Collins Correctional Facility is a medium-security prison located in upstate New York. The facility houses male inmates and has a capacity of 1,093 individuals. It is operated by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS).
The facility is situated on a 1,800-acre site and consists of 25 buildings, including housing units, administrative offices, and support facilities. Collins Correctional Facility offers a range of programs and services to inmates, including educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services. The facility also has a Special Housing Unit (SHU) and a Residential Rehabilitation Unit (RRU) for inmates who require additional supervision or treatment.
Collins Correctional Facility has a strict visiting policy, with visitation hours limited to weekends and holidays. Visitors must arrive before 2:30 p.m. and are required to follow a dress code and other rules and regulations. The facility also provides resources for families and friends of inmates, including information on sending mail, making phone calls, and depositing funds into an inmate’s account.
| Security | Medium |
| Capacity | 1,093 |
| Physical Address | Middle Road Collins, NY 14034-0490 |
| Mailing Address | Middle Road P.O. Box 340, Zip 14034-0340 Collins, NY 14034-0490 |
| Can You Send Gifts? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Depends on the Unit |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (716) 532-4588 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
History of Collins Correctional Facility
Collins Correctional Facility is a medium-security prison located in Collins, New York. The facility was originally built in 1931 as part of the Gowanda Psychiatric Center, which was a mental health institution. It was converted into a correctional facility in 1990 after the state of New York closed the psychiatric center.
The facility is named after the town of Collins, which is located in Erie County, New York. The town was named after the Congressman and Governor of Rhode Island, Christopher G. Champlin, who was a friend of the town’s founder, Joseph Ellicott.
The prison has a capacity of 1,093 inmates and is operated by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. It houses male inmates who are serving sentences of up to 25 years.
The facility has a long history of implementing programs and initiatives to help inmates successfully reintegrate into society. These programs include vocational training, educational courses, and substance abuse treatment.
In 2019, the facility underwent a PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) audit, which found that the facility was in compliance with the national standards for preventing, detecting, and responding to sexual abuse and harassment. The audit also found that the facility had a comprehensive system in place for reporting and investigating allegations of sexual abuse.
Overall, Collins Correctional Facility has a rich history and continues to play an important role in the New York State correctional system.
Facility Overview
Collins Correctional Facility is a medium-security prison located in the town of Collins in Erie County, New York. The facility is used for males 18 years of age or older and has a capacity of approximately 1,090 inmates. Collins Correctional Facility is divided into two compounds, known as Collins I and Collins II, which are separated by Middle Road.
Medium Security Prison
Collins Correctional Facility is classified as a medium-security prison, which means it houses inmates who have committed crimes that are not considered violent or dangerous. Inmates at Collins Correctional Facility have access to a variety of programs to help them while they are incarcerated. These programs include Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment Programs, Anger Management Programs, and Educational Programs.
Special Housing Unit
Collins Correctional Facility has a Special Housing Unit (SHU) for inmates who have violated prison rules or are considered a danger to themselves or others. The SHU is a maximum-security area within the prison that is designed to provide additional security and control. Inmates in the SHU are typically confined to their cells for 23 hours a day and have limited access to programs and services.
Overall, Collins Correctional Facility is a well-maintained and secure facility that provides inmates with access to a variety of programs and services. However, as with any correctional facility, there are rules and regulations that must be followed, and inmates who violate these rules may be subject to disciplinary action, including placement in the SHU.
Inmate Population
Collins Correctional Facility is a medium-security level facility for male inmates. The facility has a capacity of 1,093 inmates.
Sex Offenders
Collins Correctional Facility houses a significant number of sex offenders. According to the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, as of July 2023, there are 250 sex offenders incarcerated at the facility. The facility has specialized programs for sex offenders, including counseling, education, and treatment programs. These programs are designed to help sex offenders understand the nature of their offense and develop strategies to avoid reoffending.
Incarcerated Youth
Collins Correctional Facility does not house youth inmates. The facility only houses male inmates who are 18 years of age or older. However, the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision has several facilities that are specifically designed to house youth inmates. These facilities provide specialized programs and services that are tailored to the unique needs of youth offenders.
In conclusion, Collins Correctional Facility houses a diverse inmate population, including a significant number of sex offenders. While the facility does not house youth inmates, the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision has several facilities that are specifically designed to meet the needs of this population.
