NYSDOC - Great Meadow Correctional Facility

You can support your loved ones at GMCF on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 518-639-5516.

Located at 11739 State Route 22 in Comstock, NY, GMCF carefully assigns inmates based on their custody level, considering factors like criminal history. GMCF offers diverse educational and vocational programs aimed at equipping offenders for successful reintegration into society and reducing recidivism. Through these initiatives, inmates gain skills and confidence, fostering personal growth and resilience.

When someone you care about ends up in a state prison, it can be tough to navigate the ins and outs of the system. From figuring out how to stay in touch to understanding what you can do to make their time easier, it can feel overwhelming. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get the lowdown on NYSDOC - Great Meadow Correctional Facility so you can stay connected and support your loved one during their time inside.

Communication is important, the prison 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. 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.

While incarcerated, reading is often the best use of time. Please note that books and magazines, puzzles, and word searches 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. Prisons and jails enforce 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.

GMCF is a maximum-security prison situated in Comstock, near Fort Ann, in Washington County, accommodating approximately 1,800 inmates daily. Established in 1911, it initially housed primarily first-time offenders, operating without a perimeter wall for many years. However, as the inmate population expanded, Great Meadow began receiving repeat offenders from other New York prisons like Sing Sing and Clinton. In response to this growth, construction of a 3,000-foot wall commenced in 1924, enclosing over twenty-one acres, thereby transforming Great Meadow into a maximum-security facility.

GMCF offers inmates opportunities to engage in the Correctional Industries program, involving work in metal furniture manufacturing and the production of cleaning and personal care products. Educational requirements include possession of a GED equivalent for enrollment in degree programs, with adult basic education courses available for those in need of educational advancement.

Vocational classes at the facility encompass a range of disciplines, including computers, building and custodial maintenance, culinary arts, flooring, electrical work, masonry, printing, small engine repair, and welding. Inmates can access on-site sex offender treatment and counseling, as well as alcohol and substance abuse treatment services.

Moreover, GMCF houses a dedicated mental health unit to support inmates with mental disorders and a segregation unit for those with safety or security concerns.