Finding a friend or family member who just got picked up is incredibly stressful. You’re likely frantic, sitting at a kitchen table with ten tabs open, trying to figure out if they’re actually in Valhalla or if the system just hasn't updated yet. It’s a mess. Honestly, the Westchester correctional facility inmate lookup isn't as intuitive as it should be, and if you don't know the specific quirks of the Westchester County Department of Correction (WCDOC), you’ll end up calling a bunch of automated lines that lead nowhere.
Let's get the big thing out of the way first. People often confuse the "Westchester County Jail" with "Bedford Hills" or "Sing Sing." Those last two are state prisons. If someone was just arrested in Yonkers, White Plains, or Mount Vernon, they are almost certainly at the County Jail in Valhalla, located on the Grasslands Campus. This is a local facility, not a state one, and that distinction determines exactly which website you need to use.
How to actually use the Westchester correctional facility inmate lookup
Don't just Google "inmate search." You'll get hit with those "People Search" sites that want $29.99 to tell you nothing. To find someone in Westchester County custody for free, you have a few real options.
The official Westchester County Department of Correction (WCDOC) has an online portal. It’s basic. You’ll need the person’s full name. If they have a common name like "John Smith," you’re going to be scrolling for a while. If the online tool is being glitchy—which happens more than it should—your best bet is the VINE system (Victim Information and Notification Everyday).
You can reach VINE at 1-888-VINE-4-NY. It’s a 24-hour service. It’s usually more up-to-date than the county’s web portal because it pulls data directly from the booking system every few minutes.
Sometimes, the person won't show up. Why?
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- They’re still in booking. It can take 4 to 12 hours for a person to be fully processed and "appear" in the system.
- They’re at a local precinct. If they haven't seen a judge yet, they might still be in a holding cell at the Yonkers PD or another local department.
- Security reasons. High-profile inmates or those in protective custody are sometimes hidden from the public lookup.
Making the Call
If the internet fails you, call the jail directly. The main information number is (914) 231-1000. Be prepared to wait on hold. When you finally get a human, have the person's date of birth ready. They won't give you much information over the phone, but they will confirm if the person is there and what their bail amount is.
Understanding Bail and the JID Number
Once you’ve confirmed they’re in Valhalla, you need two pieces of info: the JID (Jail Identification Number) and the bail amount. You can't do anything without that JID. It’s the key to sending money, scheduling visits, and posting bail.
Bail in Westchester is a whole different beast. You can post it in person at the jail 24/7. But wait—there's a catch. They only take cash or major credit cards. If you're using a credit card, the person whose name is on the card must be physically present with a valid ID. Also, there’s a limit. Usually, credit card bail is capped at $10,000 if you’re at the facility, and even lower ($2,500) if you’re trying to do it online via GovPayNet.
If the bail is high, like $50,000, don't bother driving to Valhalla with a suitcase of cash unless you want to be questioned by investigators. You'll likely need a bail bondsman. There are plenty of them right across from the courthouse in White Plains. They usually charge a 10% fee that you don’t get back.
Sending Money and Keeping in Touch
You found them. Now what? They’re going to call you collect, and it's expensive. To make it cheaper, you can put money on their "books."
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Westchester uses a system called TouchPay. You can find kiosks in the jail lobby at 10 Woods Road, Valhalla. They take cash and cards. If you don't want to drive out there, use their website. Just a heads-up: the fees are annoying. They’ll take a cut of whatever you send.
Mail is another story. You can’t just send a regular envelope with a letter anymore. Westchester, like many NY counties, has moved to a digital mail system to stop contraband. Basically, you send mail to a processing center, they scan it, and the inmate reads it on a tablet.
The address for inmate mail is:
Inmate Name, JID Number
PO Box 10
Valhalla, NY 10595
Don't send perfumes, glitter, or "suggestive" photos. They'll just toss the whole letter.
Visitation: It's Not Like the Movies
You can't just show up and talk through glass. You have to schedule visits in advance. Westchester is strict about this. Face-to-face visits are usually divided by the unit the person is housed in. For example, some units only get visitors on Sundays and Tuesdays, while others are Thursday through Saturday.
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Call the visit scheduling line at (914) 231-4116.
Here is what will get you kicked out before you even get inside:
- The wrong clothes. No hoodies, no open-toed shoes (leave the Crocs at home), and no "skimpy" clothing. If your shorts are more than two inches above the knee, you aren't getting in.
- No ID. You need a government-issued photo ID. No exceptions.
- Being late. If your visit is at 10:30 AM and you pull into the parking lot at 10:25, you probably won't clear security in time.
Professional visits (lawyers, clergy) are a bit different and can usually be done on a walk-up basis, but for family and friends, you’ve got to play by the schedule.
The Reality of Valhalla
Look, the Westchester County Jail isn't a fun place, but it's generally considered "cleaner" and "safer" than Rikers Island in the city. That doesn't mean it's easy. The facility is officially known as the Westchester County Correctional Center. It houses both people waiting for trial and those serving short sentences (usually under a year).
If the person you’re looking for was convicted of a felony and sentenced to more than a year, they won't stay in Westchester. They’ll be transferred to a New York State prison. If that happens, the Westchester correctional facility inmate lookup will eventually show them as "discharged" or "transferred." At that point, you have to switch over to the NYS DOCCS lookup tool.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're looking for someone right now, do this:
- Check the official WCDOC portal first. If they aren't there, wait two hours and check again.
- Call 914-231-1000 and ask for "Central Booking" to confirm the JID and bail amount.
- Set up a GTL or Securus account. This is how they will call you. If you don't have an account with a balance, you won't get the call.
- Check the visitation schedule for their specific housing unit before you drive to Valhalla. Each block has different days.
Dealing with the system is a marathon, not a sprint. Get the JID number first, then everything else becomes slightly less of a headache.