Lewis Prison is a mixed-security prison managed by the Arizona Department of Corrections and located in Buckeye, Arizona, just outside of Phoenix. It currently houses about 4,400 inmates with a maximum capacity of 6,000 inmates. The prison has seven housing units that range from medium to high security.

Directions to get to Lewis Prison in Arizona

26700 South Highway 85
Buckeye, AZ 85326

Main Telephone: (623) 386-6160
Main Fax: (623) 386-7332

Driving to Lewis Prison located in Buckeye, Arizona is quite easy. The prison is approximately halfway in between Interstate-10 and Interstate 8. Coming from the Phoenix Area, simply follow I-10 West until you come up to the AZ-85 S / Phoenix Bypass. Head South on the AZ-85 for about 16 miles and Exit W Patterson Road.

Visitation Information / Contact Information

Visiting hours vary depending on which unit the inmate is housed. In general, regular visitation takes place at all of the housing units on Saturdays and Sundays in four-hour blocks from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. More specific visitation information for each of the seven housing units is provided below:

1. Stiner Unit – Inmates are allowed one four-hour block each week to receive visitors. Before visiting, visitors should contact (634) 386-6160 ext. 4122 or 4179 to confirm the date and time of visitation and the inmates availability. Non-contact visits must be arranged in advance and take place for the Yard Blue side on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and for the Yard red side on Thursdays from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m Detention inmates have non-contact visitation on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and from 12 to 2 p.m.
2. Barchey Unit – Visitors should call (634) 386-6160 ext 4322 or 4323 to confirm the date and time of visitation and inmate availability. Non-contact visitation for this unit takes place on Fridays from 8 to 10 a.m. and must be arranged in advance.
3. Bachman Unit – Visitors should call (634) 386-6160 ext 4522 or 4523 to confirm the date and time of visitation and inmate availability. Non-contact visitation for the yard takes place Monday from 8-10 a.m or 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Detention non-contact visitation takes place on Fridays from 8-10 a.m. or 10:30 to 12:30 p.m.
4. Morey Unit – Visitors should call (634) 386-6160 ext 4222 or 4223 to confirm the date and time of visitation and inmate availability. Non-contact visitation takes place in the yard from 12-4 p.m. for Phase I inmates and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Phase 2 and 3 inmates.
5. Buckley Unit – Visitors should call (634) 386-6160 ext 4422 or 4423 to confirm the date and time of visitation and inmate availability. Non-contact visitation for this unit takes place on Tuesdays from 8 to 10 a.m. and must be arranged in advance.
6. Rast Unit – Visitors should call (634) 386-6160 ext 4622 to 48 hours in advance to schedule a visit. Visitation for maximum security inmates takes place on Thursdays from 8 to 10 a.m. and at 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and inmates are allowed a two-hour block of time for visitation weekly.
7. Eagle Point and Sunrise Unit – Visitors should call (634) 386-6160 ext 4724 or 4720 to confirm the date and time of visitation and inmate availability. Non-contact visitation for this unit take place on Mondays from 8 to 10 a.m. and 12-2 p.m. must be arranged in advance.

Available Education, Treatment and Work Programs at Lewis Prison

Lewis Prison has several Programs in place for inmates, for example, the Work Incentive Pay Plan (WIPP). This program allows inmates to utilize experience and training  in meaningful employment while supporting their needs.

Other programs for education are offered through the Education Department of Lewis Prison. This Department offers special education, mandatory literacy, GED Preparation and vocational programs to inmates. Educators will screen inmates to identify the least restrictive environment for which services can be offered in relation to offender classification and security staff. Inmates that, for safety or health reasons, cannot attend the mandated state and/or federal programs with other inmates in classroom environments will have access to these programs individually through the use of direct instruction, video instruction or computer assisted instruction.

Additionally, inmates may take college level correspondence courses, at their own expense, with onsite education staff assisting with materials and examinations. Academic and vocational programs are provided through partnership between Rio Salado College and the Lewis Prison.

