By Patricia Jones The Pima County Jail roster is the official public system for locating people currently held by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department in Arizona. Most detainees are housed at the Pima County Adult Detention Complex in Tucson, while the Sheriff’s Department also operates a smaller district jail in Ajo.
The online inmate lookup helps families, attorneys and members of the public confirm custody and obtain identifying information needed for visits, mail, telephone accounts, commissary deposits and bonds. Because jail records change throughout the day, important details should be confirmed before making payments or travelling to the facility.
Pima County Jail Address and Phone Number
The main detention facility is:
- Pima County Adult Detention Complex
- 1270 West Silverlake Road
- Tucson, Arizona 85713
- Main jail telephone: 520-351-8111
- Visitation hotline: 520-351-8114
- Jail-record requests: 520-351-8228
- Inmate property information: 520-351-8112
- Sheriff’s Department headquarters: 520-351-4600
- Non-emergency: 520-351-4900
- Emergency: 911
The second county facility is:
- Ajo District Jail
- 1249 West Ajo Well Road
- Ajo, Arizona 85321
- Ajo jail telephone: 520-387-8511
The front desks are closed on county holidays. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is led by Sheriff Chris Nanos, while Chief Scott Lowing oversees the Corrections Bureau.
How to Search the Pima County Jail Roster
The Sheriff’s Department provides an official Inmate Lookup containing a list of people currently held in the Pima County Adult Detention Complex.
The most reliable search method is to use the person’s complete legal name. When the first search does not produce a result, try:
- Searching with only the surname
- Removing the middle name
- Checking an alternative spelling
- Confirming the person’s date of birth
- Waiting for the booking process to be completed
The lookup may provide identifying and custody information such as the inmate’s name number, booking number and housing or pod location. These details are important when scheduling visitation, funding telephone service or addressing mail.
Why a Recent Arrest May Not Appear
Someone arrested recently may not appear immediately because jail employees must complete the booking process.
Booking may include:
- Confirming the person’s identity
- Photographing and fingerprinting
- Checking warrants
- Recording arrest charges
- Conducting medical and mental-health screening
Determining housing and security classification
- Entering court and release information
A person may also be absent because they received a citation, were released quickly, were transferred to another facility or were booked under a different legal name.
People arrested on felony charges are normally booked into the county jail and usually receive release conditions within 24 hours. Many misdemeanor arrests do not result in jail booking, although some do.
An Inmate Listing Is Not Proof of Guilt
A person appearing in the Pima County jail roster has not necessarily been convicted.
The jail holds many defendants who are awaiting an initial appearance, trial, sentencing, transfer or another court decision. The listed charges are allegations recorded during the legal process.
Prosecutors may amend, reduce or dismiss charges. A court may also find the defendant not guilty. The roster should therefore be used to confirm custody rather than determine the final outcome of a case.
Understanding Bond and Release Conditions
After an arrest, Pima County Pretrial Services may interview the defendant and prepare information for the judge conducting the initial appearance.
The judge may:
- Release the defendant on a promise to appear
- Release the person under Pretrial Services supervision
- Set a monetary bond
- Impose additional release conditions
- Order the person held until a later hearing
In some cases, a person may remain in custody without bond until another court proceeding. A defendant or attorney may later request that the court review or change the release conditions.
A blank amount, zero-dollar entry or no-bond status does not necessarily mean that an inmate can leave without payment. It may mean that the judge has not set bond, another charge prevents release or an outside agency has placed a hold.
How to Pay a Bond
Bonds are accepted at the Inmate Accounts Office in the main lobby of the Adult Detention Complex at 1270 West Silverlake Road.
Payment options include:
- Surety or currency bonds posted by bail-bond agents
- Cash through the lobby kiosk
- Credit or debit card through a lobby kiosk
- Online or telephone card payments through TouchPay
- Cash, cashier’s checks or money orders at the Inmate Accounts window
Electronic payment services charge fees. Identification validation is required for bond transactions.
Surety and currency bonds posted by licensed agents can be accepted 24 hours a day. Lobby kiosks are also available 24 hours a day.
