody at Bedford Hills, one from suicide and the other from natural causes. The prison has faced criticism for its handling of these deaths and for inadequate medical care overall.
In summary, the inmate population at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility is diverse and faces a range of challenges related to incarceration, including stress, inadequate healthcare, and the risk of death. The prison offers a range of programs and services to support inmates, but there is room for improvement in terms of healthcare and overall conditions.
Visitation and Contact
Visitation is an important aspect of life for incarcerated individuals at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. The facility offers visiting hours on weekends and holidays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with the latest arrival time being 3:00 p.m. Visitors must arrive at least 15 minutes before the latest arrival time to be processed for entry. Visitors are also advised to check the facility’s visitation schedule to ensure they are visiting on the correct day, as visitation days are determined by the first letter of the incarcerated individual’s last name.
Incarcerated individuals in the SHU are permitted one non-legal visit within a seven-day period during the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., with the latest arrival time being 2:45 p.m. Visitors must be on the incarcerated individual’s approved visitation list and must present a valid government-issued photo ID to be granted entry.
Visitors are allowed to bring a small amount of money to purchase items from the commissary during their visit. The commissary offers a variety of items such as snacks, hygiene products, and clothing. Incarcerated individuals can also receive funds through the mail or by electronic transfer. Visitors can send money to an inmate through money orders or by using the JPay system.
Incarcerated individuals are allowed to make phone calls during designated times. They must provide the phone number they wish to call and the call will be placed collect. The facility also offers email services through JPay, which allows incarcerated individuals to communicate with approved contacts electronically.
Directions to the facility can be found on the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision website. Visitors are advised to arrive early to allow time for processing and to avoid any delays. It is also important to note that the facility has strict rules and regulations regarding visitation, and any violation of these rules may result in the visitor being denied entry or having their visit terminated.
Overall, Bedford Hills Correctional Facility offers various options for visitation and contact with incarcerated individuals. Visitors are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the facility’s rules and regulations to ensure a smooth and enjoyable visit.
Programs and Services
Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women provides a range of programs and services to help incarcerated individuals prepare for life after release. These programs are designed to help women develop skills, address issues that may have led to their incarceration, and connect with their families.
Education
The facility offers a variety of educational programs, including adult basic education, high school equivalency, and college courses. The facility also has a library that provides access to books, magazines, and other materials. These programs are designed to help women develop the skills they need to succeed in the workforce and in life after release.
Treatment
Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women also offers a range of treatment programs to help women address issues related to substance abuse, mental health, and trauma. These programs include individual and group counseling, as well as specialized programs for women with co-occurring disorders. The facility also has a medical unit that provides healthcare services to incarcerated individuals.
Family-Centered Programs
The facility recognizes the importance of family connections and offers several family-centered programs. These programs include parent education classes, family reunification programs, and family visitation. The facility also has a prison nursery and an infant development center, allowing incarcerated mothers to bond with their young children while receiving support and education.
Sister Elaine Roulet Program
The Sister Elaine Roulet Program is a unique program that provides incarcerated women with the opportunity to train and care for service dogs. The program helps women develop job skills and gain a sense of purpose and responsibility. The dogs are trained to assist people with disabilities, and the program has been highly successful in helping women prepare for life after release.
Overall, Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women provides a range of programs and services designed to help women develop the skills and support they need to succeed in life after release.
Legal and Public Health Issues
Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women has faced legal and public health issues over the years. The facility is run by the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, which has been subject to criticism for its handling of the criminal justice system.
One issue that has arisen at Bedford Hills is the harm caused by the smuggling of contraband into the facility. This can include drugs, weapons, and other items that can pose a danger to both inmates and staff. DOCCS has implemented measures to prevent contraband from entering the facility, including random searches and increased surveillance.
Another issue that has been raised is the impact of incarceration on families. The facility allows visits from families on weekdays and weekends, but the experience of visiting a loved one in prison can be emotionally taxing. The facility also has a reception status program to help newly arrived inmates adjust to their new surroundings.
Public health has also been a concern at Bedford Hills, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The facility has implemented measures such as increased cleaning and social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus. The nursery program, which allows incarcerated mothers to live with their newborns, has also been affected by the pandemic.
Legal issues have also arisen at Bedford Hills, such as the case of elderly inmates who are serving long sentences for non-violent crimes. The Release Aging People in Prison Campaign and the Legal Aid Society have called for the release of these inmates, arguing that they pose no threat to society and that their continued incarceration is a waste of resources.
In conclusion, Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women has faced a range of legal and public health issues over the years. While DOCCS has implemented measures to address these issues, they continue to be a concern for incarcerated individuals and their families.
Notable Inmates
Bedford Hills Correctional Facility has housed several high-profile inmates throughout its history. Some of the most notable inmates include:
- Amy Fisher: Known as the “Long Island Lolita,” Fisher gained notoriety in the early 1990s for shooting the wife of her lover, Joey Buttafuoco. She was sentenced to 5-15 years in prison for first-degree assault and served seven years at Bedford Hills before being released on parole.
- Pamela Smart: Smart was a high school teacher who was convicted of conspiring with her teenage lover to murder her husband in 1990. She was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole and has been housed at Bedford Hills since her conviction.
- Kathy Boudin: Boudin was a member of the Weather Underground, a radical left-wing organization that carried out a series of bombings in the 1970s. She was convicted of murder and robbery for her role in a 1981 Brinks truck robbery that left two police officers and a security guard dead. Boudin was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison and served 22 years at Bedford Hills before being released on parole in 2003.
- Reminisce Mackie (Remy Ma): Mackie is a rapper who was convicted of assault in 2008 for shooting a woman in the abdomen over a dispute about money. She was sentenced to 8 years in prison and served six years at Bedford Hills before being released on parole in 2014.
- Anna Sorokin (Anna Delvey): Sorokin is a Russian-born socialite who gained infamy in New York City for posing as a wealthy German heiress and scamming numerous individuals and businesses out of tens of thousands of dollars. She was convicted of multiple counts of grand larceny and theft of services in 2019 and sentenced to 4-12 years in prison. She is currently housed at Bedford Hills.
These are just a few of the notable inmates who have been housed at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility over the years. Many of them have been sentenced to consecutive life sentences, reflecting the severity of their crimes.