When mailing a letter or postcard to an inmate, please address your mail as follows:
Inmate's First and Last Name
Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center
15-15 Hazen Street
East Elmhurt, NY 11370
....
Important: Use the third-party mail service address directly below for personal mail, IF IT IS DIFFERENT than the above address:
Inmate Name, Inmate ID#
Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center
15-15 Hazen Street
East Elmhurt, NY 11370
Inmates have their mail delivered Monday thru Friday. There is no limit on how much mail they can receive. Inmates are allowed to send mail to friends and family, but NOT to co-defendants, other inmates in this or other jails or prisons, and NOT from people they have a 'no contact' order in place from.
The Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center has a zero-tolerance policy regarding mail violations.
Follow these instructions exactly to help ensure that your inmate receives his/her mail and not have it thrown away.
Scroll down for a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers regarding how to send an inmate mail, or call the Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center at 718-546-4520 with your questions.
Inmate Name, Inmate ID#
Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center
15-15 Hazen Street
East Elmhurt, NY 11370
Phone: 718-546-4520
All mail sent to an inmate at the Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center must include the sender's name and mailing address in the top left corner of the envelope or postcard.
Failure to include your return address will most likely result in your mail NOT being delivered and your letter destroyed.
The information below provides complete instructions regarding:
Follow these instructions exactly to help ensure that your inmate receives his/her mail and not have it thrown away.
The Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center has a zero-tolerance policy regarding mail violations.
Postcards
The Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature.
Envelopes
The Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center also allows inmates to receive letters in envelopes as long as they aren’t altered by things such as perfume or lipstick.
Click here to look up the inmate’s Booking and Casing number. Once the link opens, click on inmate look-up. Input the inmate’s first and last name and locate the Booking and Casing number.
Address the envelope or postcard like this:
Inmate Name, Inmate ID#
Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center
15-15 Hazen Street
East Elmhurt, NY 11370
You must also place your full name and address in the left-hand top corner of the envelope or postcard.
Incoming mail without a return name and address may be rejected by jail staff.
There is no limit to the number of pages you send as long as the weight does not exceed 15 pounds, which would be almost impossible with a handwritten letter.
Newspapers & Magazines
Detainees in Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center may receive one cubic foot (12 inches X 12 inches X 12 inches) of non-legal printed materials, including soft and hardcover books, magazines, newspapers, periodicals, pamphlets, advertisements and other printed articles, in any combination.
News, special interest or sports magazines may be mailed directly from the publisher or from a private person. Magazines do not have to be new.
The label should be addressed in the same way you address the letters – with first name, last name and booking number.
Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.
Mail subscriptions to:
Inmate Name, Inmate ID#
Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center
15-15 Hazen Street
East Elmhurt, NY 11370
Books
Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center will also allow the inmate to receive books by mail. They can be sent directly from a vendor such as Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com or you can send them yourself. They do not have to be new.
While there isn’t a rule against hardcover books, the jail staff has discretion in whether to allow hardcovers, therefore, it is best to always send softcover books. Mail them to the same address you mail letters and be sure to put the inmate’s booking number on the label.
It is a good idea to also write the inmate’s first and last name and booking number in the inside flap of each book if they are being sent from home.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center standards will be disposed of.
Clothing
You are allowed to mail clothing to an inmate but cannot mail clothing that is camouflage, blue, red or yellow in color.
Jail staff strongly recommends you send brown, grey or white clothing. You cannot send shoes or slippers. They must be purchased from commissary.
Shoes are only allowed for courtroom appearances or other outside needs such as the funeral of a family member, etc.
Inmates are not allowed to wear button-down white shirts.
The box cannot weigh more than 15 pounds and must be less than 12 inches high, 24 inches deep and 24 inches wide.
Packages
Packages cannot exceed fifteen pounds (15 lbs.) and shall be less than twenty-four inches (24") wide, twelve inches (12") high, and twenty-four inches (24") deep.
All items brought or shipped to the Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center will be thoroughly searched for contraband. Anyone bringing contraband into the facilities will be arrested and prosecuted.
The following is a list of the ONLY items that may be brought in for an inmate or sent by mail. Permissible items delivered to the facility must be mailed or brought in an open paper shopping bag, labeled with the name and address of the sender and the name and facility address of the inmate.
Inmates are allowed to have the following clothing items in their possession:
Personal Items
*Items marked with an asterisk (*) are not allowed for any sentenced inmate unless he/she is scheduled for court or is going to attend a significant family event.
** Detainees are not permitted to wear personal footwear, except for scheduled on-trial court appearances or significant family events. Upon admission, all detainees are issued one pair of Department issued footwear. All detainees are allowed to have one (1) pair of personal footwear in their property, which will only be re-issued for scheduled on-trial court appearances or significant family events.
Stationery Supplies
Detainees may NOT possess or receive photographs that include pictures of themselves. Polaroid photographs are prohibited.
Jewelry
Although it is recommended that Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center inmates receive or possess jewelry, detainees may receive the following items of jewelry:
What is my inmate’s mailing address?
How do I mail a letter to an inmate in the Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center?
How do I address a letter to an inmate?
If a letter is withheld from being delivered to an inmate, will they be notified?
What can I send to an inmate by mail?
Can I send pictures to an inmate?
How often can I send letters or cards to an inmate?
How often can an inmate mail letters?
What is considered ‘contraband’ in an inmate’s mail?
Can I send printouts from my computer to an inmate?
Can I send an inmate a package?
If I send something to an inmate that is not allowed, can the inmate or I get in trouble?
Can I send an inmate postage stamps?
How can an inmate get stamps while in jail or prison?
What happens if I send the inmate drugs, a weapon or anything illegal, will I get in trouble?
What are some other important mail tips to avoid problems?
By law, every inmate is entitled to receive mail delivered through the United State Postal Service. While for years, this mail was always delivered in the form of a letter or a postcard from friends and loved ones directly to the inmate, the definition of inmate mail has changed a bit.
Inmate mail can be:
• A letter in an envelope,
• A postcard,
• A greeting card, or
• A digital letter
Because of security and contraband concerns, mainly the paper and envelope that a letter is written on or enclosed in, being soaked in a liquid form of drugs, many jails are increasingly limiting the type of mail inmates can get.
Some still allow regular mail in an envelope with a stamp, but many now have the letter sent to a third-party that opens the letter, scans it and the envelope into a computer, emails the letter to the jail where they print it out, giving the photocopies to the inmate, or they send it to a computer kiosk or tablet digitally that the inmate can access.
Others only allow postcards, specifically the white, pre-stamped postcards that you can purchase from the post office.
When greeting cards are allowed, they can’t be cards with glitter, music or other do-dads. They can only be plain paper cards.
Some jails, in fact most, require that mail be written or typed with only black or blue ink. Some allow black pencils to be used.
None allow crayons, markers, lipstick prints, etc.
All require white envelopes, white paper or lined paper such as from a pad. Very few allow paper that is card stock. It must be plain white, 20-lb. printer paper.
To see the inmate mail policies for Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center check out the inmate mail details above or call the jail at 718-546-4520 for specific information.
There are five different types of addresses for every jail:
1. The physical address of the jail.
2. The mailing address for an inmate’s personal mail.
3. The mailing address for the inmate’s legal mail.
4. The mailing address for the jail’s administrative staff.
5. The mailing address for sending money to the inmate’s trust or commissary fund. (visit the Inmate Money page for this information)
In general, the only three addresses that friends and family of inmates need to be concerned about are:
• The inmate address for personal mail.
• The address for sending money orders to the inmate’s commissary account.
Visit the Inmate Money page for this information.
• The physical address of the jail.
Because this section is about mailing an inmate, the address for mailing an inmate is:
Inmate Name, Inmate ID#
Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center
15-15 Hazen Street
East Elmhurt, NY 11370
or
Inmate's Full Name
Inmate ID#
Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center
15-15 Hazen Street
East Elmhurt, NY 11370
If a red address is visible above, then use that address, as that is the new address the jail is using for an inmate's personal mail to combat contraband entering the facility.