The Religion Department ensures that inmates are provided access to religious activities and religious materials, religious diets and other legitimate requirements of their faith. Counseling and moral guidance is available at all times upon request and consultation with family members is available under some specific conditions.

How Criminal Defense Attorneys at DM Cantor can Help

People who have loved ones incarcerated at Lewis Prison in Arizona, may wonder if there is still any hope that they can one day regain their freedom. The fight for justice does not end after a conviction. A skilled, aggressive criminal defense attorney can assist in many options after a conviction in ways of overturning a conviction, modifying a sentence, or securing other post-conviction relief.

A defendant’s rights to challenge a sentence do not end at conviction. There are six potential ways a defense attorney can help people who are incarcerated regain their freedom. The procedures governing post-conviction relief are often complex, and thus it is beneficial to secure a skilled, experienced criminal defense attorney to assist in the process and ensure no potential grounds for relief are missed.

1. Post-Conviction Relief Petitions

In some cases, defendants may challenge the conviction in the trial court for factors that deprived them of a fair trial. Common grounds for challenging a conviction include ineffective assistance of counsel; newly discovered evidence; and changes in the law. Defendants granted post-conviction relief may be entitled to dismissal of the charges against them; a new trial; or modification of their sentences.

One of the most common grounds for post-conviction relief is ineffective assistance of counsel and is available if a defense attorney fails to vigorously defend the client at trial. In Arizona, defense attorneys may be deemed ineffective if they fail to undertake “meaningful adversarial testing.” Defendants may assert ineffective of counsel, for instance, if their defense attorneys, due to incompetence, make errors that affected the outcome of the case, or fail to call or cross-examine witnesses.

2. Appeals

Defendants may also seek relief in appellate courts to challenge a conviction. In an appeal, defendants may raise errors that occurred during the trial, including errors committed by the trial judge, prosecutors, and defense attorneys. The grounds for appeal are numerous and include improper admission of evidence, constitutional violations, and ineffective assistance of counsel. Coerced admissions, evidence admitted from improper searches, and denial of assistance of counsel are just a few of the many grounds that may form the basis of a successful appeal.

3. Habeas Corpus.

Habeas corpus actions challenge an improper detention in state and federal courts and can be filed at any time during the criminal proceedings. They are commonly filed after all appellate and post-conviction relief options have been exhausted. In addition to challenging improper convictions, habeas corpus can also be used earlier in the proceedings to challenge the amount of bail, extradition procedures and the jurisdiction of the court that sentenced the defendant, particularly in federal courts.

4. Sentence Modifications

After conviction, defendants can petition to have their sentence modified. Defendants may request changes to the sentence as minor as the reduction of probation fees to substantial changes such as reducing the length of confinement. Petitions for sentence modifications are sometimes approved with the consent of the probation officer and prosecutor, particularly when supporting evidence of the defendant’s cooperation and rehabilitation is presented. Character evidence submitted by friends and family help to foster sympathetic feelings toward the defendant by the judge.

5. Early termination of probation

For defendants who are serving probation, a defense attorney can assist in terminating the probated sentence early. An attorney can gather character evidence and package it in a compelling way to gain sympathy for the defendant. In Arizona, many defendants are successful in obtaining early termination of their probation when they have served about half of their probated sentence. With the assistance of aggressive counsel, some probationers have been able to have their probation terminated even earlier. Paying all restitution owed and complying with the terms of the probation are also key factors in successfully terminating probation early.

6. Judgment of Guilt Set Aside and Restoration of Civil Rights

The effects of a criminal conviction can last long after the sentence has been completed and can negatively impact the defendant’s ability to secure employment and vote. In Arizona, one important action for defendants who have completed their sentence is having the judgment of guilt set aside. This action is similar to expungement in other states. One of the most valuable benefits of having the judgment of guilt set is aside is that defendants no longer need to reveal their past conviction on employment applications. Convicted felons may also seek restoration of their civil rights along with having the judgment of guilt set aside to restore their voting rights.

For more information on Appeals, Arizona Rule 32, Sentence Modifications or even Post Conviction Relief (PCR) call and speak with our attorneys at 602-307-0808.