Maricopa County-Watkins Jail

You can support your loved ones at MCSO-Watkins Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 602-876-3555.

When someone you care about gets locked up, it's tough to figure out all the ins and outs of jail life. From sending mail to visiting, there are a lot of things to sort out. And getting info about the arrest? Not always easy. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get a handle on how things work here so that you can stay connected and support your loved one behind bars.

The MCSO-Watkins Jail is a detention center located at 2680 S 28th Dr Phoenix, AZ which is operated locally by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Maricopa County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Phoenix Police Department, and the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees arrive at the jail regularly, with some being released on bail, placed under pretrial services caseloads, supervised by probation agencies, or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who are not released await their court appearances at the jail, receiving accommodations including bedding and meals.

You can see all the arrest records for Arizona here.

The Watkins Jail was built in 2020 to replace the now-closed Durango Jail, is a state-of-the-art facility designed and operated based on the principles of strategic inmate management using "Direct Supervision." This approach assumes that most inmates are willing to comply with rules and regulations when staff utilize positive reinforcement, communication, accountability, and mutual respect. By creating an environment with effective supervision and incentives, the facility aims to encourage inmate compliance with jail rules and procedures.

Control of the facility is maintained through its design and operational guidelines, which enhance the safety and security of staff, inmates, and the community. The jail has a capacity of approximately 1,600 beds and houses male inmates classified as medium and minimum security general population. The facility spans 258,000 square feet and features officer workstations centrally located within the housing units, free of walls or barriers, to facilitate direct communication and interaction with inmates.

Watkins Jail offers programs such as Choose to Change and MOSAIC, which are designed to promote positive behavior and assist inmates in making better life choices, thereby helping to end the cycle of reoffending. These programs, alongside the facility's strategic design and management principles, contribute to a safer, more rehabilitative environment for all.

Funds can be deposited into inmate accounts using TouchPay kiosks at the facility, which accept cash and Visa/Mastercard, with funds typically posted within an hour. A service fee is applied. Deposits can also be made via telephone at 1-866-355-9593, online at TouchPay Direct,All incoming inmate mail, including newspapers, magazines, and books, must be sent to the central mailroom at the Lower Buckeye Jail, regardless of the inmate's housing location.

To ensure safety and security, all incoming mail, except legal mail, must be standard postcards between 3.5 x 4.25 inches and 4.25 x 6 inches, written in blue or black ink, and free of defacements or alterations. Unacceptable postcards include those with plastic wrappings or depictions of nudity, weapons, criminal activity, or gang references. All books and subscription publications must be softback and purchased directly from a publisher.

Inmates are released at the ITR Facility and directed to the public parking lot at the corner of Gibson and 28th Drive for pickup. Unauthorized vehicles are not permitted near the main lobby of the ITR building at the Durango Detention Center. Inmates can place collect calls to notify contacts of their pending release. Updated inmate information is available via the "Inmate Information" link on the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office website.