Erie County Prison

Visitation at Erie County Prison runs by housing pod—each pod has its own weekly visiting day. Before you go, confirm which pod your loved one is in and check the pod-to-day schedule. Here's the catch: the inmate must sign the pod visiting list for that date, or your visit can be denied. Visit lengths vary by unit. Most pods use 20-minute slots. F‑Pod has two 20-minute slots. Restrictive housing works differently with a single 30-minute slot. Some pods (like A‑Pod and B‑Pod) have separate windows for RHU/administrative segregation, special-visit appointments, and general population hours—check unit-specific times before heading out. RHU or administrative-segregation special visits require an appointment, including a Tuesday appointment window. Rules for children are strict: a parent or legal guardian can bring up to two minors with proof of guardianship. Kids over age two need their own time slot.

Erie County Prison uses SmartJailMail for phone sessions, video visits, and e-messaging. To connect with someone inside, you'll create an account with the vendor, complete identity verification, request to connect with the person you want to reach, and wait for facility approval. Some services require prepayment or vendor credits, and transactions follow the vendor's payment and refund policies. Keep in mind that remote communications—including video and phone sessions—are typically monitored. Running into technical problems or issues with deposits? The facility lists support numbers: Jail ATM at 1-870-627-5476 and Oasis web order support at 1-800-956-2747.

Erie County Prison no longer accepts personal mail at its Ash Street address. For personal letters, the prison's website lists Smart Communications with example formatting that routes mail to a Seminole, Florida PO Box for processing. Some exceptions apply: county (in-house) mail, legal mail, approved publications, and money orders may still go to the Ash Street location. A note on older guidance: a 2019 county memo (effective 3/18/19) previously routed personal mail to PO Box 951 in Lebanon, Missouri, and stated money orders should be sent to the Mailroom at Erie County Prison at the printed "1618 Sash Street." Always check the facility's current mailing policy for the latest instructions. Include the person's full name, booking/ID number, and your complete return address on everything you send.

Erie County Prison handles inmate deposits through Tech Friends, Inc. using JailATM (www.jailatm.com). You can add funds online or at a lobby kiosk—just follow the prompts and have the inmate's name and booking/ID number ready. Fees depend on how you pay: cash kiosk deposits cost $4.00, credit-card deposits up to $32.50 cost $3.25, and credit-card deposits of $32.51 or more are charged 10%. Want to send more than money? Trinity TakeOut offers "Fresh from the kitchen" meals, and Oasis provides inmate care packages. Deposited funds cover commissary purchases, phone and tablet use, and similar expenses. You'll get a receipt or account statement showing activity.