Arizona's Maricopa County Jail: Everything You Need to Know

More than 60 percent of Arizona’s 7.3 million residents live in Maricopa County. Because of the large population, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office operates five jails separately located throughout the county. If your relative or friend is arrested and/or sentenced, you will want to know which of the five jails they have been sent to, how to post bond, and answers to many other questions. Below are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Maricopa County Jail.

What types of crimes are people in Maricopa County generally arrested or sentenced for that send them to jail?

Whether the crime committed was a misdemeanor or a felony, a person arrested and unable to post bond will be detained at one of the Maricopa County Jails. Committing one or more of the following crime types are a typical cause for arrest and detention:

• Probation Violations
• Vehicular Crimes including DUI
• Drug Crimes
• Assault and other Violent Crimes
• Trespassing, Burglary, Criminal Damage
• Sex Crimes
• White Collar Crimes and Theft or Fraud
• Crimes Against Children
• Miscellaneous Crimes

In addition to holding people who have been convicted of misdemeanors requiring less than a six-month sentence, The Maricopa County Jails incarcerate those who have committed any crime that requires a jail sentence as opposed to prison. Homicides and other severe crimes result in a prison sentence, but serious criminals awaiting trial may be held in one of the Maricopa County Jails until sentencing.

Where are the five Maricopa County jails located?

Towers Jail
3127 West Gibson Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85009

Fourth Avenue Jail
201 S. 4th Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85003

Estrella Jail
2939 W. Durango Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85009

Durango Jail
Phoenix, Arizona 85009
Phoenix, Arizona 85009

Lower Buckeye Jail
3250 W. Lower Buckeye Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85009

How can I find out which of the five jails a person has been assigned to?

Jail assignments are determined by whether or not a person has been sentenced, their classification level, and their gender. To determine which jail the person you are looking for has been taken to, visit the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Information website. There, you will be able to search the system using an inmate’s booking number or date of birth and name. Understand that the inmate will not appear in the system until their booking is complete, so you may have to wait several hours or more until that process takes place. The county offers a general automated information line that might help you determine which jail your friend or loved one has been assigned - 602-876-0322.

What happens when a person is arrested in Maricopa County on the weekend?

For those facing a serious misdemeanor or felony, being arrested on a weekend is different than being arrested on a weekday. Those offenses require an initial appearance in front of a judge within 24 hours of booking. This most often means remaining jailed until Monday morning when the courts open again. The 24-hour rule does not apply on the weekends, so if a person is arrested on a Friday, they would still have to wait until Monday before being released.

Initial appearances before a judge are usually held via video. The judge will explain the charges that have been brought against the jailed party and set the bail amount. A judge may, at their discretion, choose not to set bail for serious crimes.

How do I post a bond for release from jail?

Regardless of which jail a person is being held, all fines and bond payments must be taken care of at the Fourth Avenue Jail (also sometimes called the Madison Street Jail) in downtown Phoenix. If you attempt to make payment at any other jail, you will be referred to the Fourth Avenue Bond and Fine Room.

If you are unable to pay the full amount, the arrested party will not be released, so be sure to seek a bail bondsman's help if that is the case. A bail bond agent may post bail for you in exchange for keeping a percentage of the full posted bond amount. Keep in mind that you will likely be required to offer collateral in case the person you are posting for does not show up for court. You will be required to pay the full amount if that occurs.

You will need some necessary information to post bond, including an inmate's full legal name, date of birth, and inmate booking number. Know that once your bond has been posted, it can take up to 24 hours before the person is released.

What do I need to know about visiting someone who is in one of the Maricopa County Jails?

There are two ways to visit someone incarcerated in a Maricopa County Jail, Remote video visits, and Onsite video visits. Both are offered through a company called GettingOut and require that you create and validate an account with them.

A remote video visit costs $0.25 per minute and must be initiated by the incarcerated party. Remote visits cannot be pre-scheduled but can occur from 7 am to 10 pm as often as you would like. Using the “Visit Now” feature, an outside party can be contacted on their computer or phone, provided they have downloaded the GettingOut Visits mobile app (available for both iOS and Android).

An Onsite video visit costs $7.95 for a 20-minute visit, but all inmates receive one free 20-minute visit each week. Free visits can be used as either Onsite or Remote visits, whichever the inmate prefers. Onsite video visits are limited to two visitors and only take place at lobby video stations of Maricopa’s Lower Buckeye and Fourth Avenue Jails. Visitors can bypass the long lines by reserving a visitation time online between 9 am and 4:30 pm.

It is important to know that all jail video visits and phone calls are recorded. For this reason, you might want to avoid discussing details of the inmate’s case that could be used against them by the prosecution.

How do I inform the Maricopa County Jail about an incarcerated friend or family member’s medical condition?

If you are concerned about a friend or family member’s health and would like to report a specific condition to the jail at which they are held, you can fill out a Clinic Liaison Form online.

The Maricopa County Correctional Health Services (CHS) Clinical Liaison allows relatives, friends, legal representatives, health care providers, case managers, and court staff a non-emergency service to share health-related information. Completed forms are forwarded to clinical staff where the inmate is housed during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm.

How can I deposit money into an inmate’s account?

Family and friends can deposit money into an inmate’s account using one of four different methods.

• Online through the TouchPay website
• By phone at 1-866-355-9593
• TouchPay Payment kiosks at jail facilities (must have inmate’s booking number or first and last name)
• Various retail locations found through TouchPay location services

You’ll want to be aware that kiosk machines accept both cash or MasterCard and VISA and that it can take up to an hour before funds are validated and are available to the inmate. Also, all TouchPay services charge a fee for using their service.