Erie County Sheriff's Office
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
JAIL MANAGEMENT DIVISION – ERIE COUNTY HOLDING CENTER
1. Location:
40 Delaware Avenue- Buffalo, NY 14202
Visiting Schedule- Saturday – Wednesday
7:00 AM- 2:30 PM
Visitor signup: Begins at 6:30 AM – 1:45 PM for 1 hour visit
2:00 PM for half hour visit
2. What can I expect when I enter the Holding Center?
- You must clear the metal detector to enter the visiting room the visiting room (strongly suggested to wear sneakers)
- You will need medical documentation for all medical devices on your person
- You will be required to submit to a K-9 search
- You must dress appropriately
- You will not be admitted if you have any of the following on:
- ORANGE CLOTHING OF ANY KIND
- See through clothing
- Hats, scarves or hoods
- Shirts with inappropriate symbols or messages
- Suit coats
- Overly alluring, suggestive or revealing clothing
The final decision as to the appropriateness of dress lies with the sergeant assigned to the visiting area
3. What types of personal identification do I need to bring to the Holding Center?
Acceptable forms of identification include:
- Valid New York State Driver's License
- Valid New York State Non-Driver's License
- Valid Driver's License issued by any other sate or province
- Valid United States Military Identification Card
- Valid Passport
4. Can I bring my child to the Holding Center to visit an inmate?
Parents or legal guardians who wish to bring a child (anyone under 18 years of age) to visit a prisoner, must provide adequate identification for the child. Identification for the child MUST INCLUDE:
- The child's birth certificate (original or certified copy)
- Adoption papers (original or certified copy)
- Guardianship papers (original or certified copy)
- Student identification card issued by a recognized school district
- Student bus pass
- New York State Learner's permit
- Any person under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to visit an inmate in the facility
- Only 1 child will be allowed per adult
- Children are not to be left in the public lobby without a parent or guardian
- Children will not be allowed to run, scream, or shout in the visiting area
- Only one child and one adult will be allowed to visit an inmate at any one time
5. Can I drop off clothing to an inmate?
Clothing can be dropped off and dirty laundry can be picked up at the following times:
-Monday- Friday- 7:00 AM- 11: 15 AM
12:30 PM- 2:15 PM
3:00 PM-5:15 PM
6:30 PM-7:30 PM
-Saturday- Sunday- 7:00 AM- 11:15 AM
12:30 PM-2:15 PM
Allowable Clothing:
- 6 pairs of white socks
- 6 T-shirts (white, no logos, lettering, no pockets)
- 6 pair of underwear-briefs/boxers (must be white)
- 6 bras (no bones or underwire bras)
6. What types of property will not be accepted by the Holding Center?
- No sneakers will be accepted
- No sweat suits, jogging suits, pajamas, robes, belts, boots, sandals, or any other items except those listed above
- No magazines, newspapers or books (they will only be accepted via US Mail directly from the publisher
- No Money (cash), personal checks, Non- U.S. postal money orders, nude personal photographs, musical greeting cards, oversized greeting cards, plastic type cards, telephone calling cards, personal identification cards, sonograms, Polaroid's (whole or altered), more than ten photographs, medicine, personal hygiene items such as deodorant, hair products, comb, brushes, toothpaste, tooth brushes, shampoos, soap, washcloths, towels, cosmetics, metal or wooden crosses, chains, necklaces, medallions, rings, watches, bracelets, stamps, writing paper, envelopes, pens, pencils, crayons, colored pencils, pantyhose, metal objects, plastic objects, glue substances, decals, stickers, artwork: beaded, painted, glued, stringed, etc., belts, food items, candy cologne or perfume, cassette tapes, electrical items such as radios, tape players, televisions, lottery tickets, hair, tobacco products
IN OTHER WORDS, any item which can be purchased in the inmate commissary and which is sent through the US mail will be considered contraband- and will be returned to sender at THEIR expense.
7. I want to send an inmate mail- how do I address it?
Mail should be addressed to an inmate as follows:
Inmate's name and ICN # (on the inmate's bracelet)
Erie County Holding Center
40 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14202
8. I want to give an inmate money- how do I go about that?
If you wish to provide money for an inmate while they are at the Holding Center, you may deposit it at the cashier's window located on the first floor near the Delaware Avenue entrance during the hours specified below:
Monday-Friday
7:00 AM-11:15 AM
12:30 PM- 2:15 PM
3:00 PM-5:15 PM
6:30 PM- 7:30 PM
Saturday-Sunday
7:00 AM-11:15 AM
12:30 PM-2:15 PM
9. I want to bail an inmate out with cash? At what hours can I do this?
Cash bails will be accepted for the city, towns, and village courts 24 hours per day, 7 days a week
JAIL MANAGEMENT DIVISION – ERIE COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
1. Location:
11581 Walden Avenue- Alden, NY 14004
Visiting Schedule- Saturday – Wednesday
7:30 AM- 11:15 AM & 1:00 PM-2:00 PM
Visitor signup: Begins at 7:15 AM – 11:00 AM & 12:30 PM-1:30 PM
2. What can I expect when I visit a prisoner at the Correctional Facility?
- Drug detection dogs will patrol the lobby and visiting area periodically at unscheduled times
- You may briefly kiss the prisoner at the start and end of your visit
- Hands will remain on top of the table and feet will remain on the floor
- No passing of any item between visitor and prisoner or between prisoner and visitor will be allowed
- No gum chewing will be allowed
- No cross visiting will be allowed between tables
- No food or beverages will be allowed into the visiting room
- You will not be allowed to bring any items into the visiting room such as pens, pencils, combs, etc.
