We are pleased to provide helpful information and ways to support your loved ones during this crisis.
General Information
What’s happened with ADC visitation?
- On March 13, 2020, the Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC) released a statement suspending in-person visitation at all prison complexes due to concerns of spreading Coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Video visitation will be “explored” by ADC but is not available at this time.
How long will visitations be suspended?
- ADC says it is complying with industry standards of the American Correctional Association and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care* in reducing the spread.
- Current Center for Disease Control recommendations include cancelling gatherings of 10 people or more – one reason why visits are closed.
- Visits are suspended until at least April 12,
Staying Connected While Visitations are Suspended
Letter Writing
- Sending letters acts not only as a way to communicate, but also gives the person something to look forward to and hold onto as a keepsake.
- You can make your own post cards, find low-cost greeting cards at thrift stores, and use postcard apps like Flikshop.
- PACKAGES CANNOT BE MAILED. If you would like to send a package, you must use the SecurePak system. Review DO 914 Inmate Mail if you have any questions.
- CDs and books can still be mailed through approved vendors.
Phone Calls
On March 18, ADC announced that phone provider CenturyLink began providing two free 15-minute phone calls per week.
In September 2019, a tablet program was offered to many ADC facilities under Director’s Instruction 380. It is unclear who does and does not have a tablet.
- AFSC-AZ was unable to locate these matrixes for more detailed information on the standards.
- Friends and family may purchase media credits through the vendor website www.jpay.com
- Fees for JPAY services at ADC are available here: https://corrections.az.gov/inmate-deposits
Ideas for Children with an Incarcerated Loved Ones
- Create a self-mailing letter by folding your letter into an envelope to mail inside! Instructions here!
- Create a storybook! Start a story with just one paragraph and mail it to your loved one. Have the person inside write the next paragraph and mail it back. Continue this pattern, until a full story is written!
- You can also add art/drawings into this project by drawing the story as it is written.
- Make your own Mad-Libs to be exchanged, and then mail them back for review!
If you have any concerns or issues with visitation protocols, please contact us and let us know!
Categories: Blog
It’s fantastic to learn that you can’t have 10 or more people visiting a loved one in jail because of COVID-19. My wife and I are wanting to visit her brother that could go to jail and we were wondering how many people could visit him. I’ll be sure to tell her that with the new system, only 10 people can visit him at once.