To mail a letter to an inmate in the Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center, first completely read all the mail policies and guidelines that are on this page. Also read any updated mail guidelines that are on the official page for the facility. If you still have questions, then call the jail at 718-546-4520 and ask specifics.
It is important to understand that if even one thing is done incorrectly when sending a letter to the jail, even if everything else is done correctly, then your letter will not be delivered to the inmate. In fact, even though the jail claims they will mail your letter back to you so that you will know it was not delivered, there is always the chance it will be disposed of.
Don't be the loved one sitting at home, wondering why your inmate is not responding to your letter, when in fact they may not have even received it.
All mail to the inmate must be addressed as follows:
A full return address, which includes your full name and full address. Without this the mail will not be delivered to the inmate.
A complete address to the inmate, including:
Full Name (name that they were booked under)
Inmate ID# (booking #, SO #, etc.)
Inmate’s Housing location (if you know it)
Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center
Mailing Address
City, State, Zip code
Inmate Name, Inmate ID#
Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center
15-15 Hazen Street
East Elmhurt, NY 11370
A letter that is not addressed completely may not get delivered. Keep in mind that often there is more than one inmate in a jail with the same name. You certainly don’t want the wrong inmate getting your private mail, do you?
Sometimes. There are some jails that will deliver you a notification that a letter which was intended for you was returned because it was either improperly addressed, did not have return address, contained contraband of some sort, had things written in it that were against mail and jail policies, or were sent by someone you were not allowed contact with such as co-defendant or someone the court had forbidden contact with such as a spouse in a domestic violence case.
Most of the time though, the letter is either returned or destroyed, and if there are illegal substances in the letter, it will be turned over to the New York County Sheriff or District Attorney for possible criminal investigation and/or indictment.
Generally nothing but a letter, printouts from a computer printer or photographs (not polaroid) can be sent to an inmate in the mail. If there is anything else enclosed, the entire letter and the contents will be returned to you or destroyed.
There are a few exceptions to this, such as several county jails in New York, including the infamous Riker’s Island. Riker’s allows all kinds of things to be mailed to an inmate, including a box of items every month.
Every jail has their own policy regarding allowing inmates to receive photographs in the mail, if at all. For Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center’s policy, review the information on this page.
In general, most jails allow an inmate to have anywhere from four to six photographs in their possession at any one time. These cannot be polaroids, and the photos cannot be construed as even mildly sexual (such as a woman or child in a bathing suit), gang related, drug related or violent.
Some jails allow only photocopied photos.
Some jails only allow photos that are sent digitally and must remain digital.
There are only a few jails that do not allow any photos of any kind.
If you are still uncertain as the policy regarding photographs at the Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center, call them at 718-546-4520.
Most jails allow newspapers, magazines and books to be sent to an inmate, as long as they come directly from the publisher, such as directly from the newspaper or magazine themselves, or from the specific book publisher or trusted mail order source such as Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
There is often a limit of the quantity of books and magazines an inmate can either receive at one time, receive each month, or have in their possession at any one time.
Hardcover books, or books with wire spiral binders are never allowed.
Any publications that portray or discuss violence, sex, gang activity, drugs, jail escapes or anything else against jail policies are not allowed and will be returned.
The 'book and periodical' policy of the Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center are detailed on this page. However, if it is not, then call the jail at 718-546-4520 and ask.
Keep in mind that the address the publications should be mailed to is not always the mailing address of where the inmate gets their regular mail, the mail that is scanned and forwarded digitally to them.
The mailing address for publications is:
Inmate Name, Inmate ID#
Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center
15-15 Hazen Street
East Elmhurt, NY 11370
or
Inmate's Full Name
Inmate ID#
Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center
15-15 Hazen Street
East Elmhurt, NY 11370
NOTE: Use the address in red if it is visible to you.
Exception: There are a few New York jails that allow publications to be sent directly to them as opposed to having it sent through the publisher. One of the most notable exceptions is Riker’s Island in New York City.
There is no limit to how often you can send letters or cards to an inmate. You are only limited to the types of letters and cards that you can send, considering Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center’s policies, which are outlined on this page.
