Niagara County Jail – Lockport, NY

Niagara County Jail is located in Niagara County, New York and is the main correctional facility for this region. Do you know somebody locked up at Niagara County Jail? This guide gives you all about anything related to Niagara County Jail: How to do a jail inmate search. Find mugshots. The jail’s phone number and address. Posting bail. Intake procedures. Niagara County court information. And much more…

The chance of going to jail is a scary idea, not only for whoever gets locked up, but also their family, friends, and loved ones. The goal of this guide is to give you information and advice that you need to make helping someone get out of jail a lot easier. If you have a question, just ask it in the comment section below, and also any tips or comments that might be beneficial to others will be welcome.

Do you know someone that is in jail and want to locate them?

Has a family member or friend that’s been arrested and you need to find out what jail they’re in?

In order to see who’s in jail at Niagara County Jail you should click on their web site and do an inmate lookup.

The Niagara County Jail Inmate Locator is an online list of people who were arrested and are now in jail, including custody status, bail amount (if applicable), and schedule for visitation. You can also find the same information about anyone booked or released in the last 24 hours. Prisoners are shown in alphabetical order by their last name. You will be able to find their inmate information quicker if you enter the arrestee’s name, birth date, or inmate ID.

If your friend or family member may be at another jail you will want to look here: New York Jails

A mugshot, also known as a booking photo, is a photograph taken by the police when you get booked into jail. They will take one and a profile photo. Your full name and jail booking number will appear on the mugshot, and they are stored at the jail.

Mugshots of Niagara County Jail prisoners can be searched online, or you can see them at the Niagara County Jail. When viewing online you need to put in their name, and the arrest date, if you have it.

Do you want to get your mugshot taken down from the Niagara County Jail website? This will be difficult, since the mugshot is a public record. To get your mugshot removed you must file a ‘Petition to Expunge’. Basically, this means that your arrest record would be sealed, and unavailable to the public. Depending on your situation, this may be a longshot.

For more information about getting your mugshot removed, the different mugshot websites, and the websites that offer to remove your mugshot for you: How To Remove Your Mugshot from the Internet

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Naturally, once you’re incarcerated, your only thought is about getting out. After you’ve been booked, bail will be determined using the bail schedule or the magistrate will decide it. If there is no bail set this might mean that you will either be free to go until your trial, or you have to stay in jail until your trial.

If you are released from jail you must promise to show up for court, and you will not be permitted to leave the county.

In most cases, a prisoner will be given time off in exchange for good behavior if they don’t break the rules and act right while in jail.

If you prove to be trustworthy, you might be given work release detail. You will be required to return to jail at the end of the day when you’re finished working, or you might be permitted to live in a halfway house when you are not working.

Bail is how much money that you have to pay to get out of jail pending trial. The amount you have to pay all depends on the seriousness of your crime. You or someone you know will have to pay ten percent of the total that was determined so you can get discharged from jail. If you don’t go to court, that person will lose all of the bail money.

To find out how much bail money you will need to bail someone out of jail need to call the jail. If know the person’s information, such as name, address and date of birth, they will tell you how much their bail is. You can also check their bail amount and status on the jail website.

Posting bail to get out of jail is never fun, but most of the time, it’s easy. First, find out if their bail is a “Cash Bond Only”. If so, you can’t use the services of a bondsman. Cash only – the jail can’t take a personal check. As soon as you’ve paid the bail bond, the prisoner will be released. If they don’t violate the terms of their bail, you will get this money back.

If the amount of bail set is large, or you can’t afford it yourself, you should use a bail bondsman. They will generally charge you a fee of 10 to 15 percent of the total amount of bail set by the magistrate, and in most cases charge a minimum fee of $100. The money you pay to the bail bondsman will not be returned to you and the bondsman only accepts cash. If the bail is exceptionally high, the bondsman may require that they use your assets, such as home, property or cars, as collateral in addition to the fee they charge.

