Maricopa County and Mesa Arizona Jail, Inmate, Visitation and Information FAQ
General Bail Bond and Bail Bonding Release Process FAQ
Maricopa County and Mesa Arizona Jail, Inmate, Visitatina nd Information FAQ:
Are religious or educational services held in the jails? Drug treatment programs? Job training?
There are many religious and educational services available to qualified inmates. Religious services are multi-denominational, including Protestant, Catholic, Muslim and Jewish. All programs/services are voluntary, other than educational programs for remanded juveniles, which are required. Drug treatment and work programs are currently available only to sentenced inmates. The work program encompasses a variety of jobs, including food services, warehouse, general building maintenance, janitorial, landscaping, road surfacing, and others. “Qualified” inmates are those inmates who have acceptable disciplinary behavior.
How can I add money to an inmate’s account? For what purposes can the inmate use this account?
If you are only interested in depositing money into an inmate account, it is recommended for ease and convenience to do it through the U.S. Mail when corresponding with the inmate. U.S. Postal Money Orders and Western Union Money Orders are the most commonly used forms of payment, and are easily obtainable. The inmate’s full name, booking number and jail facility location is required on each money order. The money order will be removed from the correspondence and deposited into the appropriate inmate account upon the mail’s arrival at the facility where the inmate is housed. Money orders and/or cash can also be deposited in person at any MCSO jail facility “Visitation” area. (Please have the exact amount you wish to deposit. Jails cannot make change.) Inmates can use the money in their accounts to pay for canteen items, medical co-payments, or to pay bonds or fines.
How can I find out what jail facility an inmate is at? A court or release date? A bond amount?
There is a general jail information number to obtain all of this information. The number is 602-876-0322.
How can I visit an inmate? What are the rules for visitation? How will I know if visitation is restricted, or if the jail is in an emergency “lockdown?”
ILLEGAL ALIENS ARE BANNED FROM VISITING SHERIFF'S JAILS.
You can find out the location of the inmate you want to visit by calling (602) 876-0233. You can visit the inmate at this assigned facility. Each jail facility has its own phone number for visitation. You should call this number before visiting to find out what hours are open for visits, and whether the jail will be “locked down.” Visitation rules are clearly posted in all visitation areas. Please dress in appropriate conservative clothing. Otherwise, you may be denied your visit. Also, have proper governmental identification (such as a driver’s license or ID card) to get signed up for the visit. Visitation phone numbers are:
- Durango Jail Visitation 602-876-3555
- Fourth Avenue Jail Visitation 602-876-1239
- Estrella Jail Visitation 602-876-1222
- Lower Buckeye Jail Visitation 602-876-1236
- Tents Jail Visitation 602-876-1735
- Towers Jail Visitation 602-876-1679
Is an inmate allowed to bring his or her own prescription medicine into jail? His own glasses? Orthodontics?
In the rare occasion that Correctional Health Services (CHS) would be unable to provide a specific medication, it can be authorized by CHS in specified amounts. Prescription glasses are allowed, pending the approval of the jail commander—and if they do not pose a security concern upon inspection. Orthodontic devices have the same guidelines as prescription glasses. Other than medications, the care and control of such authorized items become the sole responsibility of the inmate.
What can an inmate buy from the canteen? What if an inmate is “indigent?”
Typical items available from the canteen are hygiene items, like shampoo and toothpaste, and confectionary items, i.e., candy bars. An inmate is considered indigent if he or she has less than one dollar on account for seven consecutive days. Indigent inmates are able to order “indigent commissary packs.” This pack contains hygiene items, three (3) postcards and a pencil.
What if an inmate has special dietary or medical needs?
Medical screenings are conducted on each inmate at intake, when the inmate is asked to disclose all medical conditions. Based on that information, special dietary and medical plans are formulated. A licensed dietician is on staff within Food Services to see to dietary needs of inmates, and Correctional Health Services is responsible for the medical needs of inmates. Inmates may turn in a request at any time to be seen by health care staff, and an appointment will be scheduled.
What items can be mailed to an inmate? What is allowable and not allowable? Can I mail books, magazines, and/or newspapers? Is there a list of "authorized" distributers for books, magazines, etc.?
INMATE NOTICE
Effective May 1, 2007, all mail incoming to inmates, with the exception of legal mail, must be in metered postcard form. This change is being implemented to ensure the safety and security of jail facilities, inmates and staff.
Acceptable Postcards
• NO LETTERS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
• Stamps are NOT allowed, postcards must be metered.
• Please include Booking # & Location if available.
• Minimum size requirements are 3.5 inches by 4.25 inches.
• Maximum allowable postcard size is 4.25 inches by 6 inches.
• Should be written in BLUE OR BLACK INK ONLY.
• NO OTHER COLOR INK WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Unacceptable Postcards
• Defaced or altered postcards.
• No plastics or wrappings on postcard.
• Postcards marked with paint, crayons or marker.
• Postcards with labels or stickers.
• Postcards with watermarks or stains.
• Postcards with any biohazards, including perfumes or lipstick.
• Postcards depicting nudity, weapons or gang references.
• Oversized postcards.
Legal Mail
• Legal mail is not affected.
Money
• Any cashiers check (also known as an official check).
• U.S. Postal Money Order.
• Western Union Money Order.
• U.S. currency (cash).
• Checks from government agencies or privately run jails or prisons, payable in U.S. funds.
• Checks must contain the inmate’s name and booking number. Cash must include a note with the inmate’s name and booking number.
Monies mailed in to inmates may be in an envelope addressed to the jail and must state the inmate’s name and booking number. “FOR DEPOSIT ONLY” must be clearly marked on the outside of the envelope. No letters or pictures shall be included in the envelope or it will be rejected.
