The Arizona State Prison System

The Arizona state prison system consists of various prison facilities, further divided into correctional institutions and prisons in different counties around the state. The state runs ten facilities, while six correctional centers are privately managed and headed by the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry, with inmate capacities ranging from 1,000 to 4,500.

The Arizona Department of Corrections also plays administrative roles at the state level to ensure all adult offenders’ rehabilitation, following the Arizona statutes. Furthermore, the Offender Operations Division is responsible for the activities and security of state-run prisons as the division sets custody levels, determines prison assignments, and computes inmate’s sentences and release dates.

For privately operated prisons in contract with the state, the Contract Beds Bureau of the offender operations division oversees their activities. Other divisions under the Department of Corrections include the support service, the health service, and the administrative service. Other Laws binding the Arizona state prisons and operations are in ARS title 31 chapter 2.

What is the Difference Between Jail and Prison in Arizona?

Jails and prisons are related words used synonymously. However, in Arizona, these two words symbolize different functions, and the disparity is in the roles assigned to each in the incarceration process. Counties within the state use jail as correctional facilities as the incarceration is only for a short period because judicial hearing and adjudication are ongoing. A jail can only hold a minimal amount of people since the state’s provisions for short-term detention involve smaller security measures. The sheriff is responsible for clothing and feeding and little health care, following the Arizona revised statutes.

On the other hand, prisons serve a different purpose in the incarceration process of criminals in the state. The detention in prison is after an offender has been tried and found guilty in a court of law. After conviction, incarceration is likely to follow suit, and it could take a long period to ensure rehabilitation before returning to society. Generally, a prison can hold 1,000 or more people because it is for maximum detention with maximum security and better amenities.

One noteworthy difference between a jail and a prison in Arizona is the employment of prisoners. Inmates in prison are responsible for rebuilding and renovating fences, the re-making of beds, or can be contracted and paid by contractors in a prison construction assignment, which is allowed by the state’s regulation. Although for jail incarcerations, the sheriff may deem it necessary for labor, however, only the court can impose that the defendant faces hard labor in addition to other sentences recognized by law.

How Many Prisons are in Arizona?

In Arizona, the prison system consists of ten state-run prison facilities and six privately run facilities, all under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections. Below is the contact number of the prisons in the state and inmate capacity;

• Arizona state prison complex - Eyman

Capacity: 4,594

Phone: (520) 868 0201

• Arizona state prison complex - Lewis

Capacity: 4,397

Phone: (623) 386 6160

• Arizona state prison complex - Tucson

Capacity: 4,358

Phone: (520) 574 0024

• Arizona state prison complex - Florence

Capacity: 3,946

Phone: (520) 868 4011

• Arizona state prison complex - Perryville

Capacity: 2,382

Phone: (623) 853 0304

• Arizona state prison complex - Yuma

Capacity: 2,245

Phone: (928) 627 8871

• Arizona state prison complex - Douglas

Capacity: 2,148

Phone: (520) 364 7521

• Arizona state prison complex - Winslow

Capacity: 1,928

Phone: (928) 289 9551

• Arizona state prison complex - Safford

Capacity: 1,717

Phone: (928) 428 4698

• Arizona state prison complex- phoenix

Capacity: 1,042

Phone: (602) 685 3100

Privately operated;

• Arizona state prison - Kingman

Capacity: 3,500

Phone: (928) 565 2460

• Red rock correctional center

Capacity: 2,000

Phone: (520) 464 3800

• Central Arizona correctional facility

Capacity: 1,280

Phone: (520) 868 4809

• Arizona state prison - Florence West

Capacity: 500 male DUI, 250 criminal aliens

Phone: (520) 8684251

• Arizona state prison - phoenix west

Capacity: 500

Phone: (602) 352 0350

• Marana community correctional treatment facility

Capacity: 500

Phone: (520) 682 2077

How do I search for an Inmate in Arizona State Prison?

The Arizona Department of Corrections documents inmates’ details and manages a database with over 112,000 inmate records and 26,000 active inmates’ records. Interested individuals can find inmate information in any state holding facility through the Inmate Datasearch. The portal requires parties to search by imputing the 6-digits Arizona department of correction (ADC) number assigned to the inmate or search for inmates using the last name or the first initial.

Also, to hasten the search results, selecting the inmate’s gender and status, whether active or inactive, will help specify the search. A typical inmate record in Arizona will contain the following;

• The inmate’s details such as name, aliases, and date of birth
• Parole placement
• Information concerning commitment
• Profile classification
• Infractions
• Parole placement
• Sentence information
• Parole action
• Work program
• Detainer/warrant information

Inmates’ records of over a hundred years can be found on a different service portal with alphabetical listings.

Are Incarceration Records Public in Arizona?

Yes. Arizona criminal history information is accessible to the public. The Arizona public records law stipulates that all public records are made available for public inspection, including books, papers, photographs, maps, documentary materials, and documents. Except for files for students, research records, donor information, adoption records, and trade secrets.

Records that are considered public may be accessible from some third-party websites. These websites often make searching simpler, as they are not limited by geographic location, and search engines on these sites may help when starting a search for a specific or multiple records. To begin using such a search engine on a third-party or government website, interested parties usually must provide:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the record or person involved. This includes information such as the city, county, or state that person resides in or was accused in.

Third-party sites are independent from government sources, and are not sponsored by these government agencies. Because of this, record availability on third-party sites may vary.

How to Look Up Jail Records in Arizona?

Requestors can look up criminal history information online through the Arizona Department of Public Safety. However, arrest records are obtainable by visiting the Police Department responsible for the arrest. Although arrests do not point out that a person has committed a crime, often it is only documented to show proof of questioning. Looking up jail history in Arizona will require a visit to the sheriff’s office in the county where a defendant was incarcerated.

Can Jail Records be Expunged in Arizona?

Arizona does not have any statutes providing the basis for expungement. Nevertheless, criminal convictions can be set aside upon a court’s order. Setting aside a jail record treats the event as though all charges were dismissed. However, before setting aside can be successful, in respect to Arizona statutes 13–905, the court will put the following factors into consideration;

• The circumstances surrounding the offense
• The applicant’s observance of the terms of probation
• Former convictions, if there are any
• The age of the applicant at the time
• The victim’s status

If the application is successful, all fines and penalties will be redacted as the record or conviction is set aside. Although set aside records will appear on background checks, there will be a set aside statement on the document.