Jails & Correctional Facilities in Phoenix, Arizona
Find all 16 facilities in Phoenix. Directions, nearby hotels, visiting tips, and facility contact information for families.
Overview
Phoenix, Arizona has 16 correctional facilities: 9 jails, 4 state prisons, 2 federal facilities, 1 other facility. This page provides visiting information, inmate lookup resources, and contact details for every facility in Phoenix.
Phoenix's correctional facilities are operated by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO), which runs one of the largest county jail systems in the United States. The main facilities include the 4th Avenue Jail (the primary intake and booking facility in downtown Phoenix), Estrella Jail, Towers Jail, and Lower Buckeye Jail. Phoenix also hosts several Arizona Department of Corrections facilities and federal facilities in the greater metropolitan area.
All Facilities in Phoenix
Rrm Phoenix
Durango Juvenile Detention Facility
Maricopa County Jail - 4Th Avenue Jail
Maricopa County Jail - Durango Jail
Maricopa County Jail - Estrella Jail
Maricopa County Jail - First Avenue Jail
Maricopa County Jail - Lower Buckeye Jail
Maricopa County Jail - Madison Street Jail
Maricopa County Jail - Tent City Jail
Maricopa County Jail - Towers Jail
Aspc-Phoenix
Aspc-Phoenix West
Az Juvenile Corrections - Adobe Mt School
Fci Phoenix
Fci Phoenix Camp
Maricopa Reentry Center
Visiting Phoenix? What Families Need to Know
If you're traveling to Phoenix, Arizona to visit someone at a correctional facility, this section covers everything you need to plan your trip — from getting there to finding affordable lodging nearby.
Getting There
By Car
Get driving directions to Phoenix via Google Maps. Most correctional facilities have free parking lots — arrive early as spaces fill up during peak visiting hours.
By Air
Search for flights on Google Flights. Budget airlines like Southwest, Frontier, and Spirit often have the lowest fares. Many facility towns are rural — you may need to fly into the nearest major city and rent a car or take a shuttle.
Where to Stay
Many families visiting correctional facilities need affordable lodging, especially for early morning visit check-ins. Here are tools to find budget-friendly options near Phoenix:
Tips for Families
- Book near the facility — Many visit check-ins start at 7:00 or 8:00 AM. Staying close means less stress on visit day.
- Look for extended stay hotels — If you're visiting regularly, extended stay properties (Extended Stay America, WoodSpring Suites, InTown Suites) offer weekly rates that save significantly.
- Check cancellation policies — Visits can be cancelled due to facility lockdowns. Book hotels with free cancellation when possible.
- Consider motels on major highways — National chains like Motel 6, Super 8, and Red Roof Inn offer consistent, affordable rates.
- Rural facility towns may lack hotels — If Phoenix is a small town, check nearby larger cities for more lodging options. A 20–30 minute drive is common for families visiting rural facilities.
Where to Eat
Plan Around Visit Schedules
- Eat before you arrive — Visiting hours are limited and check-in takes time. Have a full meal before heading to the facility.
- Vending machines inside — Most visiting areas have vending machines (coins or debit cards), but selection varies. Don't rely on them for a meal.
- Bring snacks for the road — Pack snacks and water, especially if traveling with children. No outside food is allowed inside facilities.
- Fast food is usually nearby — Chain restaurants along major roads near facilities are convenient for a quick meal before or after your visit.
- Hotels with free breakfast — If staying overnight, look for hotels that include breakfast to save on meal costs.
Visiting Tips
Arrive Early
Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled visit. Check-in, ID verification, and security screening take time. Late arrivals may be turned away.
Bring Only Essentials
Leave everything in your car except your government-issued photo ID and car keys. No phones, purses, bags, or wallets are allowed inside. Some facilities offer lockers.
Dress Code
Dress code rules are strictly enforced. Avoid revealing clothing, open-toed shoes, and anything resembling inmate uniforms. When in doubt, wear plain, modest clothing.
Know the Rules
Every facility has different visiting rules. Check the facility pages listed above for specific visiting hours, approved visitor requirements, and ID policies.
Visitor Approval
State prisons and federal facilities require visitors to be pre-approved. This process can take 2–6 weeks. Contact the facility well in advance of your planned visit.
Prepare for Security
You will pass through a metal detector and may be searched. Avoid belts with large buckles, excessive jewelry, or underwire bras if possible.
Staying in Touch Between Visits
Visiting in person isn't always possible. Here are the ways families stay connected with loved ones in Phoenix facilities between visits:
Phone Calls
Inmates can make collect or prepaid calls through the facility's phone provider (often Securus or GTL). Calls are typically 15 minutes and cost $0.14–$0.25/minute for local calls. Set up a prepaid account to save on per-call fees.
Video Visits
Many facilities offer video visitation through tablets or kiosks. Services like JPay, GTL, and Securus allow scheduled video calls from home. Availability and cost vary by facility — check each facility's page for details.
Email & Messaging
Electronic messaging through JPay or GTL's GettingOut allows you to send text messages and photos. Messages cost $0.25–$0.50 each. All messages are monitored and may take 24–48 hours to be reviewed before delivery.
Postal Mail
All facilities accept postal mail. Write the inmate's full legal name and ID number on the envelope. Letters must be on plain white paper — no stickers, drawings, perfume, or Polaroid photos. Some facilities now require mail through services like TextBehind.
