Saguaro Correctional Center-CoreCivic

Private Facility

Last Updated: February 23, 2025
Address
1250 E Arica Rd, Eloy, AZ 85131
Beds
1897
County
Pinal
Phone
520-464-0500
Fax
520-464-0599

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Saguaro CC is for Private Facility offenders have not been sentenced yet and are detained here until their case is heard.

All prisons and jails have Security or Custody levels depending on the inmate’s classification, sentence, and criminal history. Please review the rules and regulations for Medium facility.

The phone carrier is Global Tel Link (GTL) - ConnectNetwork, to see their rates and best-calling plans for your inmate to call you.

If you are unsure of your inmate's location, you can search and locate your inmate by typing in their last name, first name or first initial, and/or the offender ID number to get their accurate information immediately Registered Offenders

Satellite View of Saguaro Correctional Center-CoreCivic

You can support your loved ones at Saguaro CC on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 520-464-0500.

Located in Eloy, AZ, Saguaro CC operates as a private contractor with various government agency agreements providing state-minimum custody requirements. Programs are offered to all custody levels, including work release residents focused on reentry success. With a strong emphasis on rehabilitation, Saguaro CC provides comprehensive educational and vocational opportunities. Onsite amenities include dietary, health, fitness, educational, religious, and recreational services. Regular inspections ensure compliance with government standards, ensuring the facility's continued operation.

The Saguaro Correctional Center (SCC), operated by CoreCivic, is a private prison for male inmates located in Pinal County. Established in 2007 for $95 million, SCC serves as a significant facility for the Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Idaho Department of Corrections, housing a large portion of Hawaii's male prison population. Situated in the Sonoran Desert, SCC is strategically located halfway between Phoenix and Tucson, adjacent to other CoreCivic-run prisons such as the Eloy Detention Center, La Palma Correctional Facility, and Red Rock Correctional Center, with Casa Grande being the nearest city offering amenities.

Since its inception, SCC has faced scrutiny and controversy, particularly concerning incidents resulting in the deaths of several Hawaii prisoners between 2008 and 2010. Despite these challenges, SCC remains an integral part of Hawaii's correctional system, with the state annually spending over $60 million to house prisoners there. As of 2010, the facility, designed to accommodate 1,897 beds, houses 1,871 male prisoners. SCC implements stringent security measures, including stun fences, alarm systems, X-ray machines, metal detectors, and security cameras to prevent escapes and ensure the safety of both inmates and staff.

Moreover, SCC endeavors to provide a culturally sensitive environment for Hawaii prisoners, with CoreCivic arranging for the prison to serve a menu tailored to their tastes and observe Hawaii holidays and religious practices. However, concerns have been raised regarding the accountability and transparency of SCC's operations, with critics arguing that the state has not compelled CoreCivic to demonstrate sufficient accountability despite significant financial investments. In response, CoreCivic maintains that the prison undergoes independent audits to ensure compliance with standards and regulations.

Despite the challenges and controversies it has faced, SCC remains a critical component of Hawaii's correctional infrastructure, providing housing and rehabilitation services for a significant portion of the state's male inmate population. Through ongoing efforts to address concerns and improve operations, SCC strives to fulfill its mission of providing secure and humane incarceration while facilitating opportunities for rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society for its inmates.

Inmate Locator

To utilize the Inmate Search page on InmateAid, begin by selecting the relevant prison facility in Arizona. This allows you to view the current list of inmates housed at Saguaro Correctional Center-CoreCivic.

The second section features the InmateAid Inmate Search tool, providing a user-generated database of inmates. You can access this resource to utilize any of InmateAid's services. If you require assistance in creating an inmate profile to maintain communication, please contact us at aid@inmateaid.com, and we'll gladly help you locate your loved one.

As a last resort, you might have to pay for that information if we do not have it. The Arrest Record Search will cost you a small amount, but their data is the freshest available and for that reason, they charge to access it.

Visitation Information

Video Visitation: Contact the state of Hawaii's PSD's mainland Branch at (808) 837-8022 to schedule a video visitation. Video visitation appointments are taken on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.

On-Site Visitation: Visitation for general population inmates will take place on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Tuesday is reserved for Special Management Inmates (Segregation, SHIP, and P.C.) It is the inmate's responsibility to meet with his Unit Team and have the visitor approved. If the visitor is not on the inmate's approved visitation list, the visitor will not be allowed into the facility. CoreCivic/SCC reserves the right to deny any visitors that may cause a threat to the security or orderly operation of the facility.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Private Prisons – FAQs

  1. What is a private prison?
      A private prison is a correctional facility owned and operated by a private corporation under a contract with federal, state, or local governments. These facilities house inmates in exchange for a per-inmate daily fee, which the government pays to the company. Private prisons handle security, food, medical care, and rehabilitation programs, but their goal is to operate profitably, which has led to controversy over cost-cutting measures that may affect inmate welfare.

  2. How do private prisons differ from public prisons?
      Unlike state or federal prisons, which are directly operated by government agencies, private prisons function as for-profit businesses. While they must follow contracted guidelines, they often have different staffing policies, fewer rehabilitation programs, and more cost-cutting measures to increase profitability. Public prisons are held directly accountable to taxpayers and elected officials, whereas private prisons are accountable to shareholders and company executives.

