Erie County Booking Releases
Erie County booking releases come from two facilities: the Erie County Holding Center in downtown Buffalo and the Erie County Correctional Facility in Alden. Together, these sites handle between 15,000 and 20,000 bookings per year, making Erie County one of the busiest jail systems in New York outside of New York City. You can search for booking releases through the Sheriff's Office website, the published inmate roster, phone inquiry, or FOIL requests. This page covers every option for finding booking releases in Erie County.
Erie County Booking Releases Overview
Where to Find Erie County Booking Releases
The Erie County Sheriff's Office maintains the inmate lookup for both facilities. The Jail Management Division provides online and offline methods to find someone in custody. You can search their website by name, booking number, or date of birth. Results include the person's full legal name, aliases, date of birth, booking photo, inmate ID, date and time of booking, housing facility and unit, custody classification, charges, case numbers, arresting agency, bond or bail amount, bond type and status, next court date, and projected release date.
The screenshot below shows the Erie County Sheriff's Office website with links to the Jail Management Division and inmate search tools.
The Sheriff's Office website serves as the main portal for accessing Erie County booking release records and inmate information.
The Sheriff's Office also publishes a regularly updated inmate roster as a downloadable PDF. This roster lists all currently held individuals with their name, date of birth, facility location (ECHC or ECCF), and booking date. It is a quick way to scan who is currently in custody at either facility.
The Jail Management Division page provides direct access to facility operations, inmate classification, program administration, and record maintenance resources.
The Jail Management Division oversees both the Holding Center and the Correctional Facility for Erie County.
Erie County Booking Release Facilities
Erie County runs two separate detention facilities. The Erie County Holding Center (ECHC) sits at 40 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo. Phone: (716) 858-7636. This is the primary intake facility. Most booking releases start here. It houses pretrial detainees and sentenced inmates in downtown Buffalo.
The Erie County Correctional Facility (ECCF) is at 11581 Walden Avenue in Alden, about 20 miles east of Buffalo. Phone: (716) 937-5800. This site holds sentenced inmates and long-term detainees. It offers expanded programming and services compared to the Holding Center. Together, the two facilities have about 1,600 beds and a combined daily population of 1,200 to 1,500 inmates.
The Correctional Health Unit at 716-858-8931 provides medical and dental services to both sites. Mental health services come through the Erie County Department of Mental Health and the Adult Forensic Mental Health Clinic at 716-858-8095. These services run at both the Holding Center and the Correctional Facility.
Note: When searching for Erie County booking releases, check both ECHC and ECCF since inmates may be held at either location or transferred between them.
Erie County Booking Release Data
Erie County processes 15,000 to 20,000 bookings per year across both facilities. The ECHC has roughly 600 beds. The ECCF has about 1,000. The combined daily population runs between 1,200 and 1,500 inmates. Demographics show the population is 88% male and 12% female, with an average age of 32.
Offense breakdown: violent crimes at 35%, property crimes at 25%, drug offenses at 25%, DWI at 10%, and other charges at 5%. Pretrial detainees make up 70% of the population. Sentenced inmates account for 30%. The NYS Commission of Correction monitors both Erie County facilities and publishes annual data on population trends and booking volumes.
Erie County serves a large population that includes Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Amherst, Hamburg, and Tonawanda. The volume of booking releases reflects the size and density of this area. The county jail directory lists both Erie County facilities with their capacity and contact details.
Erie County Booking Releases and Public Records Law
FOIL requests for Erie County booking releases go to the Records Access Officer at the Erie County Sheriff's Office, 10 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202. You can submit by letter, in person at the Records Division, or through the Erie County website portal if available. Include the inmate's full name, date of birth, approximate dates of incarceration, the specific records you want, and your contact info.
Standard copies cost $0.25 per page. Electronic records are charged at the cost of the media. Extensive searches may come with labor costs. The Sheriff's Office must respond within five business days and provide a full response within 20 business days. Extensions are allowed with written notice. Under Public Officers Law Sections 84 through 90, booking releases are public records subject to FOIL. The Committee on Open Government handles appeals if your request is denied.
Court Records and Erie County Booking Releases
The Erie County Clerk's Office at 92 Franklin Street in Buffalo (716-858-8785) maintains court records. The Erie County Court at 25 Delaware Avenue handles felony cases. Buffalo City Court and various town and village courts manage misdemeanors and local matters.
In-person access is available at the County Clerk's Office during business hours. Public access computers are provided, and staff can help you find specific records. Online options include the NYS Unified Court System WebCrims portal and the Erie County Clerk document search portal. Standard copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies run $5.00. The OCA Criminal History Record Search provides statewide court record access that can help connect booking releases to case outcomes.
Erie County Jail Services and Booking Release Info
Video visitation at Erie County runs through ICSolutions. You must register online and schedule in advance. On-site visits are available by appointment. Check the Sheriff's Office website for current status and procedures. All visitors need valid photo ID and pre-registration. A background check may be required. The dress code is enforced, and no contraband is allowed.
Commissary deposits can be made online, through lobby kiosks at both facilities, or by mailing money orders. Items available include snacks, hygiene products, stationery, clothing, and approved electronics. Phone service runs through GTL/Securus with collect calls and prepaid accounts.
Mail to the Holding Center goes to the inmate's full name at Erie County Holding Center, 40 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202. Mail to the Correctional Facility goes to Erie County Correctional Facility, 11581 Walden Avenue, Alden, NY 14004. For state-level searches, the DOCCS Inmate Lookup covers anyone transferred from Erie County to state prison. The VINE Link system lets you sign up for free booking release notifications at both Erie County facilities.
Nearby Counties
Erie County borders several other western New York counties. Check these for additional booking release records: