Monroe County NY Jail

You can support your loved ones at Monroe Co Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 585-753-4300.

When someone you care about gets locked up, it's tough to figure out all the ins and outs of jail life. From sending mail to visiting, there are a lot of things to sort out. And getting info about the arrest? Not always easy. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get a handle on how things work here so that you can stay connected and support your loved one behind bars.

The Monroe Co Jail is a detention center located at 130 Plymouth Ave S Rochester, NY which is operated locally by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Monroe County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Rochester Police Department, and the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees arrive at the jail regularly, with some being released on bail, placed under pretrial services caseloads, supervised by probation agencies, or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who are not released await their court appearances at the jail, receiving accommodations including bedding and meals.

You can see all the arrest records for New York here.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Jail Bureau operates a 1,217-bed facility that houses both pre-trial and sentenced individuals. The staff at the jail are dedicated to maintaining a safe and secure environment for everyone within the facility, supported by various community partners who facilitate programming and re-entry services for incarcerated individuals. It is estimated that over sixty-five percent of the incarcerated population suffers from severe alcohol or other drug problems. To address this, the Monroe County Jail has been running a progressive and widely recognized Chemical Dependency Program since 1994.

This program offers intensive educational services designed to help individuals understand the link between their substance use and behavior. The program is facilitated by highly qualified, credentialed counselors who guide participants through examining their attitudes, addictions, criminal behaviors, mental health issues, unresolved grief, and trauma. Available to both sentenced and unsentenced individuals, the Chemical Dependency Program is voluntary, with participants encouraged to join and actively engage in the program.

The MCSO Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Program offers a comprehensive treatment option comparable to private institutions, emphasizing robust treatment within the participant's community. This approach facilitates family involvement, connection with ongoing support services, and a detailed discharge and re-entry plan that ensures continuity of care. Participants engage in daily group and individual sessions, with assignments tailored to their needs. Each participant receives a comprehensive evaluation covering their substance use history, legal connections, mental health episodes, past treatments, family support, vocational skills, past and present MAT attempts, relapse history, abstinence duration, and behavioral issues. A personalized program plan is then developed, aligning with the participant's re-entry plan and addressing every potential liability with focused solutions at discharge, such as secured housing, MAT bridging, employment placement, family reunification, and provision of essential documentation.

Individuals who do not post bail within the first twenty-four hours are required to appear before a judge. During this first appearance, conducted either in person or via telephone, the judge informs the arrested person of the charges against them and sets the bond amount.

Following the intake process, which includes property inventory, medical screening, and booking, inmates are assigned to the general population. Housing assignments are based on the classification of their charges, whether felony or misdemeanor, to ensure proper management and safety within the facility.

After processing, inmates are assigned to a housing area based on classification. Compliance with jail rules typically results in a lower classification and more privileges, while rule violations or additional charges lead to a higher classification and fewer privileges. Inmates serving as trustees within the jail undertake various tasks, including cooking, laundry, and commissary management, often receiving minimal compensation or sentence reduction for their services.

The jail is designed with "pods," featuring a large common area with affixed tables and attached seats, and individual cells typically on two levels. Inmates spend certain times in their cells and other times congregating in the pod for activities like playing cards, games, reading, or watching television. Movement outside the pod, such as trips to the commissary, library, or recreation area, occurs under the constant supervision of unarmed correctional officers. The environment in the county jail is considered less stressful than that of a prison because the sentences are much shorter.

The jail offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

Inmate workers are chosen based on conduct and cooperation with staff. Participation in the community service program can sometimes reduce sentences. Commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. On holidays, there may be increased spending limits. Upon receiving commissary items, inmates must present their ID, check their order, and sign for it in the presence of the commissary employee. Indigent inmates are provided with all essential basic hygiene items including USPS stamps and writing materials.

In 2005, the Vocational Assessment Program was upgraded to significantly enhance employment-related offerings for incarcerated individuals. This program includes classes, workshops, and meetings focused on resume writing, job preparation, and retention skills. Feedback from participants has been consistently positive, indicating improved job awareness and interviewing skills. Several community employers are interested in partnering with the jail to provide post-release employment opportunities, further supporting the successful reintegration of incarcerated individuals into the workforce.