VWHI work in correctional facilities is divided up into these sections:
COUNTY JAILS (MCSO) – 4th Ave, Watkins, Estrella, Lower Buckeye, Towers
STATE PRISONS – Alhambra, Florence, Lewis, Phoenix West
FEDERAL – Men’s & Women’s
MCSO Jail Info & Locations – https://www.mcso.org/i-want-to/find-a-jail-copy
Men’s Units:
Watkins Jail: 2680 S 28th Dr, PHX 85009
Lower Buckeye Jail (LBJ): 3250 W Lower Buckeye Rd, PHX 85009
4th Avenue Jail: 201 S 4th Ave, PHX 85003
Towers Jail: 3127 W Gibson Ln, PHX 85009
Women’s Jail:
Estrella Jail: 2939 W Durango Rd, PHX 85009
Initiate the Jail Access Application by going to https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/ap?AP=1209062215 & fill out the online form. You will be sent the application packet via email from the MCSO Volunteer Coordinator, Valerie Henderson, at V_Henderson@MCSO.Maricopa.gov.
Volunteering
Men’s jails: Women may volunteer but must be accompanied by another person; it does not have to be a male co-chair – it can be 2 women chairing at the men’s jails.
Estrella Women’s jail: Men may volunteer but must be accompanied by another person; it does not have to be a female co-chair – it can be 2 men chairing at Estrella.
Currently only Watkins and Estrella are open to have AA meetings.
Sobriety requirements:
- Two years of sobriety for a volunteer ID Badge
a. Submit MCSO application & required paperwork
b. Request a VWHI Sponsorship Letter from the MCSO Liaison
c. Attend a 3-hour training class
d. Has fingerprints taken at the Sheriff’s office for a full background / criminal records clearance check
e. Once approved by MCSO, volunteer is issued a photo ID
Applicants must be “Off Paper”:
- At least 1 year since serving a term of probation or parole; or since incarcerated on any charge – even if the charge is dismissed.
- Documentation of the end date of probation or parole is required.
- At least 1 year after incarceration resulting from a misdemeanor
- At least 3 years after incarceration resulting from a felony
The “Sponsorship Letter” is from the “Sponsoring Agency” – Valleywide H&I, (not your AA Steps Sponsor), which comes from the MCSO Liaison, David L.
Valleywide H&I MCSO Liaison: David L.: mcso_liaison@vwhi.org
Please feel free to reach out to either VWHI Jail Coordinator or the MCSO Liaison with any questions you may have. Thank you for your interest & willingness to be of service!
Alhambra, Florence, Lewis, Phoenix West
The Arizona Department of Corrections runs these facilities. The approval/badging process is similar for above listed locations. An application, training, fingerprints and TB test are required with 2 years of sobriety. If you have a felony conviction, 3 years sobriety and proof of employment or disability required. You must be “of paper” 5 years. You can apply and they make their determinations on a case-by-case basis. Speakers can go in on a one-time basis, 1 year sobriety requirement. Perryville and Lewis have different requirements than above. See the coordinators for differences.
Florence has several yards and houses men. Some are state run and some are privately run. Women can volunteer. The requirements are similar for both types of facilities. They have a 1-year sobriety requirement and 5 years since a felony. Badging requirements are different for each facility. They need volunteers.
Contact: Florence Prison.
Phoenix West is a privately run men’s facility that houses only DUI offenders. This facility also allows women to chair meetings. The approval process is similar to the state except 1 year of sobriety is required and over 21 yrs old. It is located between Lower Buckeye and Buckeye on 35th Ave.
Contact: Phoenix West Prison.
Alhambra/Aspen is a men’s facility, located at 24th Street & Van Buren. Women can help if accompanied by a man. A badge is required to volunteer.
Contact: Alhambra Prison.
Perryville is a women’s facility, located at I-10 and Cotton Lane in the West Valley. Felons are accepted case by case. 3 yrs “of paper” and 3 yrs sobriety.
Contact: Perryville Prison.
Lewis is a men’s facility but men or woman can chair meetings. The facility is located in Buckeye, Arizona. If you are interested in volunteering, the coordinator will help you team up with someone so carpooling is an option.
Contact: Lewis Prison.
Men’s Medium Security Correctional Facility, Women’s Minimum Security Camp
Both are located North, of the 1-17 and Pioneer Rd. (Past the Carefree exit). Men chair men’s meetings and women chair women’s meetings. The approval/badging process requires an application, fingerprints, and a 4-hour orientation/training at the facility with 5 years sobriety required. (No guest speakers.)
Contact: Federal Corrections.