BUFFALO (AP) - The New York state Commission of Correction is suing the Erie County sheriff over conditions at the county holding center in Buffalo.

The commission says that, despite the state's offers to help, the county has refused to fix long-standing problems - ranging from failing to provide inmates with reasonable access to a toilet to denials of due process.

Correction Commission Chairman Thomas Beilein said Tuesday that the complaints, outlined in a state Supreme Court lawsuit, undermine safety and expose the county to civil-rights actions. The suit asks a judge to compel the county to comply with standards set by law.

A call to Erie County Sheriff Timothy Howard was not returned by deadline. The Erie County attorney's office referred calls to Howard.