What to Know About Albany County Correctional Facility: Size, capacity, and population

Albany County Correctional Facility has a maximum capacity of 866 beds. That's the upper limit the facility is built to hold, and it gives you a sense of the jail's overall scale.

The facility has 345 staff members, including sworn officers and civilians. These employees handle everything from security and supervision to the administrative work behind visits, mail, and release processing.

Over the past year, the county reports more than 2,200 prisoners were admitted. Admissions reflect how many people cycle through the jail over time, not just how many are inside on any given day.

Albany County Correctional Facility holds local, state, and federal prisoners. This mix matters for families: a person's case and custody type can affect timelines and the processes you'll encounter when trying to get information.

The facility sits on Albany Shaker Road in the Town of Colonie. If you're planning a visit or coordinating drop-offs, knowing the location helps you estimate travel time.

The county says the facility was built in 1931. That gives you some context for the building itself, especially if you're wondering how the layout compares to newer jails.

Over the past year, Albany County reports an average daily population exceeding 450 inmates. This figure is a useful reality check: it shows what the facility typically holds day to day, not a one-time high or low.

These numbers help you set realistic expectations. Maximum bed capacity tells you the facility's size. Average daily population shows how full it tends to be in practice. Annual admissions reveal how much movement there is, which affects how quickly paperwork gets processed and how busy routine services feel for someone inside. Staffing levels matter for families, too. A jail runs on people. Even when things are well organized, higher activity can mean longer waits for non-emergency requests, more time between updates, and extra steps when you're trying to confirm something simple (like where a person is housed or what the current procedure is). The most useful takeaway? Use the published figures as context, then verify day-to-day details directly before making plans.

1. Start with official Albany County Sheriff corrections information: Look for the most current operational updates, since published staffing and population figures are often reported as snapshots.
2. Call before you travel: Ask for the current visiting process and any same-day requirements (check-in timing, ID expectations, and whether anything has changed).
3. Be specific about what you need: If you’re trying to solve a problem, name the exact issue (for example, confirming a person is in custody, checking if they can receive mail yet, or clarifying what happens after a court date).
4. Write down what you’re told: Note the date, the time, and the name or title of the staff member you spoke with. It helps if you need to follow up later.