Jail Bureau
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| Bail | Weekend Work Detail |
| Visitation | Inmate Outgoing Phone System |
| General Questions | Incoming Mail |
| Community Service/Victim Assistance | |
| VINE (Victim Information Notification Everyday) | |
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| The Jail Bureau of the Sheriff’s Office has the responsibility of meeting the Department’s Mission concerning the corrections function. The functions of the Jail Bureau include: proper care, custody, treatment, supervision, discipline and correctional programs for all persons committed to the custody of the Sheriff; assure compliance with the laws, codes, rules and regulations for the operation and management of the County Jail; create conditions and opportunities for inmates to increase their abilities to function in society as productive, law-abiding citizens. County Law, Article 17, Section 650, acknowledges the Sheriff as an Officer of the Court; Correction Law, Article 20, Section 500C, designates the Sheriff as custodian of the County Jail. The Correction Law further states that the Sheriff shall receive and safely keep all persons lawfully committed to his custody for safekeeping, examination or trial, or as a witness, committed or sentenced to imprisonment, or committed for contempt. The benefactors of the activities of the Jail Bureau are the inmates themselves, as well as the general public. |
| The Genesee County Jail was built in 1985 and has an authorized capacity of 87 prisoners. The jail staff consists of twenty-one (21) correction officers, four (4) first- line supervisors, one (1) full-time cook, three (3) part-time cooks, one (1) jail nurse, one (1) clerical person, and one (1) jail superintendent. The Sheriff has the overall responsibility and accountability for the administration and operation of the jail. |  |
The New York State Commission of Correction oversees correctional facilities within New York State, including the Genesee County Jail, by establishing Minimum Standards for the care, custody, correctional treatment, supervision, discipline and other correctional programs for all persons confined. The Minimum Standards promulgated by the State Commission of Correction addresses areas such as food services, visitation, religion, exercise, legal services, grievance programs and health services, to name a few. The Commission visits and inspects the jail to ensure compliance with the Minimum Standards.
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The Genesee County Jail administers an "Education for Incarcerated Youth Program" which allows youthful inmates to continue their education and obtain a G.E.D. The Program also has a transition counselor who assists pre-discharged inmates in maintaining their education and assists them in finding employment. |
The Genesee County Jail also offers numerous spiritual programs for inmates of various denominations. Anyone interested in employment at the Genesee County Jail should contact the Genesee County Human Resources Office at 344-2550, Ext. 2220. A civil service examination is required.
Visitation
Each inmate is limited to two hours of visitation per week. Visits by appointment with 24-hour notice is strongly recommended, but not required. No telephone visiting will be accepted without 24-hour notice, except for an initial visit. Walk-in visitors will be allowed on a first come, first serve basis, depending upon available visitation slots and the inmate's allotted remaining visiting time.
Saturday Thru Thursday
12:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday
12:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
*There are No visits on Sundays and on certain Holidays*
This is subject to change, as conditions require.
| Visitation may be scheduled as follows: | |
| 1. Four | 30 minute periods |
| 2. Two | 60 minute periods |
| 3. One | 1 hour & 30 min. period + (1) 30 min. |
| 4. One | two hour period |
****All visitation is dependant upon time slot availability****
An inmate may have a visit within the first twenty-four hours of incarceration, based upon availability of time slot.
Inmate Outgoing Phone System
Each inmate has a telephone available to them from 7:00 A.M. until 11:00 P.M.daily. If you are experiencing difficulty with receiving calls from an inmate you should check with your telephone company.
Bail
Cash bail can be posted at the Genesee County Jail, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Photo identification is required when posting bail. Bail Bondsmen can be located in the yellow pages of your telephone directory.
Note: The return of bail money is handled by the presiding court, all bail money collected at the Genesee County Jail is forwarded to the appropriate court.
Bail can also be posted using a credit card, (Discover, VISA, MasterCard, or American Express). Credit Card transactions are processed through a third party provider. Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards are accepted. A non-refundable fee for service will be added to the total bail amount. The credit card holder must be present at the facility with a valid photo ID to complete the transaction.
Incoming Mail
Only U.S. Postal Service mail will be accepted for inmates in the Genesee County Jail. Please address all mail for Inmates to:
(Inmate's Complete Name)
P.O.box 151
Batavia, NY 14021-0151
All incoming mail received at the Genesee County Jail is logged when received and inspected for any type of contraband. The attempt to transfer contraband through the mail will result in filing of criminal charges against those responsible. In general basic letter or typing paper is permitted. Mail containing STICKERS, STAPLES, PAPERCLIPS, WHITE-OUT, HEAVY CRAYON, OR TAPE ON THE PAPER OR ENVELOPES will not be accepted. All address labels and stamps will be removed by the officer inspecting the mail. All return addresses must include complete first and last name of the sender.
