Arkansas
When someone you care about is incarcerated in Arkansas, the fastest way to get answers is to start with their specific jail or prison unit. Below you'll find practical, Arkansas-specific guidance on who to call, how communication systems work, how mail is handled, how to add money, and what to expect with visitation.
Facility Info
For urgent questions, call the facility directly. Sheriff's office email inboxes aren't always monitored around the clock, and staff often tell families to...
Read guideWhat to know about Arkansas facilities (capacity, accreditation, and entry rules)
Arkansas facilities vary, even within the same system. ADC describes its mission as tied to public safety, providing a safe and humane environment,...
Read guidePhone & Messaging
In Arkansas county facilities, the phone and video visit system depends on the county. Crittenden County Detention Facility, for example, uses a City...
Read guideMail & Photos
Mail rules change by county, so always use the exact address format the facility publishes. One Arkansas county jail gives an example of addressing a letter...
Read guideSending Money
Deposit options depend on the facility. One Arkansas detention center lists three ways to fund a detainee's commissary account: online using major credit...
Read guideVisitation
Visitation rules look very different from one Arkansas facility to the next, including whether visits are in-person or video. One county jail states visits...
Read guideFind an Inmate
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
Common Questions
Q
How do I set up an account to receive calls or schedule video visits?
Start by confirming which vendor your loved one’s facility uses, then create the account the facility requires. SmartInmate (Smart Communications) advertises that signup is quick and free, and at least one Arkansas facility instructs visitors to use Smart Communications to set up an account to schedule video visitation. For some jails, calls may require a separate vendor account as well.
Q
Where should I mail letters or photos for an Arkansas inmate?
Use the exact address format the facility publishes, and include the person’s name and any required ID or booking number. One Arkansas jail gives an example of mailing to the detainee “c/o” the sheriff’s department at the facility’s street address with a complete return address. Other facilities may require non-legal mail to be sent to a designated P.O. Box for processing.
Q
Will the facility scan incoming mail and make it available electronically?
Some Arkansas facilities say yes. Garland County states that regular inmate postal mail is scanned and made available to inmates through kiosks. Mail handling varies by facility, but in at least one federal system, general correspondence is opened and inspected, while properly marked special mail is opened only in the inmate’s presence.
Q
What are the common ways to deposit money to an inmate's account?
Common options include online card deposits, lobby kiosks, and mailing a money order, but the exact methods depend on the facility. One Arkansas detention center lists online credit-card deposits, a lobby kiosk that takes cash and credit cards, and money orders by U.S. mail. Another Arkansas sheriff’s office page also points families to Tiger Commissary for card deposits.