How to Call an Inmate in Arizona

Prisoners incarcerated in Arizona state prisons have access to telephones, but they can’t receive inbound calls. Inmates can only make collect calls or prepaid calls.

Anyone wishing to receive telephone calls from an inmate must complete and submit the Application to Visit an Inmate and select the phone-only option. You can fill out this form online or have your loved one mail the form to you. You will not have to pay the $25 background check fee if you are applying for phone privileges only.

Whether applying online or by mail, it is critical that all information fields and both sides are completed prior to submitting the form. By completing and submitting the form, you are attesting to the truthfulness and accuracy of the information.

  1. Online Application: If you wish to receive calls from an inmate, you may submit your application electronically. Once the application is completed and submitted:
    • Do not submit an application while the inmate is in the intake process at Alhambra or the intake process at Perryville
    • If an application is denied you must wait 180 days to re-apply
  2. Printed Application: Potential call recipients who do not wish to submit their application online may complete the application form, print it, and mail it directly to the Unit Visitation Office where the inmate is currently assigned:
    • Do not submit an application while the inmate is in the intake process at Alhambra or the intake process at Perryville
    • Applications submitted by mail for phone privileges must be in an envelope reading:
      “Attention Visitation Officer”
    • Do not mail application to the inmate. It must be sent directly to the unit visitation officer or it will be voided

Background checks are conducted on all persons applying for visitation or phone call privileges.

Those persons wishing to accept phone calls from inmates and will not be visiting in-person must apply for phone privileges utilizing the regular application process.

Properly completed visitation applications shall be processed and approved or denied within 60 days on receipt of the application and verified payment, if applicable.

Once a decision has been made, the inmate will be informed of the outcome. It is the inmate’s responsibility to inform the potential visitor of their visitation status.

How To Pay For Calls

The Arizona Department of Corrections has contracted with CenturyLink to provide calling and account billing services to inmates. Recipients of these calls may include friends and family members.

Friends and family members can establish Prepaid Collect calling accounts to pay for inmate calls to their phone number. Accounts can be managed by phone or internet. Inmates can also purchase phone time through commissary. Please see Available Services from CenturyLink for more information.

The rates for calls vary between .12 per minute to .40 per minute. You can find a detail rate table and fee list by clicking here.

Available Services

  • Prepaid Collect

Provided through CenturyLink’s billing agent ICSolutions, Prepaid Collect allows you to receive inmate calls to your specific phone number. No monthly spending limits. Calls can be completed to cell phones, internet phone services, or other services which do not provide Traditional Collect billing.

  • Debit (Inmate-Prepaid)

Debit services are purchased directly by inmates through commissary, using funds from their ADC trust account. For more information on how to fund a trust account for an ADC inmate, click here. Debit calling can be used by the inmate to call any number approved by their facility.

To manage or setup a CenturyLink account, call 1-888-506-8407 or visit their website.

If you accept a call from an ADC inmate and have not already established a Prepaid Collect Service, you will receive one complimentary 60-second call and then be automatically routed to a customer service agent.

*All of this information comes directly from the Arizona Department of Corrections website, and is current as of May 2019.

 

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