Alaska State Prisons
13 facilities- AK DOC-Anchorage Correctional Complex (ICE)
- AK DOC-Anvil Mountain Correctional Center (AMCC)
- AK DOC-Fairbanks Correctional Center (FCC)
- AK DOC-Goose Creek Correctional Center (GCCC)
- AK DOC-Hiland Mountain Correctional Center (HMCC)
Alaska County Jails
4 facilitiesAlaska Department of Corrections
Alaska uses VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) for inmate location searches. Alaska is unique - the state operates all detention facilities since Alaska has no county governments. Search by name or DOC ID.
The official inmate search is available at vinelink.vineapps.com/search/AK. Alaska federal inmates are often housed at FCI Sheridan (OR) or FDC SeaTac (WA) due to lack of federal facilities in-state.
Visitation in Alaska Facilities
Visitor approval is facility-specific. Alaska's remote geography makes in-person visitation extremely difficult for many families - video visitation through GTL is widely available and strongly recommended. Most facilities require a visitor application and background screening.
Always confirm visiting schedules directly with the facility before traveling. Find specific visitation rules on each facility's page in our Alaska prison directory.
Sending Mail to Alaska Inmates
Alaska DOC requires full name and DOC ID on all mail. Some remote facilities have limited mail days - typically 3x per week. Electronic messaging through GTL ConnectNetwork is often faster than physical mail for Alaska's remote facilities.
InmateAid delivers letters and photos, postcards, and magazines to Alaska facilities. Want to receive letters without sharing your home address? Our Letters From Inmates service scans and delivers inmate mail to your account.
Phone Calls from Alaska Facilities
Alaska is not currently among the states that offer free inmate phone calls. GTL/ViaPath holds the Alaska DOC contract.
Following the FCC's Martha Wright-Reed Order (effective April 6, 2026), per-minute rates for inmate calls are now federally capped at state and federal facilities. Find current carrier and rate information on each facility's page in our Alaska prison directory.
Sending Money to Alaska Inmates
Commissary funds let inmates purchase approved items from the facility store. Primary money transfer options for Alaska:
- JPay
- GTL ConnectNetwork
- Money orders mailed to facility
See our Send Money guide or navigate to the specific facility page for current provider information.
Reentry Resources in Alaska
Planning for release is one of the most important things a family can do. These organizations provide support in Alaska:
- Alaska DOC Reentry - Official reentry programs and community resources
- Alaska Legal Services Corporation - Free civil legal help statewide
- Akeela Inc. - Substance abuse treatment and reentry support
- Bean's Cafรฉ - Anchorage services including reentry support
Frequently Asked Questions About Alaska Prisons
Why does Alaska have so few county jails?
Alaska abolished county-level government decades ago - the state is divided into boroughs, but most boroughs are not required to and do not operate their own jails. As a result, the Alaska Department of Corrections operates virtually all detention facilities in the state, from maximum-security prisons to facilities that in other states would be local jails. This unified system creates unique problems: when the state system is overcrowded, there is no county overflow option, and Alaska inmates are sometimes sent to privately-operated facilities in other states. For families, the practical consequence is that there is only one system to search and one set of rules to understand, but facilities can be extremely remote even within Alaska's own vast borders - driving 300 miles to visit is not unusual.
How do I visit someone at Spring Creek in Seward?
Spring Creek is about 125 miles south of Anchorage via the Seward Highway - plan for roughly 2.5 hours of driving in good conditions, significantly longer in winter. The Seward Highway is one of the most scenic but also one of the most dangerous roads in Alaska - check road conditions through 511.alaska.gov before you travel, and do not attempt the drive in a storm or after dark in winter. All visitors must be pre-approved on the inmate's visitor list - call Spring Creek at 907-224-8200 to request visitor applications and confirm current visiting hours. Contact visits are typically on weekends, but schedules do change. Given the distance and road conditions, video visitation through GTL ConnectNetwork is a practical alternative for most families, especially during Alaska's long winters.
Can I send photos to an Alaska DOC inmate?
Yes, with restrictions that apply across most Alaska DOC facilities. Photos must be standard 4x6 prints on photo paper - no Polaroids, no copies printed on regular paper, no photos with explicit content, no photos depicting drugs, weapons, or gang-related imagery. Most facilities limit the number of photos per envelope - typically 5 to 10, sometimes fewer. Photos must be sent inside a letter envelope, not in a separate package. The easiest compliant option is InmateAid's Letters & Photos service, which prints and formats photos to meet Alaska DOC requirements before delivery. If you're sending photos directly, always check the specific facility's current photo policy before mailing - rules vary by facility and security level, and a rejected package means your mail comes back without clear explanation.
Does Alaska have free inmate phone calls?
No - Alaska has not eliminated per-minute charges for inmate calls. GTL/ViaPath holds the Alaska DOC contract for most facilities. The FCC's April 2026 rate caps reduced rates from historical levels, but calls are still charged per minute. Given Alaska's extreme geography - families may be in Anchorage trying to reach someone at Spring Creek, or on a remote island trying to reach someone in Fairbanks - phone calls are often the primary connection families have, making the cost especially significant. GTL ConnectNetwork's electronic messaging service is available at most facilities and is often more affordable than voice calls for regular contact. Video calls through GTL are also an option and can feel more personal when in-person visits require a long and expensive journey.
How do I find a federal inmate from Alaska?
Federal inmates from Alaska are not housed in Alaska - there are no federal prisons capable of holding sentenced federal inmates long-term in the state. Alaska federal inmates are typically sent to FCI Sheridan in Oregon or FDC SeaTac in Washington state, though transfers to other BOP facilities throughout the country do occur during a sentence. Use the Bureau of Prisons inmate locator at bop.gov to find current location - search by first and last name, or by BOP register number if you have it. The BOP locator updates in near-real-time, so a recent transfer should appear within a day or two. Federal inmates can be transferred multiple times without much advance notice to families - bookmark the locator and check it regularly if your inmate is approaching a program change or release.
What is GTL ConnectNetwork?
GTL ConnectNetwork is the digital communication platform used at most Alaska DOC facilities. Through ConnectNetwork, you can send electronic messages, digital photos, and e-cards, set up video visits, and deposit money to your inmate's phone account - all from the ConnectNetwork website or mobile app at connectnetwork.com. Electronic messages are typically delivered within a few hours and cost significantly less than voice calls, making them the most affordable way to stay in regular contact with someone at an Alaska facility. Video visits require scheduling in advance and are conducted through tablets at the facility. Given Alaska's remote geography and the difficulty of in-person visitation for many families, GTL ConnectNetwork is one of the most valuable tools available - if you haven't set up an account, do it today.