The staffed Inmate Accounts window is open:
- Sunday through Saturday
- 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Cash, cashier’s checks and money orders must normally be for the exact bond amount because jail staff do not provide change. The Sheriff’s Department cannot recommend a particular bail-bond company.
Release After Posting Bond
Most bond transactions are processed within approximately one hour, but the complete release process may take as long as five hours.
The facility processes releases between approximately:
8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
For security reasons, inmates are not released between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Someone bonded out late at night may therefore remain at the facility until morning.
Release may also be delayed by:
- Additional charges
- An outstanding warrant
- A probation or parole hold
- A detainer from another county
- Court paperwork
- Identity verification
- Medical or safety concerns
Families should wait for confirmation before travelling to collect an inmate.
Initial Appearance Court Schedule
Initial appearances are conducted by video twice every day. The inmate appears before the judge from the detention facility rather than being physically transported to a courtroom.
The published schedule is:
- Morning court: 9:00 a.m.
- Evening court: 7:00 p.m.
An inmate ordered released during video court is processed after the session ends. The release process may take up to five hours.
Family members should avoid discussing the facts of a pending case during jail calls, messages or social visits because ordinary inmate communications are monitored.
Video Visitation
All ordinary social visitation is conducted through video.
An inmate becomes eligible for visitation after making the first court appearance and being assigned to a permanent housing unit. Inmates serving disciplinary sanctions may temporarily lose visitation privileges.
The available options include:
On-site visit
- One free 30-minute visit per inmate each week
- One additional 30-minute visit for $9 per inmate per day
- Remote visit
- Visits can last up to 15 minutes at a time
- The published rate is 25 cents per minute
Remote visits are provided through ViaPath’s GettingOut service. Prices and provider policies may change, so visitors should check the amount displayed before purchasing a session.
Scheduling a Visit
On-site visits must be scheduled between one and seven days in advance. Same-day walk-in visits are not accepted.
Visitors can schedule online or use the scheduling kiosk in the main entrance lobby. Anyone having technical trouble may contact visitor support at:
855-208-7349
On-site visitors must report to the main jail front desk at 1270 West Silverlake Road approximately 15 minutes before the appointment and present valid photo identification.
Late arrival may result in cancellation because visits begin and end at their scheduled times. Visitation is unavailable on federal holidays.
The Sheriff’s website has displayed overlapping visitation-hour information. Visitors should rely on the available time slots shown in the live scheduling system or call 520-351-8114 before travelling.
Visitor Identification and Rules
No more than four people may participate in a visit at one time. Visitors younger than 18 must remain accompanied on-screen by the adult account holder. Children cannot be left unattended.
Accepted identification may include:
- Driver’s licence
- Arizona identification card
- Military identification
- Passport
- Travel visa
- Border Crossing Card
- Resident Alien Card
- Work permit
The identification must contain a photograph, date of birth and current address. Check-cashing cards are not accepted.
Visits may be ended for nudity, sexual behaviour, intoxication, drug use, threats, gang activity, inappropriate clothing, recording, livestreaming or attempts to conduct a three-way visit.
Both the inmate and visitor must remain visible and identifiable throughout the session. Social video visits are monitored and recorded.
Inmate Telephone Calls and Voicemail
Pima County uses GTL AdvancePay for inmate telephone and voicemail services.
The family member must know the inmate’s nine-digit PIN. This number is created by adding leading zeros to the inmate’s name number until it contains nine digits.
Funds may be added through ConnectNetwork or by calling:
- AdvancePay: 800-483-8314
- Customer service: 866-230-7761
The system accepts qualifying credit cards, debit cards, checks, money orders and Western Union payments.
People can leave an inmate a voicemail by calling:
520-448-3426
The caller must select a language and enter the inmate’s name number. A voicemail can last up to two minutes and costs $2. The charge is deducted from the AdvancePay account and is non-refundable.
How to Send Personal Mail
All personal correspondence must be sent through the United States Postal Service. Letters must use pre-printed or pre-stamped envelopes or metered postage.
