Groveland Correctional Facility: Behind Bars in New York

Groveland Correctional Facility is a medium-security prison located in Livingston County, New York. It is one of the many facilities operated by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. The facility has a capacity of 996 inmates and houses male offenders.

The prison offers a variety of programs aimed at rehabilitating inmates and preparing them for their eventual release. One such program is the Canine Training Program, where dogs from local shelters are placed within the prison for approximately 8 weeks of 24/7 obedience training and socialization provided by the trained incarcerated individual. The program has been highly successful and has received positive feedback from both the inmates and the community.

Visitors are allowed at the facility during specific hours, and the visitation schedule is organized based on the last digit of the incarcerated individual’s DIN (Department Identification Number).

SecurityMedium
Capacity996
Physical Address7000 Sonyea Road
Sonyea, NY 14556-0050
Mailing AddressP.O. Box 50
Sonyea, NY 14556-0050
Can You Send Gifts?No
Visitation HoursWeekends and Holidays: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Dress CodeYes
Phone Number(585) 658-2871
JurisdictionState

History

Groveland Correctional Facility is a medium security level correctional facility for male felons. It opened in 1982 and is located in Livingston County, New York. The facility is operated by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

Over the years, Groveland Correctional Facility has undergone several changes and renovations to improve the living conditions and security of the inmates. In 1998, a new housing unit was constructed to accommodate 192 inmates. The unit was designed to provide a more humane living environment for the inmates and to improve staff safety.

In 2010, the facility implemented a new program called the “Thinking for a Change” program. The program is designed to help inmates develop cognitive and problem-solving skills to reduce their risk of reoffending. The program has been successful in reducing recidivism rates among inmates who have completed the program.

In recent years, Groveland Correctional Facility has faced criticism for its use of solitary confinement. In 2014, the facility was sued by the New York Civil Liberties Union for its use of solitary confinement, which they claimed was inhumane and unconstitutional. The lawsuit was settled in 2015, with the facility agreeing to limit the use of solitary confinement and to provide better mental health services to inmates.

Despite these challenges, Groveland Correctional Facility continues to provide necessary services to the inmates in its care.

Location

Groveland Correctional Facility is located in Sonyea, New York, in Livingston County. The facility is situated at 7000 Sonyea Road, which is about 54 miles south of Rochester in Monroe County. The prison is also located about 60 miles west of Wayne County.

The facility is easily accessible by car, and visitors can use Sonyea Road to get to the prison. The prison is located in a rural area, surrounded by fields and forests. The area is peaceful and quiet, providing a calm environment for incarcerated individuals.

The location of Groveland Correctional Facility is ideal for the Canine Training Program, which is offered at the facility. The program allows incarcerated individuals to train shelter dogs in obedience skills such as how to heel, sit, and stay. The shelter dogs are placed within the prison for approximately 8 weeks of 24/7 obedience training and socialization provided by the trained incarcerated individual.

Visitors who wish to visit their loved ones at the facility can also take advantage of the location. The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision encourages visits by family and friends, which can be a positive influence during the time a person spends in prison and after their release. The department provides visiting hours from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with the latest arrival time being 2:15 p.m.

In conclusion, the location of Groveland Correctional Facility provides a peaceful and calm environment for incarcerated individuals. The facility is easily accessible by car, and visitors can take advantage of the visiting hours to visit their loved ones. The Canine Training Program is also a great addition to the facility, taking advantage of the rural location to provide a calm environment for the shelter dogs.

Facility Description

Groveland Correctional Facility is a medium-security state prison located in the village of Sonyea in Livingston County, New York. The facility was established in the 1930s and has a rich history dating back to the 1830s when the Shakers occupied the land. The facility is surrounded by miles of woodland and farmland, providing a tranquil environment for both staff and inmates.

The prison has a capacity of approximately 990 inmates and is divided into two main sections: Upper and Lower. The Upper section contains the prison hospital, food service, school, and chapel, while the Lower section contains the majority of the housing units.

The facility’s perimeter is surrounded by a double fence with a sally port for secure access. The fence is equipped with electronic sensors and cameras to monitor the perimeter and detect any unauthorized access.

The housing units at Groveland Correctional Facility are divided into four cell blocks, each with a capacity of approximately 200 inmates. The cells are designed to hold two inmates each and are equipped with a bed, desk, and toilet.

In addition to the housing units, the facility also has a school and a chapel. The school provides educational opportunities to inmates, including high school equivalency classes and vocational training. The chapel offers religious services to inmates of different faiths.

The prison’s food service is responsible for providing meals to inmates. The meals are prepared on-site and are designed to meet the nutritional needs of the inmates. The facility also has a prison store where inmates can purchase snacks, toiletries, and other personal items.

Overall, Groveland Correctional Facility is a well-maintained medium-security prison that provides a safe and secure environment for both staff and inmates.

Inmate Information

Groveland Correctional Facility is a medium security correctional facility for male felons with a capacity of 996 incarcerated individuals. The facility has an inmate search tool available on the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision website. To find an inmate’s name and ID number, simply enter their first and last name or their DIN.

Inmate case files describe in great detail the family and social background, arrest, confinement, and release/parole of incarcerated men. The New York State Archives has an index to the Groveland Correctional Facility inmate case files from 1976 to 2002, which can provide valuable information for those researching the history of the facility or the criminal justice system in New York State.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons also has an inmate locator tool available on its website for federal inmates incarcerated from 1982 to the present. However, Groveland Correctional Facility is a state-run facility and is not included in this database.

Prisoners at Groveland Correctional Facility are assigned a DIN upon admission, which is used to identify them throughout their incarceration. The facility has a strict visitation schedule, with incarcerated individuals with DINs ending in odd numbers allowed visitors on odd calendar days, and those with DINs ending in even numbers allowed visitors on even calendar days.

Overall, the inmate information available for Groveland Correctional Facility is comprehensive and easily accessible through various online resources.

Visitation Information

Groveland Correctional Facility encourages visits by family and friends, as research shows that regular visits can have a positive influence on incarcerated individuals during their time in prison and after their release. The facility has established specific visiting hours, days, and procedures that visitors must follow to ensure the safety and security of all individuals involved.

Visiting Hours and Days

Visiting hours at Groveland Correctional Facility are from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and visitors must arrive by 2:15 p.m. at the latest. Visiting days are on weekends and holidays. Visitors must check the visitation schedule to determine which day they can visit an inmate. The schedule is divided into specific segments of the population by the last digit of the incarcerated individual’s DIN number.

Visitation Schedule

The visitation schedule at Groveland Correctional Facility is updated annually. Visitors should check the most recent schedule to confirm the visiting days for the incarcerated individual they plan to visit. Individuals with a DIN number ending with an odd number will be allowed visitors on odd calendar days, while those with a DIN number ending with an even number will be allowed visitors on even calendar days. Visitors must have a valid government-issued photo ID to visit an inmate.

Procedures and Dress Code

Visitors must follow specific procedures and dress codes to ensure the safety and security of the facility. Visitors must pass through a metal detector and may be subject to a pat-down search. Visitors are not allowed to bring any items into the visitation area, except for a valid ID and a small amount of cash for the vending machines. Visitors must wear appropriate clothing, including shoes and undergarments, and must not wear revealing or provocative clothing.

In summary, Groveland Correctional Facility has established specific visiting hours, days, and procedures that visitors must follow to ensure the safety and security of all individuals involved. Visitors should check the visitation schedule to determine which day they can visit an inmate and must follow the dress code and bring only a valid ID and a small amount of cash for the vending machines.

Communication

Communication with incarcerated individuals at Groveland Correctional Facility is possible through various channels, including mail, phone calls, and secure messaging.

Mail

Sending mail to an incarcerated individual at Groveland Correctional Facility requires adherence to specific guidelines. The mailing address for the facility is:

Groveland Correctional Facility
P.O. Box 50
Sonyea, NY 14556-0050

All mail must include the incarcerated individual’s full name and DIN number. The facility prohibits sending cash, personal checks, or money orders. However, money orders should be made payable to the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision and should include the incarcerated individual’s DIN number.