  3. Who owns private prisons?
      The two largest private prison companies in the U.S. are:

    • CoreCivic (formerly Corrections Corporation of America - CCA)
    • The GEO Group
      These companies manage numerous facilities nationwide, contracting with state correctional departments, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Some smaller companies, such as Management & Training Corporation (MTC) and LaSalle Corrections, also operate private correctional facilities.
  4. Do private prisons have different security levels?
      Yes, private prisons operate minimum, medium, and maximum-security facilities, though they primarily house low to medium-security inmates due to contractual limitations. Inmates with violent criminal histories or severe disciplinary problems are often transferred to government-run facilities because private prisons lack the infrastructure and staffing for high-risk populations.

  5. Are private prisons more dangerous than public prisons?
      Multiple studies have shown that private prisons experience higher rates of violence, inmate assaults, and staff turnover than government-run facilities. Cost-cutting measures in staffing and training lead to:

    • Fewer correctional officers per inmate
    • Lower wages lead to high turnover and inexperienced staff
    • Reduced medical care access, contributing to untreated illnesses and mental health crises
      However, some private facilities claim to have lower incident rates due to strict behavioral screening of inmates before placement.
  6. Why do governments use private prisons?
      Governments contract with private prisons to reduce overcrowding, lower operational costs, and provide flexibility in managing inmate populations. When state or federal prisons reach capacity, private prisons act as overflow facilities, housing inmates until space becomes available in public institutions. Some states rely heavily on private prisons due to budget constraints and lack of funding to build new government-run facilities.

  7. Which states use private prisons?
      As of recent reports, the states with the largest private prison populations include:

    • Texas (over 12,000 inmates)
    • Florida (over 10,000 inmates)
    • Arizona (about 8,000 inmates)
    • Georgia (over 7,000 inmates)
      Some states, including California, Illinois, and New York, have banned private prisons for housing state inmates but still allow federal contracts for immigration detainees.
  8. How are private prisons funded?
      Private prisons generate revenue through contracts with government agencies, which pay a fixed daily rate per inmate housed. Additional revenue streams include:

    • Inmate phone services (provided by companies like GTL and Securus, with high per-minute rates)
    • Commissary sales (charging premium prices for snacks, hygiene products, and personal items)
    • Inmate work programs (where inmates are paid as little as $0.12 per hour for labor)
    • Medical co-pays (some facilities charge inmates for non-emergency medical visits)
  9. Do private prisons save taxpayers money?
      Supporters argue that private prisons reduce costs through lower staff wages, fewer pension benefits, and operational efficiencies. However, critics claim these cost savings come at the expense of safety, rehabilitation, and inmate care. Reports indicate that private prisons cut corners on healthcare, food quality, and staffing, which may increase long-term costs due to higher recidivism rates and legal challenges.

  10. Can private prison inmates make phone calls?
      Yes, inmates can make outgoing calls using prepaid phone services such as GTL (ViaPath), Securus, NCIC, Paytel, and IC Solutions. Calls are monitored and recorded, and rates vary by state. Some facilities offer video visitation services, but these are often costly for families.

  11. How do families send money to inmates in private prisons?
      Funds can be deposited through JPay, Western Union, MoneyGram, or facility-approved JailATM kiosks. Private prisons often outsource financial transactions to third-party companies that charge higher fees than public institutions.

  12. Do private prisons offer education and rehabilitation programs?
      Programs vary by contract, but many private prisons offer GED courses, vocational training, and substance abuse counseling. However, these programs are often underfunded, and inmate participation may be limited due to facility staffing shortages.

  13. Do private prisons house federal inmates?
      Yes, private companies contract with the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to house federal and immigration detainees. However, in 2021, the Biden administration ordered the DOJ to phase out private prison contracts for BOP inmates, reducing their role in federal incarceration.

  14. What happens if a private prison contract is terminated?
      If a state or federal agency ends a contract, inmates are transferred to public facilities or another private facility. Some private prisons are repurposed for detention centers, mental health facilities, or immigration housing.

  15. Are private prisons subject to the same oversight as public prisons?
      Private prisons must comply with state and federal laws, but they are not subject to the same transparency requirements as public facilities. Some states audit private prisons to ensure compliance, while others allow more operational secrecy due to corporate protection.

  16. Can inmates transfer from private to public prisons?
      Transfers depend on contract terms, inmate classification, and bed availability. Some inmates are transferred if security risks arise, while others remain in private facilities until their sentence is completed.

  17. Do private prisons have higher recidivism rates?
      Studies suggest that private prisons have higher recidivism rates due to fewer rehabilitation programs, lack of mental health support, and profit-driven incentives to keep beds full.

  18. Why are private prisons controversial?
      Critics argue that private prisons prioritize profit over inmate welfare, leading to:

  • Staffing shortages and high officer turnover
  • Inadequate medical care and long delays in receiving treatment
  • Higher rates of violence and assaults
  • Minimal educational and vocational programs
    These concerns have led to state and federal efforts to reduce reliance on private prisons.

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Ask The Inmate

Connect directly with former inmates and get your questions answered for free. Gain valuable insights from individuals with firsthand experience in the federal prison system, state and county jails, and GEO and CoreCivic-run private prisons. Whether you're seeking advice, clarification, or just curious about life behind bars, this unique opportunity allows you to ask questions or explore answers to previous inquiries from the InmateAid community. Engage in meaningful discussions and get informed perspectives from those who truly understand the system.