Search Erie County Inmate Population

Erie County inmate population records are managed through two separate facilities run by the Sheriff's Office. The county has both the Erie County Holding Center in downtown Buffalo and the Erie County Correctional Facility in Alden. Together, these two locations house pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates from across the county. If you need to find someone in custody, the sheriff's office can confirm whether a person is being held at either site. People arrested in Buffalo, Amherst, Cheektowaga, Tonawanda, Hamburg, and all other towns within Erie County are processed through this system. State-level tools like VINELink and the DOCCS lookup cover people held in state prison.

Erie County Holding Center and Inmate Population

The Erie County Jail Management Division runs two facilities. The Erie County Holding Center sits at 40 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, NY 14202. This is where most new arrests go first. Pre-trial detainees stay here while their cases move through the courts. The phone number is (716) 858-7638. Bail is accepted around the clock, and cash bail can be posted at any time of day or night.

The Erie County Correctional Facility is located at 11581 Walden Ave., Alden, NY 14004. This second site holds inmates serving sentences of up to one year, along with some pre-trial detainees. The phone number for Alden is (716) 937-9101. Both facilities fall under the Jail Management Division of the Erie County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff John C. Garcia leads the office. Undersheriff William J. Cooley serves as second in command. The sheriff's main office is at 10 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, NY 14202, with a phone line at (716) 858-7618.

Medical care is handled by the Correctional Health Unit at (716) 858-8931. Mental health services are available at (716) 858-8095. The PREA tip line, for reporting sexual abuse in the facilities, is (716) 858-8176. Both facilities must meet standards set by the NYS Commission of Correction under Correction Law Article 3. The commission tracks daily census data from Erie County and all 60 county correctional facilities in the state.

Visiting Inmates in Erie County Facilities

Visitation rules differ at each facility. At the Erie County Correctional Facility in Alden, visits happen on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Tuesday sign-up runs from 7:00 to 11:00 AM and 12:30 to 1:30 PM. Wednesday offers the most time slots, with evening visits from 6:30 to 10:30 PM. Thursday visits start in the afternoon. The Holding Center in Buffalo has its own schedule, with Tuesday visits beginning at 7:30 AM. Video visitation is also available through ICSenforcer for people who cannot visit in person.

Visitors must bring valid photo ID. Accepted forms include a state driver's license, non-driver ID, military ID, valid passport, or Social Services card with photo. Metal detector screening is required for all visitors. K-9 searches may also be conducted before entry. There is a dress code. No orange clothing is allowed. See-through clothing, hats, scarves, hoods, and overly revealing outfits are not permitted. Children under 18 need a birth certificate or adoption papers. Only one child per adult visitor is allowed at a time.

How to Search Erie County Inmate Population Records

Start with the sheriff's office. Call (716) 858-7638 for the Holding Center or (716) 937-9101 for the Alden facility. Staff can tell you if a person is in custody. You can also try VINELink to search for inmates held in Erie County. VINE covers county jails across New York. It lets you sign up for alerts when someone is released or moved. The toll-free number is 1-866-277-7477.

For people in state prison, use the DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup. It covers anyone currently or previously held in a state correctional facility. Search by name, birth year, or Department Identification Number. The system runs nearly around the clock with a short break near midnight. People held in state prison since the early 1970s show up in this database. Those whose convictions were sealed under CPL §160.50 will not appear. Youthful offenders are also excluded from the public lookup.

The Erie County Sheriff FAQ page covers common questions about jail operations, civil process, and domestic violence services.

The screenshot below shows the Erie County Sheriff's Office website, which provides contact details and information about the Jail Management Division.

Use this page to find phone numbers and addresses for both jail facilities in Erie County.

Inmate Population Records and FOIL in Erie County

The Freedom of Information Law gives the public a right to request records from government agencies. In Erie County, you can submit a FOIL request to the Sheriff's Office for inmate-related records. Put your request in writing. The sheriff must respond within five business days. That response will either give you the records, deny the request with an explanation, or provide a date when the records will be ready. Copy fees are 25 cents per page for standard documents.

The Erie County Clerk, Michael P. "Mickey" Kearns, maintains court records and land records separately from the sheriff. Court documents filed in Supreme Court and County Court go through the Clerk's office. FOIL requests for court records can be directed there as well. Recording fees apply for court filings.

Under Correction Law §9, DOCCS must remove certain non-violent offender information from public websites three years after the person finishes their sentence and supervision. This means some older records will not show up in online searches. Sealed records under CPL §160.59 are also not available to the public. The OCA Criminal History Record Search is another option, covering all 62 counties in New York. The fee is $95 per search and you need a full name and date of birth.

HALT Act Data and Erie County Inmate Population Reporting

Erie County publishes monthly HALT Act data reports. These reports track the use of segregated confinement within the county's two jail facilities. The HALT Act places limits on how long an inmate can be held in solitary confinement. Monthly data is available through the sheriff's Jail Management Division page. This kind of reporting is required by state law and helps the public track conditions inside the facilities.

The Erie County Sheriff's Office page below shows the HALT Act data reporting section, which publishes monthly updates on segregated confinement use in the county's facilities.

These monthly reports are part of the county's compliance with state corrections oversight rules.

The Commission of Correction also publishes quarterly inmate population statistics that include Erie County data. Their Monthly Jail Population report tracks average daily census figures. Annual reports go back several years. All 60 county correctional facilities in New York must meet the Commission's minimum standards under Correction Law Article 3. The Commission reviews complaints about jail conditions and investigates deaths in custody.

Legal Resources in Erie County

The Committee on Open Government can help if you have trouble getting records through FOIL. They give advice on what records are public and how to file requests properly. Phone: 518-474-2518. Email: foil@dos.ny.gov. The Erie County Bar Association can connect you with attorneys who handle criminal defense or inmate rights cases.

For crime victims, VINELink provides free notification services. Register for alerts about a specific inmate and get told by email, text, or phone when that person is released or moved. The Erie County Sheriff's Domestic Violence Unit has a hotline at (716) 858-7999. Anonymous crime reporting is available at (716) 858-2903. Non-criminal fingerprinting can be requested at (716) 858-6566.

Cities in Erie County

Erie County includes several cities and towns. People arrested anywhere in the county go to either the Holding Center or the Correctional Facility.

Other communities in Erie County include Lancaster, Orchard Park, West Seneca, and Clarence. Inmates from all of these areas are held at the county facilities.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Erie County. Check the arrest location to determine which county jail holds someone.