Arizona prison system to resume in-person visitation next month

PHOENIX — The Arizona prison system said Thursday it will resume in-person visitation and launch a phased reopening of inmate work programs next month.

In-person visitations are set to resume June 19 for the first phase of fully vaccinated inmates, after more than a year of only video call visitations in an attempt to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry announced.

Inmates will be allowed one two-hour block of in-person visits per week, limited to two adult visitors and one minor child.

Visitors will not be required to be vaccinated, but they will have to wear face masks, undergo temperature checks and answer general COVID-19 screening questions.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience as we reopen in phases and continue to follow state and CDC guidelines for congregate care settings to protect those in our custody,” Judy Keane, the department’s director of communications, told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

Families and friends of inmates can visit the department’s website for more details.

The phased resumption of inmate work programs will begin the week of June 6 and continue over the next two months.

“All inmate crews will be monitored closely in collaboration with Centurion, ADCRR’s contracted medical vendor,” Keane said.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Griselda Zetino contributed to this report.

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