Arizona State Prison Complex – Yuma is one of the thirteen prison facilities operated by the Arizona Department of Corrections. Located in San Luis, Yuma County, the facility is approximately 187 miles southwest of the state capital of Phoenix, Arizona. It houses an average population of 4,100 convicted male felons at its minimum, medium, and high custody institutions.
ASPC-Yuma is a maximum-security prison that offers a variety of work, education, and treatment programs. Inmates are assigned to one of the five housing units based on their custody level: Cheyenne, Cibola, Cocopah, Dakota, and La Paz. The facility provides housing for inmates with different custody levels, ranging from minimum to maximum security, and offers a variety of programs to help inmates prepare for re-entry into society.
The Arizona Department of Corrections has come a long way since the Yuma Territorial Prison, which was operational just a mere 100 years ago, paving the way for the Arizona Department of Corrections as we know it today. ASPC-Yuma is an essential part of the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry, and its mission is to provide safe, secure, and humane incarceration of convicted felons.
| Security | Mixed |
| Capacity | 4200 |
| Physical Address | 7125 E. Cesar Chavez Blvd. Yuma, AZ 85349 United States |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 8909 San Luis, AZ 85349 United States |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Saturday – Sunday: 08:00 am – 12:00 pm, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (928) 627-8871 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
Location and History
Geography
Arizona State Prison Complex – Yuma is located in San Luis, Yuma County, Arizona, about 187 miles southwest of the state capital of Phoenix. It is situated about 12 miles south of downtown Yuma and only about three miles north of the Mexican border. The prison complex is spread over an area of 1,107 acres and is surrounded by desert and agricultural land.
History
Arizona State Prison Complex – Yuma has a rich history that dates back to the late 1800s. The first prison in Yuma was established in 1876, known as the Yuma Territorial Prison. It was built to house prisoners who were sentenced to hard labor, and it remained in operation until 1909. Today, the Yuma Territorial Prison is a state historic park that attracts visitors from all over the world.
In 1909, the Arizona State Prison was established in Florence, Arizona, and it remained the only state prison in Arizona until the 1970s. As the state’s population increased, so did the need for more prison facilities. In 1976, the Arizona State Prison Complex – Yuma was established to help meet this need. The complex consists of several units, including the Cibola Unit, the Cheyenne Unit, the Cocopah Unit, and the Dakota Unit.
The Cibola Unit is a minimum-security facility that houses about 1,000 male inmates, the Cheyenne Unit is a medium-security facility that houses about 1,200 male inmates, the Cocopah Unit is a minimum-security facility that houses about 1,000 female inmates, and the Dakota Unit is a medium-security facility that houses about 1,200 male inmates.
Today, the Arizona State Prison Complex – Yuma is one of 13 prison facilities operated by the Arizona Department of Corrections. It serves as a critical component of the state’s criminal justice system, providing housing and rehabilitation services for thousands of inmates each year.
Facilities and Security
Arizona State Prison Complex – Yuma is a modern, medium-security prison that houses about 2,245 inmates in five housing units. Each housing unit has a different custody level, which is determined by the Score Classification System used by the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry (ADCRR). The scores range from 2 to 5, with 5 being the highest risk or need.
The prison offers a variety of work, education, and treatment programs, as well as volunteer opportunities for inmates, religious/spiritual programs, and recreation activities.
Housing Units
The five housing units at ASP Yuma are Cheyenne, Cibola, Cocopah, Dakota, and La Paz. Each unit has a different purpose and is designed to house inmates with specific custody levels.
The Cheyenne Unit, for example, is a maximum-custody unit that houses inmates who require the highest level of supervision and control. The Cibola Unit is a medium-custody unit that houses inmates who are transitioning from maximum to medium custody. The Cocopah Unit is a minimum-custody unit that houses inmates who are nearing the end of their sentences and are preparing for release.
Custody Levels
The custody levels at ASP Yuma range from minimum to maximum, with several levels in between. Inmates are assigned to a custody level based on their score on the Score Classification System, which takes into account factors such as criminal history, offense type, and behavior while in prison.
The lowest custody level is minimum, which is for inmates who are considered low-risk and have demonstrated good behavior while in prison. The highest custody level is maximum, which is for inmates who are considered high-risk and require the highest level of supervision and control.