To talk to a bail bondsman click here: Bail bondsman

Have you ever had to use a Bail Bondsman for yourself, a family member or friend? If so, please share your experience in a comment below, and let us know how it worked out for you.

Click here to tell about all about it

• Time Off For Good Behavior
• Work Release Programs
• Time Served
• Get Out on a Pre-Trial Release Program
• Get Released on House Arrest
• Own Recognizance

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The intake procedure includes these steps:

• They’ll put you in a holding cell. If there are a lot of arrests, you will have to wait, sometimes for many hours, before you get processed.
• Firstly, you will have to answer a number of questions, like your full legal name, home address, birthdate and a contact person.
• They’ll also ask you about your medical and psychological history.
• You will be given an inmate ID number.
• You will be fingerprinted.
• You will have a front and profile photo taken for your mugshot.
• All of your personal property will be taken from you and stored until you are discharged.
• You will then be allowed to use the phone in order to talk to family, friends, or bail bondsman.
• If you are expected to be released quickly, you might get to wear your street clothes, but if you are not expected to make bail quickly you will be issued a jail uniform – the jumpsuit.

Have you ever been arrested and gone through processing at jail? If so, please tell us what happened. How long did you have to wait? What was your treatment like? Can you tell us things that could help other people that get arrested to get through jail intake?

Click here to post a comment

When you finally post bail, you will be allowed to go home after you get discharged. Getting discharged may take from 15 minutes to all day. In simple terms, the faster you can post bail, the quicker you will be released. How quickly you get discharged might depend on whether you’ve got a cash bond or if a magistrate must decide on the amount of bail to be set. For a minor offense, you will simply be booked and get released without having to post bail. When you get to the end of your sentence and have a discharge date, expect to get released that morning.

In the event there is a, or if you need to begin your sentence in jail, you should follow the law and turn yourself in willingly. In the case of an outstanding warrant, go down to the jail intake center, and tell them that believe that there could be a warrant for your arrest. They will do a record check, and if so, you will be taken into the sheriff’s custody. If you have a jail sentence to serve, go to the jail at the time and date that the sentence order or court paperwork states. Be very careful that you are not late to report. Make sure that you only bring things that are allowed when you go to jail, for example a driver’s license or state issued ID, any prescription medication you might take, along with your doctor’s prescription, and a official sentencing order.

The inmate need to list each visitor’s full name to the jail in advance of the visit. This information will be put into a log of visitors as an Authorized visit. Every visitor will be required to provide a photo ID when visiting. Any visitors showing up late or any visitors that are not approved to visit will be turned away.
Jail visitation policies change often, so double-check the official site before you go.

The only phone calls that inmates are allowed to make are with a pre-paid phone card or account, or are collect calls . Jail phone calls are much more expensive than phone calls made outside of jail. Phone calls are restricted on when and how often you can use the phone, but inmates must keep in mind lots of people want to use the phone – so you have to share. If you break the rules and are disciplined, an inmate’s phone privileges may be limited or cut altogether.

Phone Number: (716) 438-3436

All mall sent to inmates has to be sent using the US Postal Service. You can’t use any other method of mail or package delivery. Clearly print the name, inmate ID, and the jail address on the envelope. Do not mail anything in a box, envelope with padding or insulation, plastic bag, or an envelope containing metal parts. Any mail is opened and examined by the staff, and the mail will be sent back to the person who mailed it if the jail decides it is inappropriate.

Use this address when sending a letter to someone incarcerated at Niagara County Jail:

Niagara County Jail
5526 Niagara Street Ext.
Lockport, NY 14094

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Niagara County Jail
5526 Niagara Street Ext.
Lockport, NY 14094

The inmate mail policy at Niagara County Jail changes, so check the official Niagara County Jail site when send a letter to someone in jail there.

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When you’ve been arrested, you have particular rights, and an important one is that you have the right to request an attorney. You are only allowed to make so many phone calls in jail, so it is important to ask a friend or family member to locate a lawyer for you. You’re probably asking yourself ‘but do I really need an attorney’ You’re not required to have an attorney in all cases, a criminal attorney will make sure you know your rights, help protect your interests and guide you through the court system in your county. The quicker you get an attorney working on your situation, the better off you’ll be.

