Penmate Inmate Support Guides
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How to apply for visitation or phone privileges at ASPC‑Y Dakota Unit

Getting approved at ASPC‑Y Dakota Unit starts with one step: submit the Application to Visit an Inmate electronically. Most delays come from missing fields, missing documents, or missing payment.

• 3 min read • corrections.az.gov
How to apply for visitation or phone privileges at ASPC‑Y Dakota Unit

You'll need to submit the electronic Application to Visit an Inmate to get approved for visitation at ASPC‑Y Dakota Unit. Planning to skip visits and just receive phone calls? You still need to submit the same application. The difference is the fee - phone-only recipients apply but don't have to pay the $25 background check fee.

Note: Approval doesn’t start until the electronic application is submitted, even for phone-only privileges.

Fill out every field before you hit submit. ADCRR is clear that completeness matters, and submitting the form means you're attesting that everything is truthful and accurate. A blank or incorrect field can slow things down - or derail your application entirely. Take a few extra minutes to double-check before sending.

  • ✓ Your full legal name (match your ID)
  • ✓ Your date of birth
  • ✓ Your relationship to the inmate
  • ✓ The inmate’s identifying information (including the correct unit)
  • ✓ Your current contact phone number

Most adult applicants pay a one-time background check fee. If you're applying for in-person visits, phone, or video visits, you'll owe a non-refundable $25 background check fee. Applying for phone calls only? You still submit the regular application, but you don't pay the $25.

Remember: The $25 background check fee is one-time and non-refundable for adult visitors; phone-only applicants don’t pay it, but they still must apply.

Timing matters. Any background-check fee and required supporting documents must reach ADCRR within 30 days of your application date. Miss that window, and your application is considered incomplete - it won't be processed.

  1. Submit the application electronically - this starts your request for visitation or phone privileges.
  2. Send any required payment and supporting documents right away - they must be received within 30 days of the application date, or your application will be treated as incomplete.
  3. Make sure everything is received within the 30-day window - if payment/documents don’t arrive in time, the application won’t be processed.

Once ADCRR has your payment (if applicable) and supporting documents, expect up to 60 days for processing. ADCRR has also noted that system changes may cause additional delays, so timelines could stretch beyond what you expect.

When a decision is made, ADCRR notifies the inmate - not you directly. It’s then the inmate’s responsibility to let you know whether you’ve been approved for visitation or phone privileges.

Note: If ADCRR is in the middle of a systems change, processing may be delayed. Submitting duplicates only creates confusion - focus on getting one complete application in with all required items on time.

Stop: Don’t submit a visitation or phone-call application while the inmate is in intake at Alhambra or Perryville - applications submitted during intake may be rejected.

How to apply for visitation or phone privileges at ASPC‑Y Dakota Unit

Pre Submit Checklist

  • ✓ Submit the Application to Visit an Inmate electronically (required for visits and for phone-only privileges)
  • ✓ Complete every field before submitting (you’re attesting the information is true and accurate)
  • ✓ Have the inmate’s identifying information ready, including the correct unit (Dakota)
  • ✓ Be ready to provide any required supporting documents
  • ✓ If a fee applies to you, make sure payment is sent so it’s received within 30 days of the application date

Fee reminder: Adult visitors applying for in-person, phone, or video visits pay a one-time, non-refundable $25 background check fee; phone-only recipients still apply, but don’t pay the $25.

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