Visiting at Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, NY

Updated August 15, 2019

We have made the 4-hour trip to Dannemora's Clinton Correctional Facility several times in the past two years. Dad was originally transferred to Clinton Correctional Facility in July 2017. He was transported from there for a family court hearing a couple months later and ended up spending too long at Auburn--in the SHU--because the court date was postponed. He returned to Clinton in October 2017 and has been quite content to stay put ever since. The atmosphere of Clinton is much more laid back and overall pleasant (as far as prisons go) than other facilities we have visited--both local jails and state prisons. I like to say it is because of the location. Anybody who has a view of the glorious Adirondack High Peaks on a regular basis cannot possibly have their panties in a wad.

Our typical route takes us through Plattsburgh, as we go north on I-87 (the Northway).

Green Mountains of VT seen across Lake Champlain from Plattsburgh, NY

From there, it is about 20 minutes west to Dannemora. As you drive into Dannemora from Plattsburgh, the dichotomy is breathtaking. The sprawling, imposing prison complex is on your right, seemingly endless. To your left is the grandeur of the Adirondack High Peaks. And behind you rise the Green Mountains of Vermont.

Driving into Dannemora from Plattsburgh. The wall of Clinton Main. 

Clinton Correctional Facility has 2 separate units: Main and Annex. The first one on the right is the Annex. If you are going to Clinton Main (the max A security unit), continue past the huge white wall, and turn right at the intersection. We usually go just a little farther to the Stewart's Shop just up the street to use the restroom. There are actually 2 spacious, individual restrooms, which are generally clean--unlike the restrooms in the Hospitality Center. They function, but we prefer the Stewart's!

The next trick is to find a parking spot. Before the intersection, there is a smallish paid parking lot across the street from the prison. For $1.25 in quarters, you can generally find a spot there. You can also find free parking by turning right at the intersection, driving up the hill past the employee parking, and then taking the first left. About a quarter mile down, there is an open lot on the right. You could chance it and park in the drugstore lot across the street or even at the Stewart's, but I don't recommend that. We have risked it and parked in the actual employee parking lot--once. The employees have sticker tags on their windows though, so you might get caught if you take that chance. We witnessed a CO tell a visitor to move their vehicle out of the employee only lot.

The view leaving the free parking area. Straight ahead is the prison complex. 

To the right are the Green Mountains.

Once you have parked, empty your pockets! Put your driver's license in your pocket, grab change for the vending machines, and a padlock for the locker in the Hospitality Center, which is your next stop. You must have your photo ID on your person, and you may bring change in a clear pouch or even ziploc bag. On the counter inside, you will find a clipboard with a numbered sign-in sheet. Take note of the number on the line you are filling in as it will be called when it is your turn for processing. Write your name, how many visitors are in your party, the name of the inmate, and his DIN. (If you don't know the DIN, just ask the CO there. They can look it up. If you are there to visit Dad, his DIN is 17B0498.) You will also need to have your license plate number for the next sheet you fill out. If you brought a package, now is the time to empty the contents on the counter for the COs to catalog and approve/disapprove. Packages can include food items such as cookies (without the peel back packaging) and crackers, tuna packets, jerky, fresh fruits & veggies. The packaging must be hermetically sealed, and dried fruit is not allowed--especially not raisins, and definitely not raisin paste in oatmeal creme pies. If an item contains chocolate, check the ingredients for chocolate liquor, because no alcohol means no alcohol. Also, if you brought money for the inmate's commissary account, you can get an envelope at the counter and fill that out to bring with you into the processing area.

Once any packages have been processed, place any personal belongings in a locker. At Clinton, to secure your items in a locker, you will need to bring your own padlock. Memorize your combination! Or get a keyed padlock. That little key is acceptable to have with you during the visit. Remember, you cannot bring your vehicle keys into the visiting room, especially if they have an electronic fob for locking doors and such. Remember: keep your license on you. As for jewelry - a wedding band is acceptable and only stud earrings are ok. Skip bracelets, as even a hair tie around your wrist is not allowed. No ball caps, but in winter a knit hat is ok. No camouflage on anything you wear. No plunging necklines. Safest choice for footwear is sneakers. Skip heels. Skip sandals. And to skip the "walk of shame" - make sure your bra has zero metal. Wear a sports-style bra. Otherwise, you will have to go into the restroom, remove your bra, pass back through the frisker, and then put your bra back on. Highly annoying.

