Green Haven Correctional Facility: Max Security in New York

Green Haven Correctional Facility is a maximum-security prison located in Stormville, New York. It is one of the largest and most secure prisons in the state and is operated by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. The facility is located on Route 216 in Dutchess County and is surrounded by a high fence with razor wire on top.

Green Haven Correctional Facility was opened in 1949 and has a capacity of over 2,000 prisoners. It is known for its strict security measures and is home to some of the most dangerous criminals in the state. The prison offers a variety of programs and services to help offenders prepare for reentry into society, including education and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services. Visitation is allowed on weekends and holidays, and the schedule rotates based on the first letter of the inmate’s last name.

Green Haven Correctional Facility has been the subject of controversy in the past, with allegations of excessive force by correctional officers and mistreatment of inmates. However, the facility has also been praised for its efforts to provide inmates with opportunities for rehabilitation and successful reentry into society. Overall, Green Haven Correctional Facility plays an important role in the state’s criminal justice system and is a key component of efforts to maintain public safety.

SecurityMaximum
Capacity2,068
Physical Address594 Rt. 216
Stormville, NY 12582-0010
Mailing Address594 Rt. 216
Stormville, NY 12582-0010
Can You Send Gifts?No
Visitation HoursDaily: 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Dress CodeYes
Phone Number(845) 221-2711
JurisdictionState

Facility Overview

Green Haven Correctional Facility is a maximum-security prison for male inmates located in Dutchess County, New York. The facility is operated by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS), and it houses approximately 2,060 inmates.

The facility was opened in 1949 and has since undergone several renovations and expansions. Green Haven Correctional Facility is known for its strict security measures, which include high walls, razor wire fences, and armed guards. The facility also has a number of programs and services designed to help inmates prepare for their eventual release.

Green Haven Correctional Facility is one of the largest maximum-security facilities in the state of New York. It has a staff of over 1,000 employees, including correctional officers, administrative staff, and medical professionals. The facility is divided into several housing units, each of which is designed to accommodate different levels of security.

The prison offers a range of educational and vocational programs for inmates, including adult basic education, high school equivalency programs, and vocational training in fields such as carpentry, welding, and culinary arts. Inmates can also participate in substance abuse treatment programs, anger management programs, and other counseling and support services.

Inmate Services

Green Haven Correctional Facility provides a variety of services to help inmates improve their education, vocational skills, and mental health. These services are designed to help inmates successfully reintegrate into society upon their release.

Education Services

Green Haven Correctional Facility offers a range of educational programs to inmates, including Adult Basic Education (ABE) and a Bachelor’s Degree Program. The ABE program provides instruction in reading, writing, and math, while the Bachelor’s Degree Program allows inmates to earn a degree in fields such as Business Administration, Behavioral Science, and Liberal Arts.

Vocational Training

In addition to education services, Green Haven Correctional Facility also offers vocational training programs to help inmates gain skills that can be used in the workforce. These inmate programs include Barbering, Building Maintenance, Electrical, Printing, Painting, and Small Engine Repair.

Mental Health Services

Green Haven Correctional Facility provides mental health services to inmates who require them. Mental health services include counseling, therapy, and medication management.

Substance Abuse Treatment

Green Haven Correctional Facility offers a range of substance abuse treatment programs to help inmates overcome addiction. These programs include Alternatives to Violence, Computer Operator, Computer Repair, and Custodial Maintenance. The facility also provides counseling and therapy to help inmates address the underlying causes of addiction.

Overall, Green Haven Correctional Facility is committed to providing inmates with the services they need to successfully reintegrate into society upon their release.

Visitation Information

Green Haven Correctional Facility allows for visitation to incarcerated individuals. It is important to note that all visitors are subject to search and must follow the rules and regulations set forth by the facility.

Visiting Hours

Visiting hours at Green Haven Correctional Facility are from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The latest arrival time for visitors is 1:30 p.m. Visitors should plan accordingly and arrive early to ensure they have enough time for processing and screening.

Visiting Days

Visiting days at Green Haven Correctional Facility are determined by the first letter of the last name of the incarcerated individual. The visitation schedule rotates every week starting on a Friday and ending on a Thursday. Visitors should consult the visitation schedule to determine which day they are allowed to visit.

Non-Legal Visit

Incarcerated individuals in SHU custody are allowed one non-legal visit within a seven-day period during normal visitation hours. Processing for afternoon visiting sessions ends at 3:30 p.m. Visitors should consult the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision website for more information on the rules and regulations for non-legal visits.

