Fishkill Correctional Facility

Fishkill Correctional Facility, located in Beacon, New York, is a prominent multi-security level prison managed by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Originally constructed in 1896, it began as the Matteawan State Hospital for the Criminally Insane. This historical site transitioned to a correctional facility in 1977, marking its transformation into a medium-security prison for male inmates.

With a capacity to house approximately 1,800 inmates, Fishkill Correctional Facility operates under varying security levels, including minimum, medium, and maximum. This versatility allows the facility to accommodate general population inmates, those involved in work release programs, and individuals under disciplinary segregation within the S-Block Special Housing Unit.

Fishkill prides itself on offering a range of educational and vocational programs designed to aid in inmate rehabilitation and skill development. These include Pre-General Equivalency Diploma (Pre-GED), General Equivalency Diploma (GED), English as a Second Language (ESL), and higher education opportunities through partnerships with institutions like the Bard Prison Initiative and Nyack College.

Notably, the prison hosts New York’s only Commercial Arts Program within the corrections system.

A unique initiative at Fishkill is the Puppies Behind Bars program. This program involves inmates raising puppies to become service dogs for the blind, disabled, and veterans. This initiative not only provides valuable skills to the inmates but also contributes to society by supplying highly trained service dogs.

As of September 2024, visitation at Fishkill Correctional Facility is scheduled for:

• Weekends and holidays, with specific hours designated for various units.
• General population visits occur from 8:15 AM to 3:00 PM, with the latest arrival by 2:15 PM.

The institution also features a Regional Medical Unit and provides comprehensive healthcare services for southern New York’s prison population.

For further information about the Fishkill Correctional Facility, including inmate records search and visitation details, individuals can refer to the official website of the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision or utilize online inmate search platforms specific to the state of New York.