For more information about how to find an attorney, go to: How to Find an Attorney

If you need an attorney, but can’t afford a lawyer, you will be given a public defender for a lawyer. Also, the Public Defender is staffed by investigators, crime scene and forensics experts as well as social workers. You will be reassured to know that Public Defenders are bona-fide attorneys that are members of the State Bar and are legally licensed to handle your case.

Have you or someone you know had to use a Public Defender? Do you think that they did a good job of defending you?

Niagara County court records are a matter of public record. Court records are comprised of a file with a sheet called a docket sheet and each of the documents that have been filed in your case. You have the ability to access the records and documents in your court case with the online service, or at the Niagara County Clerk of Court.

The Clerk of Court is a member of the court that manages court records. They also administer the oath for any court participant who must be under oath, and read the court verdict when the jury has finished deliberations. All records, documents, and evidence associated with your court case are held at the office of the Clerk of Court.

Court fees and costs are the fees and charges associated with your case, for example filing charges, motion and claim fees, and court appearance fees. If you cannot afford these fees and have a Public Defender, you can get a waiver for these fees and won’t have to pay them.

The Niagara County magistrate acts as the judge that presides over your court case. Magistrates are judges that do different tasks, such as setting your bail amount, writing arrest warrants, and overseeing preliminary court appearances and detention proceedings.

Your pre-sentencing report is prepared with the defendant’s background information and information about the defendant’s life, which the judge will review when deciding on the sentence. Information and personal details will be requested from the defendant, the defendant’s family, and, if applicable, the victim of the crime. Don’t forget that you should request to receive your own copy of your pre-sentencing report before you are sentenced, and make sure that you correct any inaccurate information.

After you are convicted of a crime, you will be sentenced. There are several different options for sentencing, including community service and probation, to prison or jail time. Depending on how serious your crime was, you could be taken into custody, right there in court, or you could get a date to surrender and report to jail to serve your term.

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Are you trying to find out if a family member or friend is incarcerated, or has ever been locked up?

To do so, just access the Niagara County jail website, and search using:

• Name.
• Birthdate.
• Their booking date.
• or inmate ID.

If you think that they are currently in jail, you can call the jail confirm whether they’ve been arrested or not.

If you think you might have a warrant out for your arrest, you can check arrest warrants on the website or you can call the jail directly. You have to have the person’s first and last name. You can also go to the local jail and ask the officer in charge. You should know that if you do have an outstanding warrant, you should be prepared to get taken into custody immediately.

If you know the person’s name, as well as the date of their arrest, contact the jail, on the phone, in person, or find out online. Arrest records are a matter of public record and this information is accessible to anyone.

A Civil Process is when you get served with legal papers, like , subpoenas, and arrest warrants. You can access civil process orders by contacting the Niagara County Sheriff’s office, on their website or by phone.

All people registered as sex offenders must be registered on either a national or state sex offender database. The people listed on these databases have been convicted in a court of law of a sex offense. You can access this information online, but you should know that you will not see the exact address, but only the neighborhood block they live on.

Court Records are public, and are accessible by anyone. Court Records include a case file containing a court docket and any of the documents filed in the case. You are able to access your court records via the internet, or at the Niagara County Clerk of Court in the county where the case was filed.

Each state keeps a record of people’s criminal background. These databases are all linked so you can track criminal histories from other states. You can go to county courthouse and check in person or you can check the website. It helps to know the county, and if it was in a completely different state, you might have to pay a fee for a more complete search.

A criminal history search you are able to get a report detailing any arrests, charges, or convictions that may be on a person’s record for crimes, which include:

• DWI or DUI.
• Drug offenses.
• Kidnapping.
• Sex offenses which could include rape, and sexual assault.
• Violent crimes including assault, battery and murder.
• Theft, breaking and entering.

