Oswego County NY Correctional Facility

You can support your loved ones at Oswego Co Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 315-349-3300.

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 Oswego Co Jail is a detention center located at 39 Churchill Rd Oswego, NY which is operated locally by the Oswego 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. Oswego County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Oswego 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.

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.

Inmates at the Public Safety Center are housed in designated areas known as "pods," which vary in security level from minimum to maximum, based on the inmate's behavior. The facility maintains strict separation by gender, ensuring that male and female inmates are assigned to separate pods. Each pod features three security levels with progressively better accommodations. Individual cells are equipped with a metal bed, sink, small desk, and toilet. Some cells open into smaller "sub-day areas" with tables and seats, which then connect to a larger communal "day area" that includes tables, chairs, and telephones.

Access to these areas is determined by an inmate's behavior, with electronic locks regulating entry. Inmates exhibiting positive behavior may be granted access to sub-day and day areas, while those with poor behavior are restricted to their cells. The facility’s design allows for constant visibility through security glass walls, enabling inmates to see others in different areas. This visibility reinforces the consequences of behavior, as inmates in more confined spaces serve as a reminder of the repercussions of poor conduct, while those in less restrictive areas exemplify the rewards of positive behavior.

This direct supervision model emphasizes personal responsibility, providing inmates with incentives to maintain good behavior. The approach encourages inmates to develop the discipline necessary for reintegration into society, contrasting with traditional jail designs that offered little motivation for behavioral improvement.

The Inmate Services Unit plays a crucial role in implementing, coordinating, and monitoring various facility programs, utilizing both in-house resources and community partnerships to support inmates in fostering positive change. These efforts aim to enhance self-awareness, improve morale, stimulate intellectual growth, uphold dignity, and reduce recidivism. Upon admission, Inmate Services Unit Staff conduct intake interviews, gathering information on personal and family background, criminal history, substance use, and medical and mental health concerns to develop tailored strategies for inmate interaction and program recommendations.

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.

The facility offers specialized support through a Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor who conducts assessments, facilitates community treatment program referrals, and coordinates self-help meetings, including the Intensive Corrections Addictions Residential Education Program. Additionally, facility clergy provide weekly religious services, visit housing units, offer individual consultations, and work with inmates' families and significant others to support their reintegration journey.

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.

Additionally, the facility incorporates cost-effective measures, such as using porcelain fixtures in cells for well-behaved inmates, which are less expensive to purchase and maintain than the stainless steel fixtures found in higher-security cells. The Public Safety Center also offers various programs, including educational classes, a library, and recreational areas, all in line with state mandates and national standards governing jail accreditation.

For corrections officers, life in a direct supervision jail differs significantly. Rather than patrolling rows of barred cells, officers interact directly with inmates, often without physical barriers. This direct engagement fosters a more dynamic environment, promoting safety, accountability, and behavioral improvement among the inmate population.