Ouachita River Unit
The Ouachita River Unit is an Arkansas Department of Correction prison located in Malvern, Arkansas. This facility opened in 200, and has a total capacity of 1782 inmates at the minimum- and medium-security levels.
This Arkansas state prison serves as the intake and classification facility for male inmates. Almost all of the state’s offenders start off at the Ouachita River Unit and usually only stay here for a few days or weeks to be processed into the system and classified before being transferred to their permanent facility.
In 2012, a 72-bed hospital was opened on-site that included beds for elderly prisoners and inmates considered chronically ill.
There is an average of 4,000 prisoners-per-year in Arkansas who are studying to receive their GED. Each May, prisoners who have earned their GED get a moment of recognition by being brought to the Ouachita River Unit for a graduation ceremony.
Prison Insights
Ouachita River Unit
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Visiting Hours and Rules
Visits are generally not allowed at Ouachita River Unit because it is an intake facility where the inmates are being processed into the system, and they are only there for a short amount of time.
There are a few inmates housed at this Unit who are long-term, but you will need to ask them via mail or phone about their specific visiting times and rules.
Physical Address
Ouachita River Unit
100 Walco Ln
Malvern, AR. 72104
Driving Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/oMc5MdcDvVdythHa9
General Phone Number
501-467-3400
Inmate Mailing Address(es)
Inmate’s Name and ADC Number
Ouachita River Unit
100 Walco Ln
Malvern, AR. 72104
You can only send letters to this address. If you want to send books, magazines, newspapers, or catalogs, they must be mailed directly from the publisher or vendor website like Amazon. However, you should wait until the inmate is transferred to their permanent facility before starting any subscriptions.
The staff does not give inmates their mail directly. Instead, they make photocopies all inmate mail in an effort to reduce contraband. Since they only make black and white copies, be sure use dark ink only (black or blue ink) when writing your letter.
You can’t mail food or care packages to an inmate. However, Arkansas is part of the Inmate Package Program where you can buy up to $100 of goods through participating vendors at different times throughout the year.
You can also send email and photos through www.accesscorrections.com, but you will need to open an account with them first before sending any correspondence.
All snail mail and email is subject to review by the facility staff prior to delivery, so make sure your content is appropriate.
How to Call an Inmate
For complete details on how to call an inmate in Arkansas, please click here.
How to Send Money
Online
The fastest way to send money to an inmate at the Ouachita River Unit is to use the ONLINE INMATE DEPOSIT SERVICE through the Arkansas Department of Corrections. You must have a credit or debit card and this method does have a processing fee. Prepaid cards and payroll cards are not accepted.
US Mail
If you prefer snail mail, there are a few things to remember. First, you can only send money orders, no cash or checks. Second, don’t mail it directly to the prisoner. And, finally, always include a Money Order Deposit Slip
Mail your money order to:
Arkansas Department of Correction:
Trust Fund Centralized Banking
P.O. Box 8908
Pine Bluff, AR 71611
Money orders should be made payable to the inmate and you must include their ADC number.
Phone
You can also send money to an inmate by calling 1-866-250-7697. You will need a credit or debit card for this method, and there is a small processing fee.
Programs For Inmates
Even though most inmates are only at Ouachita River Unit for a short period of time, this prison does offer various programs for inmates to start while they are being processed.
- GED Program
- Paws in Prison
- Think Legacy Program
- Agriculture - Cow/Calf and Forage Production, Hay Operations, and Garden Operations
- Vo-Tech
- Faith-Based Principles and Applications for Life (PAL) Program
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)/Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Programs
- Construction
- Dog Kennel Operations
- Faith-Based Principles and Applications for Life (PAL) Program
- Hobby Craft
- Inmate Council
- Special Needs Unit (provides additional beds for special needs inmates, which includes hospital services and sheltered living)
- Reduction of Sexual Victimization Program (RSVP)
- Regional Maintenance
- Residential Program Unit – Habilitation
- Reentry Program
- Workforce Alliance for Growth in the Economy (WAGE) Program
Pictures of Ouachita River Unit
Careers at Ouachita River Unit
If you are interested in pursuing a career with the Arkansas Department of Corrections, you can find available positions at the Ouachita River Unit by visiting their website.
