Saguaro Correctional Facility

Saguaro Correctional Facility is a state prison for adult male inmates from Hawaii that is actually located in the Sonoran Desert in Eloy, Arizona, due to overcrowding issues. This private facility is owned and operated by Corrections Corporation of America and houses a maximum of 1,926 inmates. This facility houses the majority of the State of Hawaii’s male prison population.

The $95 million Saguaro prison was dedicated in 2007, and its opening meant that the Hawaii Department of Public Safety could consolidate prisoners who had been held in Corrections Corporation of America private prisons in Kentucky, Mississippi, and Oklahoma. 

In a two-year span, from 2008 to 2010, four Hawaiians died at the hospital after being involved in incidents occurring at Saguaro. 

In 2010, Kat Brady, a coordinator of the Community Alliance on Prisons, argued that the State of Hawaii was not forcing CCA to demonstrate accountability and transparency while the state is paying CCA to operate the prison. In response, Ron Thompson, the vice president of operations of CCA, said that the prison is independently audited.

The State of Hawaii spends over $60 million per year to house prisoners at Saguaro. The facility has stun fences and alarm systems that are designed to prevent escapes and false alarms. It also houses X-ray machines, metal detectors, and security cameras that, according to the prison administration, are "virtually impossible" to destroy. 

CCA arranged for the prison to serve a menu catering to the tastes of Hawaiian prisoners. Even though it is located in Arizona, the prison observes Hawaiian holidays, and the operations accommodate Hawaiian religious belief practices.

Saguaro houses multiple security levels, and it is on Arizona State Highway 87, halfway between Phoenix and Tucson. Saguaro is adjacent to three other prisons run by CCA: the Eloy Detention Center, the La Palma Correctional Facility, and the Red Rock Correctional Center. The nearest city with food and lodging is Casa Grande, Arizona.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

You must be on the inmate’s approved visiting list, and it is their responsibility to submit their list with full names, addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers, and date of birth to their unit manager. The inmate’s visitation list will then be sent to the Hawaii Department of Public Safety for an NCIC check. This process takes between two and four weeks.

If you wish to be on your inmate’s visiting list, you must let them know in a letter or phone call.

On-site Visitation:

Visitation for general population inmates is on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 8:00 am to Noon and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Inmates in segregation are allowed visits on Tuesday from 8:00 am to Noon and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Video Visitation:

If you wish to set up video visitation, contact the state of Hawaii’s PSD mainland branch at

(808) 837-8022 to schedule a video visit. Video visitation appointments are taken on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:00am to 2:00pm (Hawaii time).

Saguaro Correctional Center does random vehicle searches, and if you refuse to be searched you will not be allowed to visit. Once you enter the facility, you will be required to remove your shoes and belt to clear a metal detector. You will need a photo ID to enter the visiting room.

This facility provides diapers and wipes for visitors with babies.

Dress Code:You are required to wear conventional clothing that is not suggestive or tight-fitting. You are not allowed to wear anything that resembles inmate clothing, and anything associated with gangs is not allowed.

All dresses, skirts, jumpers, culottes, shorts, skorts, and pants must be no shorter than two inches above the knee. Wrap-around skirts aren’t allowed, and tight-fitting pants, skirts, dresses, or other garments is prohibited.

Halter dresses, halter-tops, tube tops, and dresses or tops with plunging necklines are not allowed. Sleeveless tops or dresses are also prohibited. Do not wear any see-through clothing or anything that exposes the midsection, chest, back, or thighs. 

Visitors are required to wear underwear, including a bra.

Hats, coats, and other outer garments are prohibited. Shoes must be worn at all times, but open-toed shoes and wheeled-shoes are prohibited.

Other Prohibited Items:

Cell phones and all other electronic devices are not permitted. Purses, wallets, or any other carrying cases are prohibited.

The vending machines are on a Smart Card debit system and they do not accept cash or coins. You can purchase a Smart Card for $1.25 before you enter the visiting room and you must load at least $5 on the card. These cards are good for up to six months. Cash is not allowed in the visiting room.

Authorized staff has the authority to open all general correspondence before it is delivered. All incoming mail will be processed within 48 hours of receipt, with the exception of Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays.  

Whenever an item is received that cannot be searched or examined without destruction or alteration (i.e. electronic musical greeting cards, padded cards, double faced Polaroid photos, etc.), it will be returned to sender at the inmate's expense.

How to Call an Inmate

During assigned times, inmates have access to a phone to make calls. All personal inmate telephone calls, with the exception of identified privileged/legal calls, are subject to monitoring and recording.

 For complete details on how to call an inmate in Arizona, please click here.

How to Send Money

By Mail

Money order/Cashier’s Check must be made payable to the inmate, with their first and last name and their CCA Commissary number. Personal checks are not accepted. Mail a money order or cashier’s check to:

CCA INMATE TRUST
Inmate First & Last Name
CCA Commissary Number
Facility: SUARO
P.O. Box 933488
Atlanta, GA 31193-3488

Western Union

Internet Payments with a credit or debit card can be made by clicking here. Telephone Payments can be made 24/7 by calling 1-800-634-3422, and Walk-in Cash Payments can be made at any Western Union location. You must use the blue Western Union Quick Collect Form.

Pay to: Corrections Corp of America
Code City: Trustcca
State: TN 

Sender's Account Number: Inmate’s commissary number and their last name, with no spaces in-between.

​Programs For ​Inmates

Saguaro Correctional Facility does offer educational, vocational, and treatment programs. However, CCA does not release a list of their inmate programs to the public.

Pictures of Saguaro Correctional Facility

Careers at Saguaro Correctional Facility

Saguaro Correctional Facility is owned and operated by the Corrections Corporation of America, also known as CoreCivic. If you are interested in a job at Saguaro Correctional Facility, click here.