How to Schedule a Visit With Someone in ADC Custody

What ADC visitation appointments are and how to request one

ADC stands for the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry. If someone you know is held in an ADC facility, you request a visit by submitting a visitation form to the specific prison where they are housed. ADC does not use an online booking system — you fill out a paper form, mail it in, and wait for approval. The facility then contacts you with approved visit dates and times, or denies the request if the person does not want visits or if you do not meet their visitation rules.

Each ADC facility has its own visitation schedule and approval process. Some prisons allow visits on weekends only; others offer weekday visits as well. The wait between submitting your form and receiving approval can be one to three weeks. You cannot simply show up — every visit must be pre-approved, and you must bring the approval notice with you on the day you visit.

Key Takeaways

• You request an ADC visit by mailing a completed visitation form to the specific facility where the person is held, not to a central office.
• ADC will contact you by phone or mail within one to three weeks to confirm whether your visit is approved and what dates and times are available.
• Each facility has different visitation hours and rules, so you must check the rules for the specific prison before you visit.
• You must bring a valid government-issued photo ID and the approval notice to every visit, or you will be turned away.
• Some people in ADC custody are on restricted visitation status, which means visits are denied or limited — the facility will tell you if this applies.

How to find the right ADC facility and get the visitation form

The first step is confirming which ADC prison holds the person you want to visit. You can call the ADC Inmate Locator at 602-542-3600 during business hours, or search the online inmate locator at adc.az.gov. Have the person's full name and date of birth ready. The locator will tell you the facility name and the person's current housing unit.

Once you know the facility, contact that prison directly to request a visitation form. Each facility has its own phone number and mailing address. ADC's website lists all facilities with their contact information. When you call, ask for the visitation form and the current visitation rules for that facility — rules vary by prison and can change. Some facilities mail the form to you; others ask you to pick it up in person or download it from their page on the ADC website.

What information you need to complete the visitation form

The visitation form asks for your full name, date of birth, address, phone number, and relationship to the person in custody. You will also need the inmate's full name, ADC number (a six-digit identifier), and housing unit. The form asks whether you have ever been convicted of a felony or are currently on probation or parole — answer honestly, as ADC checks this information.

Some facilities ask you to list other people who may visit with you, or to state the reason for your visit. Read the entire form before you mail it. If you leave sections blank or provide incomplete information, the facility will delay approval or deny the request. Make a copy for your records before you mail the original to the facility's visitation office.

Mailing your form and waiting for approval

Mail the completed form to the visitation office at the specific ADC facility. Use the mailing address provided by the facility — do not send it to a general ADC address. Include your phone number clearly on the form so the facility can contact you. Mail takes time, so send the form at least three to four weeks before the date you want to visit.

After the facility receives your form, they verify your information and check whether the person in custody has placed any restrictions on visits. This process usually takes one to three weeks. The facility will call you at the number you provided to tell you whether your visit is approved. If approved, they will give you specific dates and times when you can visit and may send you a written approval notice by mail. Keep this notice — you must bring it with you on the day of your visit.

What to bring and what to expect on visit day

Bring your valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card) and the approval notice the facility sent you. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled visit time. You will go through a security screening similar to airport security — metal detectors, bag searches, and pat-downs are standard. Wear clothing that follows the facility's dress code: no orange or blue (inmate colors), no revealing clothing, no heavy jewelry, and no clothing with logos or graphics that might be gang-related.

Leave your phone, wallet, keys, and most personal items in your car or at home. Facilities allow only a small amount of cash (usually $20 or less) and your ID. Once you pass security, a staff member will escort you to the visitation area. Visits usually last one to two hours. You will sit across from or next to the person in custody, separated by a table or barrier depending on the facility's security level. Some facilities allow contact visits (handholding, brief hugs); others do not. Follow all staff instructions during the visit.

What happens if your visit request is denied

ADC may deny your visitation request for several reasons: the person in custody has refused visits or placed you on a restricted list, you have a felony conviction that disqualifies you, you provided false information on the form, or you have violated facility rules during a previous visit. If your request is denied, the facility should tell you the reason when they call or write to you.

If you believe the denial is a mistake, contact the facility's visitation office and ask to speak with a supervisor. Bring any documents that support your case — for example, if you were denied because of an old conviction, bring court records showing the conviction was dismissed or expunged. If the person in custody placed you on a restricted list, you can ask them (by phone, mail, or through a lawyer) to request that the restriction be lifted. This process can take weeks or months.

Visitation rules that differ by facility and security level

ADC facilities operate at different security levels — minimum, medium, and maximum — and visitation rules are stricter at higher security levels. Maximum-security prisons may allow visits only on weekends, limit visit length to one hour, or require visits to be non-contact (no touching). Medium-security facilities often allow both weekend and weekday visits and may permit contact visits. Minimum-security facilities typically have the most flexible visitation schedules.

All facilities prohibit bringing contraband into the prison: no drugs, weapons, phones, money beyond the allowed amount, or items the inmate requests. Violations result in immediate removal from the facility, possible criminal charges, and a permanent ban from visitation. Ask the facility what items are allowed before you visit — rules can be specific and change without notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a visit approved after I mail the form?

Most facilities take one to three weeks to process a visitation form. If you mail the form and do not hear back within three weeks, call the facility's visitation office to confirm they received it. Mailing delays can add time on both ends, so submit your form at least a month before your desired visit date.

Can I visit someone who is in solitary confinement or restricted housing?

Visitation rules for people in restricted housing vary by facility and the reason for the restriction. Some facilities allow visits; others suspend them temporarily. Call the facility and ask whether the person is currently allowed visitors. If visits are suspended, ask when the restriction may be lifted.

What if I cannot visit during the facility's scheduled visitation hours?

Most ADC facilities do not grant exceptions to their visitation schedule. If you cannot visit during posted hours, contact the facility's visitation office and explain your situation — they may be able to work with you, but this is not may provide. Some facilities have a limited number of special visit slots for people who travel from out of state.

Can I bring my children to visit?

Yes, but children must follow the same rules as adults: valid ID (birth certificate for young children), approval on the visitation form, and compliance with dress code and security screening. Some facilities have separate visitation areas for families with children. Call ahead and ask whether the facility has family visitation times or special accommodations for children.

What do I do if I was told I cannot visit because of my criminal record?

ADC may deny visits based on certain felony convictions or if you are currently on probation or parole. Ask the facility which specific conviction or status caused the denial. If the conviction was dismissed, expunged, or occurred many years ago, ask whether you can submit documentation to request reconsideration. Some facilities will review cases on a case-by-case basis, but there is no may provide of reversal.