Elmira Correctional Facility is a maximum security prison located in Elmira, New York. It was originally opened in 1876 as the Elmira Reformatory, which was known for its progressive approach to rehabilitation. The facility is situated on Davis Street in Chemung County and is also commonly referred to as “The Hill.”
The prison has a storied history, with its most famous warden being Zebulon Brockway, who served from 1876 to 1900. During his tenure, he implemented a number of innovative programs aimed at rehabilitating inmates, such as vocational training and education. The Elmira Reformatory was also known for its use of indeterminate sentencing, which allowed for early release based on good behavior and progress toward rehabilitation.
Today, Elmira Correctional Facility houses over 1,700 inmates and serves as a reception and classification center for all males 18 years of age or older. It is one of several state prisons in New York and is known for its strict security measures. Despite its reputation as a maximum security prison, the facility still offers a number of educational and vocational programs aimed at helping inmates successfully reintegrate into society upon release.
| Security | Maximum |
| Capacity | 1,774 |
| Physical Address | 1879 Davis St Elmira, NY 14901-0500 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 500 Elmira, NY 14901-0500 |
| Can You Send Gifts? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Daily: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (607) 734-3901 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
History and Background
Elmira Correctional Facility is a maximum security prison located in Chemung County, New York. It was founded in 1876 as the Elmira Reformatory, a progressive prison that aimed to reform criminals rather than simply punish them. The reformatory was the brainchild of Zebulon Brockway, a progressive thinker who believed that criminals could be rehabilitated through education and hard work.
Under Brockway’s leadership, the reformatory became known for its innovative programs, including a grading system that rewarded good behavior and allowed inmates to progress through three grades. Inmates in the first grade were allowed more privileges and responsibilities than those in the second or third grades and were given the opportunity to learn trades and skills that would help them succeed upon release.
Over time, the reformatory evolved into a general confinement prison, housing inmates of all security levels. In 1972, it was consolidated with the nearby Elmira Reception Center to become the Elmira Correctional and Reception Center. Today, it is one of the largest prisons in New York State, with a population of over 1,500 inmates.
Elmira Correctional Facility has a storied history, with several notable events and figures associated with it. In 1878, two inmates staged a daring escape from the reformatory, inspiring the term “the Elmira breakout” to describe any prison escape. In 1913, Timothy Vail became the first inmate to be executed at the reformatory, for the murder of a fellow inmate. In 2002, National Geographic produced a documentary about the prison, entitled “Inside: Maximum Security.”
In addition to its notable inmates and events, Elmira Correctional Facility has also been associated with prison reform efforts. In the early 20th century, the reformatory was seen as a model for other prisons to follow, and its grading system was adopted by other institutions. Today, the prison continues to offer educational and vocational programs to help inmates prepare for life after release.
One of the most infamous inmates to be housed at Elmira Correctional Facility was Dwight York, the leader of the Nuwaubian cult. York was sentenced to 135 years in prison in 2004 for child molestation and racketeering. He was housed at Elmira for several years before being transferred to another facility.
Overall, Elmira Correctional Facility has a rich and complex history, reflecting changing attitudes toward criminal justice and rehabilitation over the past century and a half.
Facility Details
Elmira Correctional Facility is a maximum-security prison located in Chemung County, New York. The facility has a capacity of 1,774 inmates and is designed to house adult male offenders.
The address of Elmira Correctional Facility is 1879 Davis Street, Elmira, New York, 14901. The phone number for the facility is (607) 734-3901.
The mailing address for Elmira Correctional Facility is P.O. Box 500, Elmira, New York, 14902. Visitors should be aware that packages and articles will only be allowed to be received directly from vendors via U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, UPS, or other approved carriers. Packages will no longer be allowed to be brought to the facility during visits or mailed directly to the facility from family or friends.
Visitation
The physical address of Elmira Correctional Facility is 1879 Davis Street, Elmira, New York, 14901. Visitors should also be aware that incarcerated individuals in SHU (Special Housing Unit) custody are allowed one non-legal visit within a seven-day period during regular visitation hours and days.
Visiting Hours are daily from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. General population visits are conducted daily and there are no restrictions by name/Department Identification Number (DIN). The schedule for general population visitation can be found here. Reception center visits are conducted daily, designated by odd/even number of the calendar day, and are based on the last number of the Incarcerated Individual’s DIN. The reception visitation schedule can be found here.