If you do a criminal records check, you will not learn if they have had any:

• Speeding tickets.
• Drivers license revoked or suspended.
• Any accidents.
• Other moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

To search for driving histories, you will have to do a search for their driving record.

Have you ever had to search for criminal records of someone you know? Was it a difficult process? Did you do your search online or did you have to make a phone call to the local courthouse? Was the information you received correct? There are lots of reasons that people look up criminal records and backgrounds, and your account may help other people.

Speak Your Mind

Most Wanted

The FBI maintains a list of the Ten Most Wanted Criminals. In Niagara County,The Sheriff’s Department keeps their own list of most wanted criminals and fugitives.

FBI Ten Most Wanted List: Link


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

While the prospect of spending time in Niagara County Jail is quite unpleasant, you will soon become accustomed to the routine that is set for you in jail. All inmates get an alarm to wake up every morning at 6:00AM, and next you’ll have roll call. Next, you will eat breakfast. When you finish eating breakfast you will be required to work in the work program that you’ve been assigned to. This could be working in the kitchen, laundry, or some sort of manufacturing job. While this may seem tedious, it may help you when you leave jail, as you are gaining experience in a certain field of work. Other inmates go to school, while some take part in mandated treatment programs. After lunch, there will be another roll call, then back to work. Your evening will be spent either in your cell or a common room. During this time dinner is served and you will be expected to take a shower. After another roll call, it’s lights out. Even though you will be confined to your cell, there may be enough light to read or write letters. Then again, most inmates welcome lights out, and try to get as much sleep as they can.

Most people are frightened at the idea of jail because they don’t know what to expect. If you have spent any time in Niagara County Jail, your experiences would be welcomed, if it can help another person to deal with it.

Dress Code

When incarcerated, all inmates are expected to wear the Niagara County Jail uniform. This is normally a jumpsuit or scrubs. Of note to anyone visiting an inmate – you must be properly dressed. Any clothing considered inappropriate will not be permitted.

How To Send Money to an Inmate

You will have your own ‘bank account’ while in jail. This money is used to purchase items from the Commissary. Family and friends can deposit money into this account for you, and any money you earn while in prison will also be deposited into your account. Outside money can be paid in to your account via a money order, cash or check. If someone sends a check or money order, make sure that they write your inmate ID on it. The maximum amount you are allowed in your account is $290 per month.

The rules for sending funds to inmates at Niagara County Jail can change, so be sure to double check the official website before you send money to an inmate there.


Commissary

The commissary is the jail store. You can purchase a number of things here, such as toiletries, snacks and writing supplies. Bear in mind that you will probably want to use the commissary daily, and any infractions will get that privilege taken away from you.

Inmate Medications

If you are on any type of prescription medication, you will be allowed to continue taking it while in jail. When you are first processed, you will be asked what medication you take. You will then be referred to the jail nurse or doctor who will be in charge of monitoring your health and prescribing your medication.

Meals

You will get three meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. As expected, they are very basic, but healthy. A typical breakfast might be cereal, toast, coffee and fruit. Lunch might be spaghetti, salad, bread and milk. Dinner could be chicken casserole, rice, vegetables, dessert and milk. Contrary to popular belief, prison food has greatly improved over the years, and you might find that it’s not much different from what you would eat at home.

Pods / The Yard

The jail is designed in a ‘pod’ layout, with self-contained housing arranged around an outdoor yard. Each pod has a central control station and a common room, and the inmates take turns in using the yard. The jail is designed this way to keep certain inmates together, and others away from the general population.

Gangs

As with life in general, gangs are a part of prison life. Obviously it is best to avoid becoming a part of this environment as it will only lead to trouble. When you first enter prison, you might find yourself being ‘primed’ to join a gang, or worse, you might get their attention in a negative way. The best thing to do is keep your head down and don’t get involved.


