Maricopa County Inmate Records
Maricopa County operates one of the largest jail systems in the nation. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office runs multiple detention facilities that hold thousands of inmates on any given day. You can search for Maricopa County inmate records online through the MCSO website. This page covers how to find jail inmates, request booking records, and access other public records from the sheriff's office in Maricopa County. We include contact information, fee schedules, and links to official search tools that work right now.
Maricopa County Jail Quick Facts
Search Maricopa County Jail Inmates
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office provides a free online inmate search tool. You can look up current inmates by name or booking number. The system shows basic information about each person in custody at MCSO facilities.
Go to the MCSO inmate search page to start. Enter a last name and first name to search. You can also search by booking number if you have it. Results display the inmate's photo, charges, bond amount, and facility location. The data updates regularly but may have a slight delay from real time booking activity. Keep in mind that information displayed is for reference purposes only and may contain errors due to data collection and entry processes.
The search covers all MCSO detention facilities. This includes Fourth Avenue Jail, Estrella Jail, Lower Buckeye Jail, Towers Jail, and the Intake Transfer Release facility. Each location holds different populations based on security level and gender. You can see which facility houses a specific inmate in the search results.
Note: Inmate search shows current custody status only, not historical booking data for people who have been released.
Maricopa County Jail Locations
MCSO operates five main jail facilities in Phoenix. Each serves a different purpose in the detention system. The facilities hold inmates awaiting trial, serving short sentences, or waiting for transfer to state prison. Total capacity exceeds 6,000 beds across all locations.
Fourth Avenue Jail sits at 201 S. 4th Avenue in Phoenix. This is the main intake facility. It has 2,064 beds and processes most new bookings for Maricopa County. Call 602-876-0322 for information about inmates at this location. Estrella Jail at 2939 W. Durango Street houses female inmates. Lower Buckeye Jail at 3250 W. Lower Buckeye Road is one of the largest facilities with capacity for 2,440 inmates.
Towers Jail holds 1,080 inmates at 3127 W. Gibson Lane. The ITR facility at 2670 S 28th Drive has 512 beds and handles intake processing. All facilities are in the Phoenix metro area. Hours vary by location for visitation and other services. Call ahead before visiting any MCSO jail facility in Maricopa County.
Request Maricopa County Inmate Records
You can request copies of jail records from the MCSO Public Records and Request Management Section. This includes booking sheets, arrest reports, and other documents related to inmates in Maricopa County. Some records are available quickly while others take more time to process.
Submit requests by email to PRRstaff@mcso.maricopa.gov. You can also fax requests to 602-876-8308 or mail them to 550 W. Jackson St., Phoenix, AZ 85003. Include as much detail as possible in your request. Provide the subject's name, date of birth, incident date, or booking number. MCSO cannot process vague requests for "all records" about a person.
Pick up records in person at MCSO Headquarters. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $35.00 per document. Call 602-372-5375 for questions about court records from the Clerk of Superior Court, which is a separate office from MCSO.
Note: Medical records and security footage require a subpoena or inmate consent before release in Maricopa County.
Maricopa County Criminal Case Search
Court records provide context for why someone is in jail. The Maricopa County Superior Court offers an online criminal case search tool. This shows charges, hearing dates, and case status for criminal matters in Maricopa County.
Visit the Superior Court criminal case search to look up cases. You can search by defendant name or case number. Results show the charges filed, next court date, and assigned judge. This helps you understand what crimes led to an inmate's current custody in Maricopa County.
The Clerk of Superior Court handles court record copies. Their office is at 620 West Jackson Street in Phoenix. Hours run 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. You can request copies in person or by mail. Court records fees differ from MCSO record fees since they are managed by separate county offices.
Maricopa County Jail Visitation
MCSO currently offers remote video visitation only. All onsite video visits are suspended. You must schedule visits through the ViaPath/GettingOut platform. Remote visits cost $0.25 per minute. Free in person visits are not available at this time.
To set up visitation, create an account at the GettingOut website. You will need to provide identification and pass a background screening. Once approved, you can schedule visits with inmates at any MCSO facility. The platform allows video calls from your home computer or mobile device. Some restrictions apply based on inmate classification and facility rules.
Inmates can also receive funds through third party services. TouchPay handles money deposits for commissary accounts. Call 1-866-355-9593 or visit touchpaydirect.com to add funds. When depositing money, enter the letter P before the six digit inmate ID number. This is specific to Maricopa County jail accounts.
Inmate Status Alerts in Maricopa County
VINELink provides free custody status alerts for Maricopa County inmates. You can register to receive notifications when an inmate is released, transferred, or escapes custody. This service helps victims and concerned parties stay informed without checking the jail roster daily.
Visit vinelink.com to register for alerts. You can also call 1-866-277-7477 anytime. The service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Choose to receive alerts by phone call, text message, or email. Registration takes just a few minutes and remains active until you cancel.
Cities in Maricopa County
Several major Arizona cities are located in Maricopa County. Most do not operate their own jails. Arrestees from these cities are typically booked into MCSO facilities after a brief holding period at city police stations.
Cities with their own short term holding include Mesa, Glendale, Tempe, Goodyear, and Avondale. These facilities hold people for initial processing only. After initial appearance court, inmates who cannot post bond transfer to MCSO jails. The following cities contract with MCSO for detention services:
Nearby Arizona Counties
Maricopa County borders several other Arizona counties. Each operates its own jail and maintains separate inmate records. If you cannot find someone in Maricopa County, check the neighboring county jails.