Now, you wait for your number to be called. (If you are there on a weekday, processing is generally quicker due to fewer visitors.) The phone will ring, and then usually 2 or 3 numbers are called at a time, depending on how many visitors are in each group. When you hear your number called, you exit the Hospitality Center, go to a short set of steps on your right, and enter the door at the bottom of the steps. A CO has to electronically unlock the door, so wait till you hear the buzz, and pull it open. Enter the building and go to your left where you will be processed. Hand the CO your ID and visitor form, empty your pockets into a bin, sign your name, stand on the mat for your picture to be taken (DON'T SMILE!), walk through the metal detector, collect your ID and pocketed items--a baggie or pouch with money for the vending machines is likely all you would have, take your visitor pass, go back to the room you first came into, and get an invisible stamp on your right hand. The CO at the desk will open the next electronic gate for you. Pass through the gate to a door that leads outside. Again, wait for the buzz and push open the door. Follow the path to the stairs leading to the next building. Enter here (no buzz) and show the pass to the COs at that desk. If you have commissary money, hand it over here. While the CO calls the block where the inmate is housed, sign in with your name and address, the inmate's name and DIN, and the time you are starting your visit. (There is a clock on the wall.) The CO will return your visitor pass along with an additional pass for the visit room to which you are assigned and instruct you to proceed down the hall to the next CO and gate. This CO will check your passes and direct you where to go next. We always visit in the Honor Visit Room, which is down the hall a little farther and to the right. Entering the visit room, show your pass to the CO seated at the desk on the far side of the room. A table will be assigned to you. Sit down and wait for your loved one to be brought in. Depending on where his cell is and the time of day, this wait can range from 10-30 minutes. You are allowed to give him a hug!

Enjoy the visit till 3pm. Visitors can purchase food and drinks for the inmate and themselves from the vending machines in a separate room (which you pass on the way to the visit room). Inmates can "check out" board games from a cabinet in the visit room too if you want to play a game during your visit. The restrooms for visitors and inmates are separate. You never know what you'll find in the restroom. Usually it is decent. A little before 3, a CO returns your visitor's pass so you have it to take back out with you. At 3pm, the CO announces, "The visit room is now closed." You get final goodbye hugs, grab any trash left at your table, and head for the door. Proceed single file back down the hallways to the "lobby" area, where the CO checks your pass and marks you off on the list of visitors. If there had been any rejected item from a package you had brought, this will be returned here. Go back outside again and down the steps, following the path to the next building. Wait for the buzz at the door, and be ready to get cozy with your neighbor. The door has to be closed before the next gate can be opened. When the gate opens, you have to file one at a time to pass your stamped hand under the blue light for the CO at the desk to check. Leave your visitor's pass on the desk, and head outside once more to return to the Hospitality Center and collect your belongings. Your visit is complete!

Our tradition is to have an early supper in Plattsburgh before making the 4-hour drive back home. ALWAYS drink more water during the ride than you think you need. Be sure to hydrate well during the visit too. We bring water in the car and hearty snacks: cheese, nuts, fruit, and some salty crunchies, plus dark chocolate. The drive home can get rather tedious and exhausting. We like to listen to comedy on Spotify or YouTube to keep ourselves alert.

We have also visited the correctional facilities in Elmira and Auburn. Procedures are similar, but there are a few variations. For example, Elmira takes large groups of visitors for processing all at once whereas Clinton does a few at a time. To go from the parking area and Hospitality Center to the entrance of the facility requires a visitor to climb about 76 steps. Auburn also takes large groups, but there is no Hospitality Center where you can wait, sheltered from the weather. You wait on the sidewalk, having to stay close enough to the entrance so that you can hear the CO call the last name of the inmate you are visiting. Both of these prisons have specific days for visiting, typically depending on the last name of the inmate. Clinton Correctional in Dannemora has open visiting every day.