Erie County Holding Center

Visiting at the Erie County Holding Center in Buffalo takes a little planning, but it's manageable once you know the schedule. The Buffalo facility publishes visiting sign-up windows on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The Erie County Correctional Facility in Alden lists sign-up and visiting times for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Check the facility calendar or scheduling page before you go. The Sheriff's Office directs visitors to the ICS/The Visitor scheduling page for current onsite and video visitation status and reservations. When you arrive, expect check-in with ID verification and screening. You'll need to clear the metal detector to enter the visiting room, and sneakers are strongly suggested. If you need to bring trial court clothing, drop-offs or exchanges are handled Monday through Friday during posted hours. Inmates are limited to two non-orange outfits.

Video visits at Erie County Holding Center run through the ICS/The Visitor system. You'll need to create a free account on the vendor's registration page before you can schedule or join a session. Offsite video visits cost $8.75 for 25 minutes, and the vendor does not refund sessions interrupted by your internet or connectivity problems. iOS users can join by installing the ICS Mobile app (search "ICSolutions" in the Apple App Store). As with most jail communications, calls, video sessions, and messages are commonly monitored and recorded. Participation rules can be vendor-specific. Before adding funds or booking time, confirm which remote communication options are available and what ID or account setup is required.

Erie County Holding Center accepts money orders for inmate deposits. Make the money order payable to ACCESS SECURE DEPOSITS and mail it with the completed deposit slip to Secure Deposits, Erie County, using the St. Louis lockbox address shown on the deposit form. Money orders must be in U.S. funds. Don't staple, paper-clip, or tape the money order to the slip, and don't send cash. The daily limit for money-order deposits is $2,900.00. Need a faster option? The deposit form lists AccessCorrections as an electronic alternative with service details. The Holding Center also accepts in-person deposits at the cashier window (hours are listed on the form) and processes cash bails 24/7 for city, town, and village courts.