Phone

Incarcerated individuals at Groveland Correctional Facility have access to phones in their housing units. Calls are limited to 15 minutes each and are subject to monitoring and recording. Friends and family members can set up a prepaid phone account to receive calls from an incarcerated individual. The phone number for the facility is (585) 658-2871.

Secure Messaging

The Secure Messaging Program at Groveland Correctional Facility allows incarcerated individuals to communicate with their loved ones through a secure online platform. Friends and family members can send messages, photos, and e-cards to an incarcerated individual through the JPay website. The incarcerated individual can then respond to the message at their convenience. To use the Secure Messaging Program, friends and family members must create a JPay account.

Contact Information

For more information about communication with incarcerated individuals at Groveland Correctional Facility, refer to the facility’s official website at doccs.ny.gov/location/groveland-correctional-facility. The website provides information on visitation schedules, mail guidelines, and phone account setup.

Services and Programs

Groveland Correctional Facility offers a variety of services and programs to help inmates transition back into society. These programs include Transitional Services Programs, Veterans Services, and Volunteer Services and Programs.

The Transitional Services Programs at Groveland Correctional Facility are designed to help inmates prepare for their release and reentry into society. These programs include vocational training, educational programs, and counseling services. By providing these services, Groveland Correctional Facility aims to reduce recidivism rates and help inmates successfully reintegrate into their communities.

The Veterans Services at Groveland Correctional Facility are designed to provide support and assistance to incarcerated veterans. These services include counseling, educational programs, and job training. By providing these services, Groveland Correctional Facility aims to help incarcerated veterans successfully reintegrate into their communities and reduce recidivism rates.

Volunteer Services and Programs at Groveland Correctional Facility allow volunteers to work with inmates and provide them with support and guidance. These programs include religious services, mentoring programs, and educational programs. By providing these services, Groveland Correctional Facility aims to reduce recidivism rates and provide inmates with the support they need to successfully reintegrate into their communities.

In addition to these programs, Groveland Correctional Facility also offers a commissary where inmates can purchase a variety of items, including food, clothing, and personal hygiene products. This allows inmates to have access to items that they may not otherwise be able to obtain.

Overall, Groveland Correctional Facility provides a variety of services and programs to help inmates successfully reintegrate into society. By providing these services, Groveland Correctional Facility aims to reduce recidivism rates and help inmates successfully transition back into their communities.

Sending Money

Sending money to an incarcerated loved one can be a complicated process, but it is an essential part of supporting them during their time in prison. Groveland Correctional Facility offers several options for sending money to an inmate’s account.

Visitors can leave cash, money orders, and checks in the conventional visitor deposit lock box located at the facility. Money orders and checks require the use of a facility-provided JPay deposit slip and will be sent by DOCCS directly to JPay for processing. Cash deposits are processed by DOCCS facility staff. It is important to note that all funds must be in the form of a money order or check, and cash is not accepted.

In addition to cash, money orders, and checks, family and friends can also deposit funds into an inmate’s account electronically. GTL Financial Services is the provider of this service for the State of Michigan. Deposit forms are available at each correctional facility and online. Any questions regarding the processing of money orders should be directed to GTL at 877-650-4249. GTL will accept deposits to a prisoner’s account electronically at www.ConnectNetwork.com or via phone at 888-988-4768.

It is important to note that funds sent to an inmate’s account are subject to certain restrictions. For example, funds cannot be used to purchase items from the commissary until after the inmate has been at the facility for at least 30 days. Additionally, funds cannot be used to pay off any outstanding debts or fines owed by the inmate.

In summary, there are several options available for sending money to an inmate’s account at Groveland Correctional Facility. Visitors can leave cash, money orders, and checks in the conventional visitor deposit lock box located at the facility, while family and friends can deposit funds electronically through GTL Financial Services. It is important to note that funds are subject to certain restrictions and cannot be used to purchase items from the commissary until after the inmate has been at the facility for at least 30 days.

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