Photographs
• NO POLAROID PICTURES
• Up to five photographs may be mailed to the jail (or dropped off in the visitation lobby) provided the envelope is clearly marked “PHOTOGRAPHS.”
• Photographs may NOT be larger than four inches by six inches.
• The inmate name and booking number must be written on the back of each photograph. Nothing else is to be written on the photographs.
• Photographs must be unaltered, and may not contain any adhesives, such as stickers or labels.
Newspapers and Magazines
• Newspapers and magazine subscriptions are not affected, and will remain unchanged.
When can inmates make telephone calls? Are the calls free? Can I call an inmate?
Unless there are security or disciplinary restrictions placed upon a jail, or an area within the jail, phones are available to inmates from approximately 7:30 AM to 10:00 PM. (Times vary from facility to facility.) Inmates can only make calls to outside parties if the call is charged to the receiving party as a collect call. Incoming calls to inmates are not available.
Where can I post bond? What form of payment can I use, i.e., credit card, cash? Is there a way to post bond if I live out of state?
The easiest way is to just call 1-877-WHY-JAIL and have one of our professional, licensed surety agents handle the entire process for you quickly and effectively.
The Fourth Avenue Jail, at 201 S. 4th Avenue in downtown Phoenix, has a “Bonds and Fines” area on the north side of the jail. This is open 24-hours a day. Bonds and fines can also be processed at each MCSO jail facility, but hours may vary, so call the facility before you go. Payment form is restricted to cash, government money order, postal money order, cashier’s check, or Western Union. (Western Union can also wire money directly to the Maricopa County Superior Court, if the bond is set by that court.) The amount posted must be exact. The jails cannot make change. Money may also be placed on an inmate’s account, and the inmate can use this money to post his or her own bond or fine amount. Independent bail bonds companies can also post bail. To find a listing of such companies, check Yellow Pages or the Internet. Please note: The “Bonds and Fines” window cannot accept child support purge payments.
Don't forget, you can also dial 1-877-WHY-JAIL and get a professional, licensed surety agent to assist you through the bonding process.
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General Bail Bond and Bail Bonding Release Process FAQ:
What is a Bail Bond?
A Bail Bond or Surety Bond is a financial guarantee to the court that the defendant will appear in each and every court appearance as the court directs. Failure of the defendant to comply with the conditions of the court could result in warrants issued and the bail bonds forfeited.
What is a Surety Bond?
A Surety Bond is the preferred form of release for the court because the bail agent is likely to hunt a fugitive who skips court and return them to the authorities to avoid having to pay out for the bond skip. During the contractual undertaking, family and friends are often involved in order to help ensure a defendant will appear for court.
What is Cash Bail?
When Cash Bail is requested, the defendant will only be released if the person seeking the release can deliver the entire bail amount in cash to the jail facility in which the defendant is being held.
What are Property Bonds?
A few states will still accept a Property Bond, which is a way of posting security for the release of a defendant using local real estate as collatoral. The process requires a judge's approval and clerk's acceptance and usually takes one to two weeks.
What does ROR mean?
ROR means to be "Released on One's Own Recognizance" and is usually reserved for a defendant who has been in their community for years, maintains a steady job, has strong family and community ties and is one who poses very little or no flight risk. Only First-time and non-violent offenders are normally considered for ROR. Usually a background check is performed and a recommendation will be given to the court based on those findings. County agencies or local law enforcement usually adminsiter the process.
What is the ELMO program?
Administered by a county or local law enforcement agency, ELMO stands for Electronic Monitoring and is usually a condition of release in addition to a regular bail bond. House arrest will typically make use of Electronic Monitoring by requiring the defendant to wear an ankle bracelet which sets off an alarm if the person gets too far away from their home.
Where can a Bail Bond be posted?
Most courts and jails will accept the posting of a Bail Bond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year.
Where can I get a Bail Bond?
Call us TOLL FREE at 1-877-WHY-JAIL (1-877-949-5245) or (727) 557-4344 and a licensed bail agent will discuss your situation with you confidentially while assisting you with your questions and individual needs.
What house do bail agencies operate?
Most bail bonding agencies are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year as people are arrested at all hours of every day.
How much does it cost for a Bail Bond?
In most cases, a bail bond premium is usually 10% of the full bail amount. The surety companies are responsible for establishing the fees and they are regulated by the Department of Insurance.
Is the premium for the Bail Bond refundable?
As soon as a bail bond is accepted and posted by a court or a jail, liability is taken on the bond. Once this occurs, the premium is no longer refundable.
Does a Bail Bond expire? How long is a Bail Bond good for?
Bail Bonds are good for up to one year from the date of issuance. The premium must be paid again to keep the bond current if the case goes beyond one year.
Am I liable for the Bail Bond? Who is liable for the Bail Bond?
The co-signer, also known as the indemnitor, is financially liable for the bail bond and their liability is limited to the full face value of the bail bond.
What if I am calling from another state or out of the area?
No matter where you are calling from, if you have a friend or family member in custody it is still possible to obtain a bail bond. The process involved simply requires faxing the contract to you and then us accepting a credit card and/or wire transfer for the bond premium.
I still have additional questions about the whole Bail Bond process or my unique situation - what should I do?
Call us TOLL FREE at 1-877-WHY-JAIL (1-877-949-5245) or (727) 557-4344 and one of our licensed agents will be more than happy to help educate you further about the bail bond process.
Bail Bonds in Mesa is part of the All Estates Bail Bonds Nationwide Network
Bail Bonds in Mesa is also a partner with BountyHunterForHire.com Skip Tracing and Fugitive Recovery Services.
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