Security Levels
In addition to the custody levels, ASP Yuma also has several security levels, which are designed to ensure the safety of inmates, staff, and visitors. The security levels range from Level Two to Level Five, with Level Five being the highest level of security. Level Two is for inmates who are considered low risk and require minimal supervision, while Level Three is for inmates who are considered medium risk and require moderate supervision. Level Four is for inmates who are considered high risk and require close supervision, while Level Five is for inmates who are considered the highest risk and require the most intensive supervision and control.
Overall, ASP Yuma is a well-designed and secure prison that provides inmates with a variety of programs and opportunities for personal growth and development. With its modern facilities and experienced staff, ASP Yuma is committed to ensuring the safety and security of its inmates, staff, and visitors.
Programs and Education
Arizona State Prison Complex – Yuma offers a variety of programs and educational opportunities for inmates to improve their skills and increase their chances of success upon release. The complex offers work programs, education programs, treatment programs, recreational programs, vocational training, community betterment, and religious/spiritual programs.
Work Programs
One of the most coveted work programs at ASPC-Yuma is the wildland and fire crew, which teaches inmates to fight forest fires. Other work programs include agricultural work, construction, and maintenance. Arizona Correctional Industries also operates at the complex, providing inmates with job skills and training in areas such as furniture manufacturing, printing, and embroidery.
Education Programs
ASPC-Yuma offers a variety of educational programs, including GED preparation, adult basic education, and vocational training. Inmates can also take college courses through partnerships with Arizona Western College and Northern Arizona University.
Treatment Programs
The complex offers a range of treatment programs to address substance abuse, mental health, and other issues. These programs include individual and group counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and medication-assisted treatment.
Recreational Programs
ASPC-Yuma offers a variety of recreational programs, including sports, arts and crafts, and music programs. Inmates can also participate in hobby shops, where they can learn new skills and create items such as woodwork, ceramics, and leatherwork.
Vocational Training
Inmates can participate in vocational training programs, which provide them with skills and certifications in areas such as welding, plumbing, and electrical work. These programs aim to prepare inmates for employment upon release.
Community Betterment
ASPC-Yuma offers community betterment programs, which allow inmates to give back to the community through volunteer work and service projects. These programs aim to instill a sense of responsibility and civic duty in inmates.
Religious/Spiritual Programs
The complex offers a range of religious and spiritual programs, including religious services, Bible studies, and meditation. Inmates can also participate in chaplaincy programs, which provide emotional and spiritual support.
Inmates can access information about these programs and education opportunities through the inmate search feature on the Arizona Department of Corrections website. Visitors can also find information about visiting hours and events at the complex.
Visitation and Communication
The Arizona State Prison Complex – Yuma allows inmates to receive visits from approved visitors and communicate with them through mail and phone calls. Visitors must follow certain rules and procedures to be approved for visitation.
Visiting Rules
Visitors must be at least 18 years old and provide valid government-issued identification. They must also complete an application to visit an inmate electronically, which includes a background check. Visitors who have been convicted of a felony or have a current warrant out for their arrest will not be approved for visitation.
Non-Contact Visits
Visitors can choose to have non-contact visits with inmates, which take place through a glass partition. These visits are available for both regular and maximum custody inmates and must be scheduled in advance.
Application to Visit an Inmate
Potential visitors and those persons only receiving phone calls from inmates must submit the Application to Visit an Inmate electronically. The application should not be submitted while the inmate is in the intake process at Alhambra or the intake process at Perryville.
Visitation Hours
Saturday and Sunday: 08:00 am – 12:00 pm, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
Inmate Mailing Address
Inmates can receive mail at the following address:
P.O. Box 8909
San Luis, AZ 85349
United StatesCollect Calls
Inmates can make collect calls to approved phone numbers. The cost of the call is charged to the recipient’s phone bill. Visitors can add phone numbers to an inmate’s approved calling list by submitting a request to the prison.
Commissary
Inmates can purchase items from the commissary, such as snacks, hygiene products, and stationery. The cost of these items is deducted from the inmate’s account.
Visitors should familiarize themselves with the rules and procedures for visitation and communication at the Arizona State Prison Complex – Yuma before attempting to visit an inmate or communicate with them through mail or phone calls.