It is important to note that holidays are subject to different visitation schedules. Visitors should consult the visitation schedule to determine which days are affected by holidays. Additionally, visitors should be aware that they are subject to dress codes and other rules set forth by the facility. Visitors who do not comply with the rules and regulations may be denied entry to the facility.

Inmate Life

Green Haven Correctional Facility houses maximum security inmates who have been convicted of serious crimes. Inmate life at Green Haven is highly regulated and structured, with little freedom or autonomy. The facility is designed to provide a safe and secure environment for both staff and inmates.

Special Housing Unit

Incarcerated individuals in SHU custody are allowed one non-legal visit within a seven-day period during normal visitation hours. Each week starts on a Friday and ends on a Thursday. Weekend visitation rotates in order to provide equal opportunity for all inmates.

The SHU is a highly restrictive environment, designed to house inmates who have violated prison rules or who are deemed a threat to the safety and security of the facility. Inmates in the SHU are subject to strict confinement and limited privileges. They are allowed one hour of recreation time per day but are otherwise confined to their cells for 23 hours a day.

Incarcerated Individuals

Inmates at Green Haven are subject to a strict daily schedule, which includes meals, work assignments, and recreation time. Inmates are typically assigned to work details within the facility, such as kitchen duty or maintenance. They are also required to attend educational or vocational programs, which are designed to help them develop skills and prepare for re-entry into society.

Incarcerated individuals at Green Haven have access to medical and mental health services, as well as religious programs and counseling. The facility also offers a variety of recreational activities, such as basketball and weightlifting.

Overall, inmate life at Green Haven is highly regulated and structured, with little freedom or autonomy. However, the facility does provide inmates with access to a variety of programs and services, which are designed to help them develop skills and prepare for re-entry into society.

Parole Information

Green Haven Correctional Facility has a parole board that is responsible for determining whether an incarcerated individual is eligible for parole. The board reviews the individual’s case and considers factors such as their criminal history, behavior while incarcerated, and plans for reintegration into society.

The parole board at Green Haven Correctional Facility consists of experienced professionals who are committed to ensuring the safety of the community while also providing opportunities for rehabilitation and successful reentry into society. The board takes its responsibility seriously and carefully considers each case before making a decision.

Individuals who are granted parole are supervised by a parole officer and must follow specific conditions, such as attending counseling or employment programs, staying away from certain individuals or locations, and submitting to drug testing. Failure to follow these conditions can result in a return to prison.

The parole process can be complex and confusing, but the staff at Green Haven Correctional Facility is available to provide guidance and support to incarcerated individuals and their families. They can answer questions about the process and help individuals prepare for their parole hearing.

It is important to note that not all individuals are eligible for parole, and even those who are eligible may not be granted parole. However, the parole board at Green Haven Correctional Facility is committed to ensuring that each case is reviewed fairly and impartially and that the safety of the community is always the top priority.

Notable Events

Green Haven Correctional Facility has had its fair share of notable events over the years. Here are a few:

  • Closure of Beekman Mental Hospital: In 1977, the Beekman Mental Hospital, located on the grounds of Green Haven, was closed. The hospital had been in operation since the early 1900s and had housed some of the most dangerous and violent patients in the state. Its closure was part of a larger movement to deinstitutionalize mental health care in the United States.
  • Holiday Celebrations: Green Haven has a reputation for being one of the most festive prisons in the state when it comes to holiday celebrations. Inmates are allowed to decorate their cells and participate in various activities, including talent shows, gift exchanges, and special meals.
  • Killed Correctional Officer: In 2011, Correctional Officer Jayme Biendl was killed by an inmate at the Monroe Correctional Complex in Washington State. The inmate, Byron Scherf, had been transferred to Monroe from Green Haven, where he had been serving a life sentence for the rape and murder of a young woman.
  • Yale Law School Lawsuit: In 1972, a group of inmates at Green Haven filed a lawsuit with the help of students from Yale Law School. The lawsuit challenged the constitutionality of the prison’s disciplinary procedures and led to significant changes in the way that inmates were treated.

Despite these notable events, Green Haven Correctional Facility is just one of many prisons in the United States that operate largely under the radar. While it may not receive the same level of attention as some of the country’s more infamous prisons, it is still a vital part of the criminal justice system and plays an important role in the lives of the inmates who are housed there.

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