Erie County Inmate Search
Members of the public who wish to locate offenders housed in correctional facilities within Erie County, New York, can do so using an inmate search. An Erie County inmate search provides inquirers with different types of information, such as the inmate's name, location, and conviction status. All of this is considered part of Erie County Public Records, which means that they are unsealed and available per New York Public Records laws. Inmate searches are necessary for multiple reasons. Members of the public often conduct inmate searches to make informed decisions about general safety. Lawyers and journalists may also look up Erie County inmate information while preparing for a case or for research purposes, and law enforcement officials also use inmate records during investigations. Depending on where the offender is held, the data provided during an inmate search may be retrieved from a county, state, or federal-run facility.
Erie County Crime and Incarceration Statistics
In 2022, Erie County recorded a daily average of 3389 inmates at the Erie County jail and 394 at the Erie County Correctional Facility. However, the County Correctional Facility had 98 sentenced inmates compared to the 41 incarcerated in the County Jail. According to statistics provided by the NY Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) for Erie County, in 2022, the county recorded approximately 22,890 index crimes. Of these, larceny-theft accounted for more than 50% of reports, with 14,718 incidents, making it the most recurring property crime. In comparison, reports of aggravated assault were the most recurring violent crime, accounting for 2,130 out of approximately 3,232 violent cases. Other recurring crimes included burglary, motor vehicle theft, and robbery, with 2,373, 2,580, and 742 cases, respectively.
Erie County Prison System
Eric County's prison system includes multiple city jails and a state prison run by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. It also consists of the county holding center and a county correctional facility, both overseen by the Erie County Sheriff's Office. Located in Buffalo, the Erie County Holding Center (ECHC) is a maximum-security holding facility that houses pre-trial inmates. It holds up to 630 inmates. In comparison, the Erie County Correctional Facility (ECCF) houses up to 880 inmates and is located in Alden. Both facilities accommodate male and female adults.
Other facilities in the county include:
- Buffalo City Jail
- Cheektowaga City Jail
- Collins Correctional Facility
- Wende Correctional Facility
- West Seneca City Jail
How to Find an Inmate in Erie County
Members of the public have multiple options for finding inmates in Erie County, depending on the custodial correctional facility. Information about inmates incarcerated by the state can be found by contacting the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. In addition to its contact number, the department provides online options for looking up inmates. For inmates housed in county-run facilities, inquirers can contact the local sheriff's office at the following address:
Erie County Sheriff's Office
10 Delaware Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 858-7618
How Does an Erie County Inmate Search Work?
Erie County inmate lookups provide access to databases maintained by the state and county governments. Access to these records is permitted under New York's Freedom of Information laws, which allow residents to inspect or obtain copies of any record filed, held, or kept by any agency in any physical form. Some of the information that may be obtained from an inmate search includes:
- Inmate name
- Race/Ethnicity
- Date of Birth
- Age
- Custody status (released/incarcerated)
- Booking date
- Inmate's number
- Name of holding facility
- Date received
- Crimes of conviction
- Aggregate minimum and maximum sentence
- Earliest release date and type
- Sentence terms and terms of release
- Details of parole
- Conditional release date
Where to Find an Erie County Inmate Locator
The Erie County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate roster that contains details of offenders and inmates held in county-run facilities. The roster is regularly updated to account for new additions. It provides information such as the inmate's name, booking date, ICN number, and the holding facility.
Similarly, the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision provides an online incarcerated lookup tool to assist with inmate lookups for offenders held in facilities maintained by the state. However, the search tool's database only provides information on individuals confined by the state since 1970. For records before this year, inquirers may need to contact the department directly. Using the online tool, residents can search for inmates using a known NYSID (New York State ID Number) or DIN (Department ID number). Of these options, the DIN provides the most direct results. Searches can also be done using a first or last name. Inquirers who do not have a DIN can do so by contacting the DOCCS Central Files at (518) 457-5000 for assistance.
How to Send Money to an Erie County Inmate
Members of the public can send funds to an inmate housed at the Erie County Holding Center (ECHC) or Erie County Holding Center (ECHC) using the AccessCorrections service. Payments can either be made by filling and completing a money order deposit form or making a payment using the online platform. Payment details must include:
- The inmate's ID.
- The sender's first and last name.
- The inmate's first and last name.
- The amount to be sent.
Residents who wish to send money to inmates housed at the Collins Correctional Facility (or any DOC facilities in Erie County) can use any of four options: phone, online, kiosk, or walk-in payments. Residents can send (wire) money over the phone by calling the toll-free number of a money transfer agent or visiting the office of any qualified money transfer agent and making a payment. Accepted payment mediums include credit cards and debit cards. Alternatively, friends and family can send money to inmates using the online inmate lookup system maintained by the NY DOC.
All payments must come with enough information to facilitate the transfer. As such, deposits must include the inmate's first and last name and the inmate's booking number, case number, or NYSID.
How to Visit an Erie County Inmate
Visitations at the Collins Correctional Facility in Erie County are only permitted on weekends and holidays. Visit schedules are divided into alternating odd-even segments based on the last digit of the inmate's DIN. While inmates are permitted a maximum of one visit per day, inmates may not relieve more than three adult visitors and one child (5 or younger).
How to Send Jail Mail in Erie County
Anyone can send jail mail in Erie County, provided it is in line with the county's regulations. Jail mail sent to inmates housed in any county-run facility must include the inmate's details as well as the name of the correctional facility. Mails should be addressed in the following format:
Inmate's name and ICN # (on the inmate's bracelet)
Erie County Holding Center
40 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202
OR
Inmate's name and ICN # (on the inmate's bracelet)
Erie County Correctional Facility
11581 Walden Avenue
Alden, NY 14004
Similarly, inmates at the Collins Correctional Facility may send or receive unlimited jail mail if the mail conforms with DOC regulations. Detainees can also receive non-legal printed materials such as magazines, newspapers, printed articles, and periodicals. Incoming mail must also be properly addressed with the following information:
- The full name of the receiving inmate
- The inmate's case number or booking number
- The name and address of the inmate's location (housing facility)
Erie County Jails and Prisons
The following are some jail facilities, prisons, and detention centers in Erie County, New York:
Buffalo City Jail
74 Franklin Street,
Buffalo, NY
Cheektowaga City Jail
3223 Union Road,
Cheektowaga, NY
Collins Correctional Facility
Middle Road,
Collins, NY
Erie County Correctional Facility
11581 Walden Avenue,
Alden, NY
Erie County Holding Center
40 Delaware Avenue,
Buffalo, NY
Erie County Juvenile Detention Center
810 East Ferry Street,
Buffalo, NY
Gowanda Correctional Facility
South Road
Gowanda, NY
Wende Correctional Facility
3040 Wende Road,
Alden, NY
West Seneca City Jail
1250 Union Road,
West Seneca, NY
