Inmate Item Delivery

Red, yellow, and light blue clothing or accessories are not allowed.

The following clothing and personal items are allowed:

• Four sets of underclothing (in accordance with the inmate's sex unless otherwise approved by medical)
• Four pairs of socks
• Four pairs of stockings, pantyhose, knee-hi's (combination) (female only)
• Two pairs of pajamas (male only)
• Two nightgowns or two pairs of pajamas (female only)
• One bathrobe
• One housecoat (female only)
• Two handkerchiefs (white only)
• Two scrunchies (ponytail holder)

The following items can also be sent to all inmates.  However, sentenced inmates will only have access to these items for scheduled on-trial court appearances or significant family events:

• One coat (Non-uniform, no blue or camouflage, no leather, No "Carhart," "Dickies," or bubble coats, etc.)
• One suit jacket (Non-uniform, no blue or camouflage, no leather or "Carhart')
• One pair of gloves (For outdoor cold weather, October through April.  No work or leather gloves, knit type only) 
• One hat/cap (Non-uniform, no stocking type caps)
• One raincoat (Non-Uniform, not reversible, no black, no camouflage, and no hoods)
• Two sweaters/sweatshirts (combination) (No hoods or pockets on sweatshirts)
• Two pairs of shorts or cut-off long pants
• Four pairs of pants (Non-uniform, no dark blue or camouflage).
• Four shirts/blouses (Non-uniform, no white, dark blue, or camouflage)
• Four dresses (female only)
• Four skirts (female only)
• One belt (Maximum 1 ½" wide, buckle maximum 2 ¼ " by 2", non-elastic)
• One tie (male only) (No black. Not allowed for inmates housed in mental health observation.)

Permitted Clothing Items for Adolescents at RNDC

Adolescents ages 16 to 18 at the Robert N. Davoren Center (RNDC) at Rikers Island must wear institutional uniforms. They are not permitted to wear personal clothing.

The RNDC accepts packages containing underwear, socks, and/or one set of clothing for on-trial court appearances. The RNDC does not accept packages delivered during visits or through the mail that contain any other personal clothing. 

Inmates are not permitted to wear personal footwear, except for scheduled on-trial court appearances or significant family events. Upon admission, all inmates are issued one pair of Department-issued footwear. All inmates are allowed to have one pair of personal footwear and two sets of shoelaces in their property, which will only be re-issued for scheduled on-trial court appearances or significant family events. 

The shoes cannot have hollow chambers or platform soles. Converse All-Stars high tops, New Balance, Nike, or Adidas sneakers or boots are prohibited.

An inmate may receive or send any amount of printed material in any language.

There is no limit on the amount of legal material, law books or legal publications an inmate may receive, as long as no package weighs more than 15 pounds and each package is fewer than 24 inches wide, 12 inches high, and 24 inches deep.

Inmates may receive one cubic foot (12 inches by 12 inches by 12 inches) of non-legal printed materials, including soft and hardcover books, magazines, newspapers, periodicals, pamphlets, advertisements, and other printed articles, in any combination.

Although DOC discourages inmates from receiving and possessing jewelry, inmates may receive the following items of jewelry:

• One watch (date and time functions only - maximum value $50)
• One wedding band (no stones or protrusions - maximum value $150)
• One religious medal (no stones, pins or protrusions); if worn around the neck, a thin chain no longer than 26 inches may be worn (maximum value $50)

Inmates may not possess or receive photographs that include pictures of themselves. Polaroid photographs are prohibited.

Toiletries and food items may not be sent or brought to inmates. Toiletries and food items must be purchased by the inmate in the commissary.

Inmates may receive the following permitted items:

• 1 calendar
• 6 pencils (no erasers, no metal parts)
• 6 charcoal sketch pencils
• 2 erasers (gum, rubber, or ink)
• 3 composition books
• 6 pads
• 1 pack of writing paper
• 10 envelopes
• 1 ruler (no metal or metal edge)
• 1 portfolio (legal size, cardboard only)
• 1 pair of prescription eyeglasses