Access Amherst Released Inmates
Amherst released inmates records are tracked through the Erie County Sheriff's Office and the New York State DOCCS system. Amherst is a large town just north of Buffalo with around 129,000 residents, making it one of the biggest suburbs in western New York. People arrested in Amherst go to Erie County facilities for booking and holding. The county runs two jails and publishes a daily inmate roster online. State databases cover anyone who went to prison. These records are public and you can search them at no cost.
Amherst Overview
Erie County Handles Amherst Released Inmates
Amherst is in Erie County. The Erie County Sheriff's Office manages all jail operations for the county. That includes two facilities: the Erie County Holding Center in downtown Buffalo and the Erie County Correctional Facility in Alden. People arrested in Amherst typically go to one of these two locations.
New York Correction Law places the sheriff in charge of county jails. The sheriff maintains all custody records, processes releases, and manages inmate transfers. When someone posts bail, completes a sentence, or gets released by court order, the sheriff's office handles the paperwork.
For full details on Erie County's inmate tracking and release process, see the county page.
Erie County Released Inmates Facilities
Erie County has two correctional facilities. The Holding Center in Buffalo handles initial bookings and higher-security inmates. The Correctional Facility in Alden holds people classified as lower risk and those serving shorter sentences.
| Facility 1 | Erie County Holding Center |
|---|---|
| Address | 40 Delaware Ave Buffalo, NY 14202 |
| Phone | (716) 858-7636 |
| Facility 2 | Erie County Correctional Facility |
| Address | 11581 Walden Ave Alden, NY 14004 |
| Phone | (716) 937-9100 |
| Website | Erie County Jail Management |
Erie County publishes a daily inmate roster in PDF format. You can view it at erie.gov. The list shows who is currently in custody. If someone is not on the list, they may have been released, transferred, or bonded out. The roster updates regularly on weekdays.
The Holding Center is about 20 minutes south of Amherst in downtown Buffalo. The Alden facility is roughly 30 minutes east. Which facility holds a given person depends on their classification and the nature of their charges.
How to Search Released Inmates in Amherst
Finding released inmates connected to Amherst involves checking both county and state databases. Each covers a different part of the system.
The Erie County inmate roster is the best local tool. Check the PDF to see if the person is still in custody. If they are not on the list, they may have been released. The roster does not show release dates, so you would need to call the Holding Center at (716) 858-7636 for that detail.
The DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup covers the state prison system. Search by name to see if someone is in state custody. The Parolee Lookup shows people released from prison who are on parole supervision. Both are free and open to the public.
The Criminal History Record Search pulls court records from across New York. You can find cases from Erie County courts here. It shows charges, convictions, and sentences. Court records are generally public under New York Judiciary Law.
Check the Sex Offender Registry for people convicted of qualifying offenses. New York Correction Law Article 6-C requires registration. The database shows photos, addresses, and offense information.
Released Inmates Alerts Through VINE
VINE sends you a notification when an inmate is released. It is free and covers both county jails and state prisons in New York.
Visit vinelink.com and select New York. Search for the person. Once you find the correct record, register for alerts by phone, email, or text. The system contacts you the moment custody status changes. This includes release, transfer, and escape.
VINE works with all 62 New York counties and every state prison. If someone leaves Erie County custody or a state facility, you will be notified automatically and right away.
You do not need to give a reason for signing up. There is no fee. VINE is operated by Appriss Safety and connects to jail and prison systems in real time across New York.
Released Inmates FOIL Records Requests
Under Public Officers Law Article 6, you can request inmate records from government agencies through FOIL. File your request with the Erie County Sheriff for county jail records. This can include booking details, release dates, and charges.
The sheriff's office has five business days to respond or give you a timeline for when records will be ready. There may be a fee for copies. Some information may be redacted under privacy exemptions, but basic custody data is typically released.
For state prison records, file a FOIL request with DOCCS. Historical records are at the New York State Archives. Federal inmate data is available through the Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.
When filing a FOIL request, be specific about what you want. Include the person's full name, date of birth if you know it, and the type of records you need. A clear, focused request gets processed faster than a vague one. The agency can charge a fee per page for copies, so ask about costs up front if that matters to you.
Erie County Released Inmates and Jail
The Erie County Sheriff's jail management page provides links to the inmate roster PDF and facility information. This is the main local starting point for checking custody status of people held in the Amherst area.
Nearby Cities
Amherst borders several other communities in Erie County. They all use the same county jail system and courts.
Buffalo is directly to the south and is the county seat. Cheektowaga sits to the southeast, and Tonawanda is just to the west. All three share the Erie County Holding Center and Correctional Facility for jail operations.