- NO ORANGE CLOTHING OF ANY KIND
- No see through clothing
- No hats, scarves or hoods
- No shirts with inappropriate symbols or messages
- No suit coats
- No overly alluring, suggestive or revealing clothing
The final decision as to the appropriateness of dress lies with personnel assigned to the visiting area
3. What types of personal identification do I need to bring to the Correctional Facility? (one form)
- Acceptable forms of identification include:
- Valid New York State Driver's License
- Valid New York State Non-Driver's License
- Valid Driver's License issued by any other sate or province
- Valid United States Military Identification Card
- Valid Passport
4. Can I bring my child to the Correctional Facility to visit a prisoner?
- Only one child will be allowed per adult
- Children are not to be left in the public lobby without a parent or guardian
- Children will not be allowed to run, scream, or shout in the visiting area
- Any person under18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to visit a prisoner
Allowable Clothing:
- 6 pairs of white socks
- 6 T-shirts (white, no logos, lettering, no pockets)
- 6 pair of underwear-briefs/boxers (must be white)
- 6 bras (no bones or underwire bras)
5. What types of property will not be accepted by the Correctional Facility?
- No sneakers will be accepted
- No sweat suits, jogging suits, pajamas, robes, belts, boots, sandals, or any other items except those listed above
- No magazines, newspapers or books (they will only be accepted via US Mail directly from the publisher
- No Money (cash), personal checks, Non- U.S. postal money orders, nude personal photographs, musical greeting cards, oversized greeting cards, plastic type cards, telephone calling cards, personal identification cards, sonograms, Polaroid's (whole or altered), more than ten photographs, medicine, personal hygiene items such as deodorant, hair products, comb, brushes, toothpaste, tooth brushes, shampoos, soap, washcloths, towels, cosmetics, metal or wooden crosses, chains, necklaces, medallions, rings, watches, bracelets, stamps, writing paper, envelopes, pens, pencils, crayons, colored pencils, pantyhose, metal objects, plastic objects, glue substances, decals, stickers, artwork: beaded, painted, glued, stringed, etc., belts, food items, candy cologne or perfume, cassette tapes, electrical items such as radios, tape players, televisions, lottery tickets, hair, tobacco products
IN OTHER WORDS, any item which can be purchased in the prisoner commissary and which is sent through the US mail will be considered contraband- and will be returned to sender at THEIR expense.
6. I want to send a prisoner mail- how do I address it?
Mail should be addressed to a prisoner as follows:
Prisoner's name and ICN # (on the prisoner's bracelet)
Erie County Correctional Facility
11581 Walden Avenue
Alden, New York 14004
7. I want to give prisoner money- how do I go about that?
If you wish to provide money for a prisoner while they are at the Correctional Facility you may deposit it at the cashier's window located on the first floor in the lobby of the Correctional Facility during the following hours:
Monday-Friday7:15 AM-2:45 PM
Civil Division
1. Location/hours of operation/phone & fax # to Civil Division
- 134 W. Eagle St. - 4th Floor, Buffalo, NY 14202
- Open 9 - 5, M - F, excluding legal holidays.
- Phone - 858.7606
- Fax - 858.7621
2. Must I come down to the Civil Division's office or can I file papers via mail?
- Papers may be filed by mail, but call to confirm required documents.
3. What forms of payment are accepted?
- Cash, certified or cashier's check and attorney check only.
4. How can I evict a tenant?
- Legal eviction (note: landlord lockouts are not legal evictions) must be done through the local court in the municipality where the premises are located. Call the court clerk/personnel, who will walk you through the steps.
5. Can I seize a debtor's bank account?
- Yes, though new laws provide certain protections for individual debtors (rather than businesses).
6. Where do I file my transcript of judgment?
- At the County Clerk's Office, 92 Franklin St., Buffalo
7. What are the costs for your services and who pays them?
- Costs vary greatly; refer to Civil' Division's Website pages for details. The creditor (i.e., the one owed the money) pays all associated fees in advance. However, all fees, provided enough money is collected to cover them, are reimbursed before applying any money to the judgment interest & balance.
8. How long are money judgments good for?
- Money judgments are valid for 20 years.
9. What rate of interest is applied to money judgments?
- The rate is 9% per year.
10. What type or kind of debtor's property is able to be seized and sold?
- Generally speaking, any property where ownership of the debtor can be established- is able to be seized and sold. See the Civil Division website for details.
Please be advised that the Civil Division does not/cannot provide legal advice and that an attorney could and should be consulted.