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News and Media

News

Photos / Pictures

Videos


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Jobs

Types of Jobs at Niagara County Jail

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Niagara County Jail, overseeing the day to day operations and administration of the jail. An inmate is unlikely to have much interaction with the Deputy Sheriff, unless they have committed an infraction. Detention Officers are responsible for the custody and care of the inmates. They maintain order in the jail, and handle security. A Detention Officer is assigned to a certain pod, and therefore is responsible for the same inmates each day. They get to know the inmates on a certain level and are well equipped to handle any problems that may occur.

Apply for a Job at Niagara County Jail

Requirements:

• You have to be over the age of 21.
• You have to possess a High School Diploma or GED
• You have to be a US Citizen.
• You have to pass a Criminal, Credit and Driving History background check.
• You have to pass a drug test.
• You have to have a good level of fitness.
• You have to be in good health.
• You have to have a valid Driver’s License
• An applicant for Deputy Sheriff must possess a Law Enforcement Certification.


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Family Resources

There are resources for families of both the perpetrator of the crime and the victim. The social and emotional impact of crime is far reaching, affecting many. Families can receive professional counseling, court related assistance, social services assistance and help in navigating the criminal justice system.

If you are a family member, which resources did you find to be particularly helpful? Please let us know, as this will be helpful to other families in the same situation.

Click here to comment


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Victim Resources

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.

Victim’s Rights

The Victim Rights Act grants victims the following rights:

• Victims have the right to protection from the accused.
• Victims have the right to notification.
• Victims have the right to attend proceedings.
• Victims have the right to speak at criminal justice proceedings.
• Victims have the right to consult with the prosecuting attorney.
• Victims have the right to restitution.
• Victims have the right to a speedy trial.
• Victims have the right to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect.

The definition of victim includes:

• Spouses and children of all victims.
• Parents and guardians of minor victims.
• Parents, guardians and siblings of mentally or physically incapacitated victims or victims of homicide.
• Foster parents or other caregivers, under certain circumstances.

There are a number of services and programs designed to help victims and their families. You can find out about these services by contacting the courthouse, or local law enforcement agency.

Victim Notification

The Department of Justice Victim Notification System (VNS) is a system that provides victims with information pertaining to their case and/or any defendants in the case. You will receive a Victim Identification Number (VIN) and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) that will allow you to access VNS via the internet or by phone. Here, you will find information about future court hearings, historical court events, and detailed information about the defendant. This will include criminal charges filed, the outcome of charges, sentence imposed, custody location, projected release date and any other release information. The VNS website is updated daily. You will also receive any ongoing information by mail or email.

Have you, a family member or friend ever used the Victim Notification System? If so, was it effective? Did you get the information in a timely manner? Was the system difficult to use? We would like to hear from you, so please post any comments here.

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Sex Offender Information and Search

All people registered as sex offenders are registered on either a national or state sex offender database. The people on these databases have been convicted of a sex or kidnapping crime. You can access this information online, but bear in mind that you will not get the exact address, rather the block that they live on.

Domestic Violence

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, there are services to help you. Your county will have a Domestic Violence Services office. They provide free and confidential services, such as emergency shelter information, legal advocacy, support groups and domestic violence education. They will work to help you create a safe and violence-free life, and heal from the trauma of abuse.

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.


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Reviews

Reviews of this Jail

Have you ever been an inmate at this jail? Do you know someone that is a prisoner there? Have you ever visited an inmate at Niagara County Jail?

If you have, then you should write a review about it. Write about your jail experience because others can find out what to expect.

Things you might want to write in what you write:

• Conditions in Niagara County Jail.
• Jail and pod layout and facility
• Staff and guards
• Food and commissary
• Visitation
• Inmates.
• Safety
• Gang activity
• Activities and programs


Click here to review Niagara County Jail

Tell Your Story

Everbody that’s been incarcerated has some stories to tell about the whole experience. Why were you locked up? Were you mistreated? How was life in jail? Were the other inmates cool? How did getting locked up affect your life?

Tell Your Story

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Make some good friends in jail? Do you want to reconnect with a person you met in jail? Then send them a message by posting a comment below.

Send a message to someone at Niagara County Jail


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