Correction Dept. Web Site Offers Inmate Updates

By REUVEN BLAU

Want information on how to volunteer at city jails? Looking to visit an inmate on Rikers Island? The city Correction Department's newly updated Web site now supplies all that and more.

"Communicating how the jail system works while providing victims of crime, families of inmates and the rest of the public with clear and up-to-the-minute information on approximately 14,000 inmates is a critical component of serving the public," said Correction Commissioner Martin F. Horn in a statement.

The address of the new Web site is: www.nyc.gov/doc .

The site's main enhancement is the Inmate Lookup Service, which allows people to access data on inmates presently incarcerated. The homepage also provides information on how to pay bail, send mail to inmates, and become a Correction Officer. Additionally, it lists department statistics and details the history of the agency.

The upgrade is part of the latest initiative to help ex-inmates, their families, and others get information on programs and community services. Individuals leaving jail can now call 311 and get connected to a service provider for re-entry assistance, including areas such as housing, employment, health care and addiction.