Pima County AZ Jail Details & Overview

The arrest of a friend or loved one often brings on panic and great stress. When someone is being detained in jail, knowing the rules of the facility they are being housed in is essential for those who will write or visit. 

If you are searching for answers to your questions about the Pima County Jail, you have come to the correct place. Here, you will find factual information that should answer almost any question you have asked. 

About Pima County Jail

The Pima County Jail is located in downtown Tucson, Arizona. This facility houses between 1,800 and 2,000 inmates a day, on average. The full capacity of the jail is 2,377. 

The facility features eight stories, housed in a low-rise building. The jail seeks to provide extensive programs and services geared toward helping inmates while in jail and preparing for release into the community. 

Contact Information for the Pima County Jail

The phone number for the Pima County Jail is (520) 351-8111, and the jail is located physically at:

1270 W Silverlake Rd

Tucson, AZ 85713

How to Search for Inmates in the Pima County Jail

Should you need to look up information on an inmate being housed in the Pima County Jail, you can conduct a Pima County Jail inmate search online, the Sheriff's Office offers an online database that allows for inmate searches by the community 24 hours a day. You can also view jail mugshots in Pima county.

To search for information on an inmate, simply type their full name into the search bar. The information is updated regularly, so if you do not see what you need, keep checking back. 

How to Send Mail to an Inmate in Pima County Jail

If you need to send mail to an inmate in the Pima County Jail, understanding and following the rules is essential. Failure to follow the rules could result in your mail being sent back to you, destroyed, or held for evidence for prosecution. 

To send mail to an inmate, use the following address:

Inmate’s Full Name

Pod Location

Booking Number

P.O. Box 951

Tucson, Arizona 85702

You will find the inmate’s pod number by conducting an inmate search above. Please remember to address the envelope properly with your full name and return address, or the mail will be refused and returned to the United States Postal Service.

Consider the following Pima County Jail mail rules:

• Inmates can only receive mail in the form of a postcard. The only allowable size of postcards is 4 ¼ inch X 6 inches.
• Postcards cannot be defaced, altered, covered in plastic or laminated, contain nudity or sexual content, reference gangs, or feature weapons.
• Postcards cannot contain glitter, graffiti, or other embellishments.
• All incoming postcards are checked for contraband and improper materials and scanned electronically to be delivered to inmates and viewable on their tablets. 
• Inmates never receive the original postcard, and these are destroyed 14 days after being scanned and delivered to the inmate. 
• Mail services are provided to inmates Monday through Friday, except on holidays.
• While all mail is subject to being searched, jail staff do not read mail unless an active investigation is in process.
• Inmates or their friends or loved ones may order soft-bound books, publications, magazines, or newspapers, but these must come directly from the publisher. 
• Books, magazines, and publications with nudity or explicit sexual content are forbidden. 
• Incoming mail will only be accepted from the United States Postal Service and no other courier.
• Incoming packages may only be received if an inmate has obtained prior approval. 
• Items available in the jail commissary are not allowed to be shipped to inmates.
• Packages can only be sent five days after pre-authorization has been granted. All packages are opened by correctional officers and searched for contraband before being delivered to inmates. 
• Do not write on the postcard with gel pens, crayons, markers, or metallic pens. 

How to Send Money to an Inmate in Pima County Jail

If you would like to fund an inmate’s account so they can make phone calls, send emails, or purchase items from the commissary, you have a few options. 

Through Mail

You may mail money to an inmate via money orders, cashier’s checks, or acceptable government checks. Do NOT send cash in the mail. All accepted forms of funding will be placed in the inmate’s account upon clearance. 

When sending money to an inmate, use the following address:

Inmate Trust Fund

Inmate’s Full Name

Inmate’s Pod Number

Inmate’s Booking Number

P.O. Box 951

Tucson, Arizona 85702

Please make sure the money order or check is filled out correctly and in its entirety. Ensure your name and return address are clearly marked on the envelope in case the form of payment needs to be returned to you for any reason. 

Online

You also can send money to an inmate’s account online. The Pima County Jail has partnered with TouchPay. You will need to visit https://www.gtlfsonlinepay.com/portal/users/login.php to register for an account. Registration is free and will allow you to send funds to an inmate’s account with ease. 

In-Person

Friends and family can also fund an inmate’s account by visiting the Inmate Account Window at Pima County Jail. You may pay with exact change in cash, and no change will be provided. You can also fund an inmate’s account by presenting United States bank checks or money orders.

Video Visitation at Pima County Jail

Once an inmate has made their first court appearance and been assigned a permanent pod, they are granted video visitation privileges. All visitations are conducted via video. 

Each inmate receives one free 30-minute video visit a week. Additional on-site visits cost $9.00 per day for 30-min visits. Remote video visits can last up to 15 minutes for a cost of $0.25 a minute. 

If you would like to participate in video visits with an inmate, you will first need to register for an account. After registering and funding the account, inmates may initiate a video visitation with friends and loved ones without scheduling an appointment. 

Visitation Hours

Monday through Friday-7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Saturdays and Sundays-8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

No visitations are allowed on federal holidays.

On-Site Video Visitation Rules

• All visitors must arrive at the jail no later than 15 minutes before their visitation time.
• On-site video visitations must be scheduled online or in person using the kiosk in the jail lobby. 
• Accounts will not be approved for visitation without a valid government-issued photo ID.
• If you are experiencing issues scheduling a video visitation, please call 855-208-7349. 
• On-site visitations are subject to being canceled due to unforeseen lockdowns. 
• Inmates who are in disciplinary lockdown are not allowed to have visitors.
• Lockers are available for visitors to secure their belongings without charge. 

Do NOT bring the following items:

• Baby strollers, carriers, or diaper bags
• Cosmetics of any kind
• Pencils or pens
• Cell phones or cameras
• Foods and beverages
• Photos, notes, or letters
• Purses, backpacks, or sunglasses
• Cutting tools
• Weapons of any kind
• Tobacco products
• Lighters or matches
• Caustic substances
• Glass or keys
• Medications, except those allowed upon inspection

Rules for On-Site and Remote Visitations

• No sexual acts, behaviors, or conversation
• No nudity – all visitors must remain fully dressed
• No gang signs or promoting gang activity
• No acts or behaviors that are illegal
• No irrational behavior or inappropriate conduct