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. Inmate capacities range from 1,000 to 4,500.

The Arizona Department of Corrections also plays administrative roles at the state level to ensure the rehabilitation of adult offenders, following Arizona statutes. Furthermore, the Offender Operations Division is responsible for the activities and security of state-run prisons, setting custody levels, determining prison assignments, and computing inmates' sentences and release dates.

The Contract Beds Bureau of the Offender Operations division oversees privately operated prisons in contract with the state. Other divisions under the Department of Corrections include support, health, and administrative services. 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 jails as correctional facilities, as incarceration may be for a short period since judicial hearings and adjudication are ongoing. A jail can hold a minimal amount of people since the state’s provisions for short-term detention involve smaller security measures. Following the Arizona revised statutes, the sheriff is responsible for clothing, feeding, and health care to a certain degree.

On the other hand, prisons serve a different purpose in the incarceration process of criminals in the state. Prison detention occurs after an offender has been tried and found guilty in a court of law. After conviction, incarceration is likely to follow, 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 and re-making beds, or they can be contracted and paid by contractors for a prison construction assignment, which is allowed by the state’s regulation. Although the sheriff may deem labor necessary during jail incarcerations, the court has the authority to 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 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, may help specify the search. A typical inmate record in Arizona typically contains 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 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.

Public Arizona criminal court records are also accessible through third-party websites. These sites may offer the convenience of a statewide database where individuals can perform singular or multi-record searches. To search these platforms, users may be required to provide information to facilitate the search, including:

• 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 in which the person resides or was accused.

Since third-party sites are independent of government sources and not sponsored by these agencies, record availability, accuracy, and validity may not be guaranteed. 

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 indicate that a person has committed a crime, they are often documented to show proof of questioning. Looking up jail history in Arizona typically requires 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 charges were dismissed. However, before setting aside can be successful, in respect to Arizona statutes 13–905, the court may 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, fines and penalties may then be redacted as the record or conviction is set aside. Although set aside records may still appear on background checks, there is usually a set aside statement on the document.