Elmira Correctional Facility provides a range of business and vocational programs for inmates. These programs include Printing, Printing Plant, Cast Aluminum Foundry, Building and Custodial Maintenance, Paint Brush and Roller Fabrication, Machining, and Paint Brush and Roller Manufacturing Shop.
Overall, Elmira Correctional Facility is a well-maintained and secure facility that provides a range of programs and services for its inmates. Visitors should be aware of the facility’s rules and regulations before visiting, including restrictions on packages and articles.
Inmate Information
Elmira Correctional Facility is a maximum-security correctional facility for male felons. Inmates are assigned a Department Identification Number upon intake, which is used to identify them in the facility’s database and for all communication purposes. The facility houses inmates with different custody levels, including those in SHU custody.
Inmates are allowed to receive mail while incarcerated. Inmates’ mailing addresses should include their full name, DIN, and the facility’s address. The facility’s address is Elmira Correctional Facility, P.O. Box 500, Elmira, NY 14902-0500. The facility also provides a database for inmate search, which can be accessed by interested parties to locate an inmate’s current location and status.
Elmira Correctional Facility provides counseling services to sex offenders, including those convicted of statutory rape. The facility has been in the news recently for housing Harvey Weinstein, a convicted sex offender. Inmates in SHU custody are allowed one non-legal visit within a seven-day period during regular visitation hours and days. Each seven-day period begins at the conclusion of the last visit.
The facility houses only male inmates, and all inmates are identified by their sex. Inmates are assigned an ID number upon intake, which is used to identify them in the facility’s database and for all communication purposes. The facility provides a reception center for newly arrived inmates, where they are processed and evaluated before being assigned to a housing unit.
Programs and Rehabilitation
Elmira Correctional Facility offers a variety of programs and services for incarcerated individuals to redirect their lives and become productive, law-abiding members of society. These programs range from educational and vocational training to treatment and religious services.
The facility’s vocational training programs include Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing and Heating, and Welding. These courses are designed to provide offenders with the skills and knowledge necessary to secure employment upon release. The Correctional Industries program allows offenders to work in various industries, including furniture manufacturing, printing, and metal fabrication. This program provides offenders with the opportunity to earn a fair wage while also learning valuable job skills.
In addition to vocational courses, Elmira Correctional Facility offers a variety of educational programs. Offenders can earn their General Educational Development (GED) certificate or take college courses leading to an Associate Degree. These programs are designed to improve offenders’ literacy skills and provide them with the education necessary to secure employment upon release.
The facility also offers substance abuse treatment programs for offenders struggling with alcohol and drug addiction. The Mental Health Unit provides treatment and counseling for offenders with mental health issues. The facility’s Ethics and Religion program provides offenders with the opportunity to participate in religious services and ethical discussions.
Elmira Correctional Facility also offers extracurricular activities, including sports and music programs, to promote physical and emotional well-being. The facility’s Prisoner Rehabilitation program provides offenders with the opportunity to participate in a variety of programs aimed at promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.
Overall, Elmira Correctional Facility offers a comprehensive set of programs and services designed to promote offender rehabilitation and reduce recidivism. These programs provide offenders with the skills and knowledge necessary to become productive members of society upon release.
Notable Inmates
Elmira Correctional Facility has housed a number of high-profile inmates throughout its history. Some of the most notable inmates include:
- Timothy Vail: Vail was a former New York State Trooper who was convicted in 1995 of murdering his wife and a state police investigator. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
- Timothy Morgan: Morgan was a former police officer who was convicted in 2009 of sexually assaulting two women while on duty. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
- Trevell Gerald Coleman: Coleman, also known as G-Dep, is a rapper who was convicted in 2011 of murder. He confessed to the 1993 shooting of a man during a robbery and was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.
- Dwight York: York is the leader of the Nuwaubian cult, which was based in Georgia. He was convicted in 2004 of multiple counts of child molestation and racketeering and was sentenced to 135 years in prison.
- Harvey Weinstein: Weinstein is a former film producer who was convicted in 2020 of rape and sexual assault. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison.
While these inmates may be some of the most well-known, Elmira Correctional Facility has housed many others who have committed serious crimes and have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms. The facility has a reputation for being one of the toughest in the state, with strict rules and regulations that inmates must follow. Despite this, there have been instances of violence and unrest at the facility, including riots and assaults on staff members.