What if the mail I send did not arrive?
Please have the inmate check with an officer to see if the mail was logged as entering into the facility. If the mail has not been logged in please contact the postal service and request a "trace" be placed on that particular piece of mail.
What if an inmate leaves before the mail gets there?
All mail received for non-inmates will be "returned to sender", provided that a complete and readable return address is visible.
What else can be sent thru the mail?
Money Orders in the inmate's name, NO food, NO clothes, NO bookmarks or plastic cards, NO smelly paper, NO phone cards. You should always be cautious sending cash money thru the mail.
**RULE OF THUMB "if you are not sure, then DON'T SEND it"**
Is there a limit as to the amount of incoming mail?
NO, we do encourage correspondence.
Can I drop off a note or letter to the Jail?
NO, all mail, letters, notes must be received though the U.S. Mail.
Common Asked Questions
How many people can visit an inmate during the scheduled time?
Three (3) this includes children and infants.
Is there an age limit to visit an inmate?
Yes - NYS Minimum Standards for Local Correctional Facilities states that ONLY persons 18 years of age or older may visit an inmate within a facility. Should a person under 18 years of age wish to visit an inmate they MUST be accompanied by their Parent or Legal Guardian (court appointed with paperwork presented before visit). The parent or legal guardian must also remain during the entire visitation with the underage person, NO EXCEPTIONS.
What kind of ID is allowed or required to visit an Inmate?
You MUST produce at each and every appointment a valid picture ID with your correct date of birth on it. Preferably a State Driver's License or Identification Card (available at NYS DMV for a minimal fee) -OR- a Valid picture ID with Birth Certificate.
How are visitation appointments made?
Either in person by request to the jail officer working the control room- OR- by calling (585) 343-0838. Please have the names of all the individuals that are planning on visiting, a daytime phone number and some idea of what day/time. Please avoid calling between 6:45 am - 7:15 am, 2:45 pm - 3:15 pm, 10:45 pm - 11 pm.
When are you able to schedule an appointment for the next week?
As a general rule of thumb - the next week will be available by the Wednesday prior to Saturday for that beginning week.
Can you tell me who has already booked the visits?
NO - we do not inform any visitors about an inmate's currently booked visits, ONLY the inmate may request access to this information.
Can we switch a visit or the visitors?
You can ONLY switch a visit by notifying the jail at least 24 hours in advance. Wwitching is based upon availability of day/time. There is to be no substitution of visitors unless the jail has been notified 24 hours in advance. NOTE: individuals who are on Parole or Probation must receive permission, in writing, from their current supervising officer, before any visits can be made.
What is allowed inside the visitation area?
NO hats, bandannas, jackets, food, drinks, gum or candy, and no overly provacative clothing. The jail does provide lockers and plastic containers to secure items. Each visitor is subject to search. You are basically allowed to wear your clothes and nothing in your pockets.
What can happen to me if I bring in contraband?
Contraband is anything that is not specifically allowed within the facility. If you attempt to bring contraband into the Genesee County Jail, you will become the subject of a formal investigation, whereby criminal charges may be filed.
Am I allowed to touch the Inmate?
We of course understand the need for physical contact with your friends and family members, therefore the jail has developed a policy whereby at the beginning and end of each visit you may embrace briefly. There is to be no other contact other than this. Children and infants MUST remain on the visitor side of the room and under your immediate supervision.
What can we bring in for an inmate within the facility?
The jail currently has a commissary program, whereby inmates are allowed to place an order for extra food, toiletry items, cards, letters, paper, pens, stamps etc. Each inmate is allowed to place an order on every Tuesday up to $50.00 worth of items for delivery on Thursday. This means that cash or money orders are accepted and placed into each individual inmate's account. Inmates may also receive, in combination, a total of (5) small soft cover books, today or yesterdays newspapers, magazines, with the exception of any that contain sexual penetration, guns, drugs, and self-defense. (or any deemed inappropriate by the Officer in Charge) Inmates may also receive in total (5) family pictures, NO POLAROIDS, NO PORTRAIT PHOTOS OVER 4X6 in size, NO PHOTOS WITH ANY SEXUAL PENETRATION.
How long will it be before the inmate receives the items?
In general all items will be received as soon as possible -OR- by the end of that current shift. Each item must be inspected first for any contraband.
Female Inmates
I know a female inmate, where is she and how can I see her?
The Genesee County Jail does NOT house female inmates. They are housed at:
Orleans County Jail
26 Platt Street,
Albion, NY 14411.
For visit information call (716) 589-4310. To post bail come to the Genesee County Jail.
An inmate may received white underwear, socks and tee shirts from an outside source as long as they are dropped off at the jail in the original unopened package.