Letters written with gel pens are not accepted and may be returned. All incoming mail is subject to inspection, although it is not ordinarily read unless connected with an investigation.
Postcards cannot be larger than:
4.25 inches by 6 inches
A postcard may be rejected when it:
- Has been altered or defaced
- Is enclosed in plastic
- Contains glitter
- Shows nudity or sexual conduct
- Displays weapons
- Contains gang references
Incoming postcards are copied or scanned. The inmate receives an electronic or paper copy rather than the original. The original postcard is destroyed after 14 calendar days.
Before sending ordinary correspondence, obtain the inmate’s pod location and booking number through the official inmate lookup and confirm the current mailing format with the jail.
Books, Magazines and Packages
Softcover books, magazines and newspapers must come directly from the publisher or a widely recognised distributor.
Publications containing explicit sexual material are not accepted.
An inmate must obtain permission before receiving an ordinary package. Authorisation must generally be secured at least five days before the package is mailed. This advance approval does not apply to approved publications sent by publishers or established distributors.
Items already available through the jail commissary cannot normally be mailed to an inmate.
Sending Money by Mail
Money orders and government checks may be mailed for deposit into an inmate’s account.
The envelope must contain only the approved financial instrument. A personal letter or note included in the same envelope will not be delivered and may be returned.
Use this format:
- Inmate Trust Account
- Inmate’s Full Name
- Pod Location
- Booking Number
- P.O. Box 951
- Tucson, Arizona 85702
The pod location and booking number can be found through the official inmate lookup.
Depositing Money in Person or Online
The Inmate Account window accepts:
- US bank checks
- Money orders
- US paper currency
Personal checks and coins are not accepted. The counter does not provide change.
The account window is open daily from:
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Depositors must present valid government-issued photo identification. Online deposits are also available through the Sheriff’s Department’s approved payment service.
Funds may be used by inmates for commissary products and other approved services. A commissary deposit is separate from a bond payment and does not cause an inmate to be released.
Electronic Messages
Friends and family may send electronic messages through ConnectNetwork.
Messages can contain up to 2,000 characters. The published price is 25 cents per message. Approved photographs and short video clips may be attached for an additional charge.
Electronic messages are processed and delivered Monday through Friday. ConnectNetwork’s messaging centre can be contacted at:
877-650-4249
Electronic messages are not confidential and should not be used to discuss the details of a pending criminal case.
Inmate Property
An inmate must submit a Property Transaction form before stored belongings can be released. Only the person named on the form may collect the property.
Property pickup is available:
- Monday through Friday
- 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The property office is closed on weekends and holidays. Valid government-issued photo identification is required.
Property not collected within 45 days after an inmate is transferred may be disposed of. Questions can be directed to 520-351-8112 or 520-351-8281.
Medical Information
Family members may provide the jail with important information about an inmate’s medications, allergies, physical conditions or mental-health needs.
However, the jail generally cannot release medical details or treatment updates without the inmate’s written authorisation.
Urgent safety concerns should be reported directly to the jail. Medicines should not be mailed or delivered without instructions from authorised correctional health personnel.
Requesting Jail Records
Jail records may be requested from:
- Pima County Adult Detention Complex
- Attn: Jail Records Requests
- 1270 West Silverlake Road
- Tucson, Arizona 85713
Message line: 520-351-8228
The requester should provide the inmate’s full name and, when available, the date of birth, name number, booking number and housing location.
Ordinary jail reports cost $5, with an additional per-page charge for reports longer than 20 pages. Medical records, security video, visitation recordings and telephone recordings may require signed releases, subpoenas or court orders.
Using the Pima County Jail Roster Responsibly
The official Pima County inmate lookup is the safest starting point for locating someone held at the Adult Detention Complex or confirming the identifying details needed for jail services.
Custody, housing, bond and release information can change after a court hearing, new charge, transfer or legal hold. Time-sensitive information should be confirmed directly with the jail at 520-351-8111.
Most importantly, an inmate-roster entry documents custody and allegations at a particular point in the legal process. It does not prove that the listed person committed the alleged offence.