New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision · 3 Steps Required for Exhaustion
New York has the most complex state grievance process. Step 1 involves a formal IGRC hearing. Step 2 goes to the Superintendent. Step 3 is an appeal to the Central Office Review Committee (CORC) in Albany — the only body whose decision constitutes exhaustion.
Step 1 Deadline
21 days
Steps Required
3
The IGRC hearing at Step 1 is mandatory — you must appear and present your case.
Only the CORC decision at Step 3 constitutes exhaustion for federal court.
Departmental policy grievances are forwarded directly to CORC, bypassing the Superintendent.
You have only 7 days to appeal each denial — act immediately upon receiving any response.
Each step must be completed in order. You cannot skip ahead. Here is exactly what to do.
IGRC — Initial Grievance & Hearing
Submit to: Inmate Grievance Resolution Committee (IGRC) via Grievance Clerk
Your Filing Deadline
21 days from incident
Calendar days
Their Response Window
16 days
Calendar days
Form(s) Required
What You Must Know
File within 21 calendar days of the incident.
The IGRC will schedule a hearing within 16 days — you must attend.
Bring witnesses and any written evidence to the hearing.
The IGRC written decision must be issued within 2 working days of the hearing.
Appeal to Superintendent
Submit to: Facility Superintendent via Grievance Clerk
Your Filing Deadline
7 days from prior response
Calendar days
Their Response Window
20 days
Calendar days
Form(s) Required
What You Must Know
Appeal within 7 calendar days of the IGRC decision.
The Superintendent has 20 calendar days to respond.
If no response within 45 days, you may appeal to CORC.
Departmental issues are forwarded directly to CORC — you will receive notice.
Appeal to CORC
Submit to: Central Office Review Committee (CORC), Albany, NY via Grievance Clerk
Your Filing Deadline
7 days from prior response
Calendar days
Their Response Window
30 days
Calendar days
Form(s) Required
What You Must Know
Appeal within 7 calendar days of the Superintendent's response.
CORC has 30 calendar days to respond; if no response within 45 days, send a follow-up letter.
The CORC decision is the final step — it constitutes exhaustion for federal court.
Keep all forms and receipts; CORC decisions are sometimes lost in transit.
Our team knows the DOCCS process inside and out. We'll track every deadline, prepare every form, and make sure nothing gets dismissed on a technicality.