***Effective December 4, 2011, the Rikers Island inmate property pickup timeline has been modified.***

Former Inmates


Inmates discharged from any Rikers Island facility must schedule an appointment to pick up their property at the Rikers Island Central Cashier Office. You must request a property pickup appointment within 120 days of your release.

Call 311 (the NYC Information Line) to schedule the appointment. You will need to provide your book and case number or New York State identification number (NYSID). When you call you will be given a three-day period during which you can pickup the property, beginning at 12:00 p.m. three business days after you schedule the appointment with 311. The Central Cashier Office is always open.

Inmates discharged from the Brooklyn Detention Complex (BKDC), the Manhattan Detention Complex (MDC) or the Vernon C. Bain Center (VCBC), do not need an appointment to pick up their property but may do so anytime the facility’s cashier office is open.

As these hours may change, it's a good idea to call the facility's cashier office before visiting to verify the hours of operation.

Friends and Family

Friends and family of inmates may pickup property belonging to a former or current inmate, but must have prior authorization.

If the inmate is still incarcerated, the inmate must complete an Inmate Property Release Form at the facility, authorizing you to take the property. If the inmate is housed at MDC or VCBC, call the facility to check their hours and to verify that the inmate has completed the form. If the inmate is housed on Rikers Island, call 311 to schedule the appointment. You should also call the Rikers Island Central Cashier Office at (718) 546-8976 before going there, to verify that they have received the authorization form from the inmate.

If the inmate has been discharged, you must have a notarized letter from the inmate, giving you permission to pick up the property; bring the notarized letter when picking up the property. You will still need to check the hours for MDC or VCBC, or, to schedule an appointment with 311 for property on Rikers Island.