Local Resources
- Maricopa County Facilities — View all facilities in the county
- All Arizona Facilities — Browse 92 facilities statewide
- How to Visit Someone in Jail — Complete visiting guide
- How to Find Someone in Jail — Inmate lookup guide
- How Bail Bonds Work — Understanding bail, bonds, and release
Visiting Information
Maricopa County Jail Visiting
All visits to Maricopa County jails must be scheduled through the Securus Video Visitation system. In-person visits have largely been replaced by video visits at most MCSO facilities.
Video visitation is available at kiosks inside the jail lobby or remotely from home through the Securus app. Remote video visits cost approximately $8.99 for 20 minutes. Lobby kiosk visits are free but must be scheduled in advance.
Valid government-issued photo ID is required for all visitors. No personal items, phones, or bags are permitted in visiting areas.
Inmate Search & Lookup
Maricopa County Inmate Lookup
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office provides a free online inmate search at mcso.org. You can search by name, booking number, or case number for inmates at all MCSO facilities in the Phoenix area.
For Arizona state prison inmates, use the Arizona DOC Inmate Search.
County Jails in Phoenix
Phoenix has 9 county jails operated by the county sheriff's office. County jails hold people who are awaiting trial, serving sentences of typically one year or less, or who have been recently arrested and are awaiting bail hearings.
| Durango Juvenile Detention Facility | (602) 506-4011 |
| Maricopa County Jail - 4Th Avenue Jail | (602) 876-0322 |
| Maricopa County Jail - Durango Jail | (602) 876-0322 |
| Maricopa County Jail - Estrella Jail | (602) 876-0322 |
| Maricopa County Jail - First Avenue Jail | — |
| Maricopa County Jail - Lower Buckeye Jail | (602) 876-0322 |
| Maricopa County Jail - Madison Street Jail | — |
| Maricopa County Jail - Tent City Jail | (602) 876-5551 |
| Maricopa County Jail - Towers Jail | (602) 876-0322 |
State Prisons in Phoenix
Phoenix has 4 state prisons operated by the Arizona Department of Corrections. State prisons house inmates serving sentences longer than one year for felony convictions.
| Aspc-Phoenix | (602) 685-3100 |
| Aspc-Phoenix West | (602) 352-0350 |
| Az Juvenile Corrections - Adobe Mt School | (623) 869-9050 |
| Maricopa Reentry Center | (623) 474-1500 |
Federal Facilities in Phoenix
Phoenix has 2 federal facilities operated by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP). Federal prisons house individuals convicted of federal crimes. The BOP classifies facilities by security level: minimum, low, medium, high, and administrative.
| Fci Phoenix | (623) 465-9757 |
| Fci Phoenix Camp | (623) 465-9757 |
Bail & Bonds in Phoenix
When someone is arrested and booked into a Phoenix jail, a bail amount is set based on the charges and the county bail schedule. Bail can be posted in several ways:
- Cash bail — Pay the full bail amount directly to the jail. This is refunded (minus fees) when the case concludes, regardless of verdict.
- Bail bond — Pay a bail bondsman 10% of the bail amount (non-refundable). The bondsman posts the full bail on your behalf.
- Property bond — Use real property as collateral. Must be valued at 150-200% of the bail amount.
- Own recognizance (OR) — A judge may release the defendant without bail for minor charges.
Bail can typically be posted 24 hours a day at county jails. After bail is posted, release processing takes 4-12 hours depending on the facility's booking volume.
Other Cities in Arizona with Facilities
Frequently Asked Questions
Phoenix has 16 correctional facilities: 9 jails, 4 state prisons, 2 federal facilities, 1 other facility.
Contact the jail directly to schedule a visit. Most Phoenix jails require advance reservations by phone or online. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Visits are typically 30 minutes with a maximum of 3 visitors.
Check the county sheriff's office website for their online inmate search tool, often called "Who's In Jail" or a booking roster. You can search by name, booking number, or date of arrest.
Bail can be posted at the jail 24/7 by cash, bail bond (10% through a bondsman), or property bond. After posting bail, release takes 4-12 hours depending on booking volume.
You must first be approved as a visitor by submitting a visitor application through the Arizona Department of Corrections. Background checks take 2-6 weeks. Once approved, contact the facility to schedule your visit.
Use the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc. You can search by name, BOP register number, or other identifiers for anyone in the federal prison system.
Look for budget-friendly hotels near the facility, especially for early morning visit check-ins. Extended stay hotels offer weekly rates. Search Google Hotels or Booking.com for options near Phoenix, Arizona.
You can drive (use Google Maps for directions), take an intercity bus (Greyhound, FlixBus, or Megabus), or fly to the nearest airport. Check our directions section above for specific travel options.
Inmates make outgoing calls through the facility's phone provider (usually Securus or GTL). Set up a prepaid phone account to receive calls at lower rates. Calls are typically 15 minutes and cost $0.14-$0.25 per minute for local calls.
Many facilities now offer video visitation through JPay, GTL, or Securus platforms. Check the specific facility's page on this site to see if video visits are available and how to set up an account.
Yes. Most facilities accept deposits through services like JPay, GTL, or commissary kiosks in the lobby. County jails also accept money orders mailed to the inmate's booking account. Online deposits typically cost $3-6 in fees.
Yes. All jails and prisons accept postal mail. Address it to the inmate's full legal name and booking/inmate number at the facility's address. Letters must be on plain white paper. No stickers, drawings, perfume, or Polaroid photos.