An inmate in the Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center can mail letters as often as they like. There is no limit to the number of letters that an inmate can write and send. They are only limited by the number of stamps they can afford to purchase through commissary, and the amount of commissary 'spend' that the Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center allows.
Contraband is defined as anything that the jail does not allow to be mailed to an inmate, which is just about everything. The list would fill ten sets of encyclopedias.
It easier to say what is allowed to be sent through the mail:
• When allowed, a certain number of photographs.
• When allowed, newspapers, magazines and books, if they are sent from a publisher.
• When allowed, a care package of snacks, hygiene products or clothing from a commissary company that has contracted with the jail.
Some jails allow printouts of photographs and information to be sent to an inmate through the mail. Refer to the mail policy on this page or by calling the jail directly at 718-546-4520.
Many jails contract with companies that send food, hygiene products and/or clothing to inmates. These can be purchased and sent by friends and family on a weekly or monthly basis.
You can only send items from the one that your jail has a contract with.
Check out the Money Page or the Commissary Page for further information, or call the jail at 718-546-4520 to see which one that the Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center works with.
Here are all of the commissary package companies, in alphabetical order, who provide this service to jails in the United States:
Access Securepak
Care A Cell
Commissary order
Correct Pay
Express Account
icare
Inmate Canteen
Jail ATM
Jail Pack Store (McDaniel Supply)
My Care Pack
Oasis (jailcanteen)
Prodigy Solutions
Tiger
Union Supply Direct
The only gifts you can send an inmate must come from one of the stores above, and the Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center must contract with them.
If the item that you send an inmate is illegal, then you and/or your inmate can get in trouble, otherwise if it is not illegal, it will just be destroyed or in some cases, returned to you.
Note that if you continue to send items that are considered contraband, some of your communication privileges with your inmate, such as visitation or phone calls, may be suspended.
No, you cannot send postage stamps. Stamps must be purchased by the inmate through commissary. You can send them the money for stamps, but not the stamps.
Stamps can be purchased in the jail commissary by the inmate.
Yes. If an inmate is indigent, the jail will provide them 2-3 stamps, and an equal amount of envelopes and stationery, each week.
Yes. If you send the inmate drugs, a weapon or anything illegal, it will be turned over to the New York County Sheriff or District Attorney and it is most likely that you will be prosecuted.
More jails are now offering email services, making it easier for inmates and their families to stay in touch. You can view and send emails from your smartphone, computer, or tablet at any time.
This means no more dealing with envelopes, stamps, or the post office.
Inmates appreciate it because emails typically arrive much faster than regular mail, allowing them to respond quickly.
Jail staff find it beneficial as it limits the risk of contraband entering through physical mail and keeps an electronic record of communications.
Emails are filtered to detect any language related to criminal or gang activities.
In some cases, emails between inmates and family members have been used in court to bring new charges or secure convictions.
Call 718-546-4520 or click here to check if email services are offered at this jail and how to register.
Inmate Name, Inmate ID#
Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center
15-15 Hazen Street
East Elmhurt, NY 11370
All mail sent to an inmate at the Rikers Island - George Motchan Detention Center must include the senders name and mailing address in the top left corner of the envelope or postcard.
Failure to include your return address will most likely result in your mail NOT being delivered and discarded.
There is no limit to the number of pages you can send in a letter.
You are also allowed to send greeting cards including those that have glitter decorations or play music.
Examples of prohibited items include:
Photos should not exceed 4 inches high x 6 inches wide.
While there isn’t a limit on the number of photos you can send, jail staff recommends you not send more than 5-7 at a time.
Polaroid Photos are prohibited.
Inmates are not permitted to receive any photo that includes himself or herself. For example, if you are sending photos of the family reunion, do not send any that include the inmate in the picture.
Photos of weapons are prohibited.
Photos of drugs, the consuming of drugs or alcohol is prohibited.
Photos of lewd behavior or people exhibiting too much skin is prohibited.
Call 718-546-4520 or check the most recent policies regarding inmate photos on the jail's website by going here.