Visiting Hours and Regulations
Collins Correctional Facility allows visitation for inmates to maintain family and community ties. The facility has specific visiting hours and regulations that visitors must follow.
Visitor Guidelines
Visitors must follow certain guidelines when visiting Collins Correctional Facility. These guidelines include:
- Visitors must be on the inmate’s approved visitation list.
- Visitors must present a valid photo ID.
- Visitors must pass a security check before entering the facility.
- Visitors must dress appropriately and modestly.
- Visitors must not bring any personal items, including cell phones, into the facility.
Visitors who fail to follow these guidelines may not be allowed to visit the inmate.
Visiting Hours
Collins Correctional Facility has specific visiting hours for inmates. Visiting hours are as follows:
- Regular visitation hours are on Weekends and Holidays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with the latest arrival time at 2:30 p.m.
- Special Housing Unit and Residential Rehabilitation Unit visitation hours are from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with the latest arrival time at 8:00 p.m.
Visitors should arrive early to ensure they have enough time to complete the security check and visit with the inmate. Weekend visitation is divided into specific segments of the population by the last digit of the DIN. Holiday visitation is open to all incarcerated individuals. For a detailed schedule, click here.
Telephone Use
Inmates at Collins Correctional Facility are allowed to make phone calls to approved telephone numbers. Visitors may receive phone calls from inmates if they have provided their phone number to the facility.
Visitors should be aware that calls from inmates are subject to monitoring and recording. Visitors should also be aware that they may be charged for accepting calls from inmates.
Overall, visitors should be familiar with the guidelines and regulations of Collins Correctional Facility before visiting an inmate. By following these guidelines, visitors can help ensure a safe and successful visitation experience.
Programs and Rehabilitation
Collins Correctional Facility offers a range of programs and services to support inmates’ rehabilitation and successful reentry into society. These programs focus on education, vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services.
The facility provides educational programs, including adult basic education and high school equivalency programs. Inmates can also participate in vocational training programs, such as auto mechanics, welding, and horticulture. These programs help inmates develop valuable job skills that can lead to gainful employment upon release.
Collins Correctional Facility also offers substance abuse treatment programs, including Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment (ASAT), Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), and Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) programs. These programs help inmates address their substance abuse issues and develop coping strategies to maintain sobriety.
In addition, the facility provides mental health services, including individual and group therapy sessions. The mental health staff works with inmates to address a range of issues, such as depression, anxiety, and trauma.
The Work Ethic Camp is another program offered at Collins Correctional Facility. This program is designed to promote positive work habits and attitudes among inmates. Inmates in the program engage in meaningful work assignments, such as construction, maintenance, and farming. They also participate in educational and vocational training programs to develop job skills.
Finally, the facility has a library where inmates can access books and other reading materials. The library provides a range of resources, including educational materials, fiction and non-fiction books, and legal resources. Inmates can also participate in book clubs and writing workshops to develop their literacy skills.
Overall, Collins Correctional Facility’s programs and services aim to support inmates’ rehabilitation and successful reentry into society. These programs provide inmates with the skills and resources they need to become productive members of society upon release.
Parole and Release
Collins Correctional Facility has a parole board that is responsible for reviewing the cases of inmates who are eligible for release. The parole board considers various factors, including the inmate’s behavior while incarcerated, the nature of the offense, and the inmate’s plans for reintegration into society. If the parole board determines that an inmate is eligible for release, they may grant parole.
Inmates who are granted parole are released from the facility, but they are still under the supervision of the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. The parolee must adhere to certain conditions, such as regular check-ins with a parole officer, attending counseling or treatment programs, and refraining from criminal activity. Failure to comply with these conditions can result in the revocation of parole and a return to prison.
In addition to parole, inmates may also be released through other means. For example, an inmate may be released after serving their entire sentence, or they may be released through a process known as conditional release. Conditional release allows an inmate to be released early from their sentence, but they are still under the supervision of the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.
Once an inmate is released from Collins Correctional Facility, they may face a variety of challenges as they reintegrate into society. The facility offers various programs and resources to help inmates prepare for release, such as vocational training, educational programs, and counseling services. Additionally, the facility works closely with community organizations to provide support and resources to released inmates as they transition back into their communities.
Overall, the parole and release process at Collins Correctional Facility is designed to balance the needs of public safety with the goal of rehabilitating inmates and helping them successfully reintegrate into society.