ASPC Lewis - Sunrise Unit

ASPC Lewis - Sunrise Unit basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 623-386-6160

The ASPC Lewis - Sunrise Unit is a state prison located at 26700 S Hwy 85 in Buckeye, AZ in Maricopa County. This State - minimum security prison is operated by the Arizona Department of Corrections to hold inmates who have been convicted to and sentenced for a crime in the state of Arizona.

The inmates housed at the institution are placed according to their custody level (determined by a number of factors including the past criminal history and the length of their sentence). There are ample educational and vocational training programs for all inmates, especially ones that show a willingness to learn new things that will prepare them for a better life when they are released. Arizona's mission is to promote and prepare the offender to leave in better shape than when they arrived, giving them the best chance to never come back and thus lower the state's recidivism rate.

State facilities provide basic living standards to meet most of the inmate's needs, including dietary, health, fitness, education, religious practices, entertainment, and many others. Conditions in these prisons vary within the AZ DOC depend on many intersecting factors including the age of the buildings, the security level of the inmates and budget.

Work Incentive Pay Plan (WIPP): This program allows inmates to utilize experience and training in meaningful employment while supporting their needs.

INMATE EDUCATION PROGRAMS - The Education Department at ASPC-Lewis offers special education, mandatory literacy, GED preparation, vocational programs to inmates. Those inmates who for health and/or safety reasons cannot attend mandated state and/or federal programs with other inmates in a classroom setting are provided access to mandated programs individually through direct instruction, video/closed circuit instruction, and/or computer-assisted instruction. Inmates may also take college-level correspondence courses at their own expense, with onsite education staff assisting with materials and proctoring of required examinations. Academic and vocational programs provide delivery of services through a partnership between ASPC-Lewis Education staff and Rio Salado College. Library services are also maintained for inmates in support of literacy and academic initiatives.

Educators screen inmates for educational needs and identify the least restrictive environment in which those services can be offered in conjunction with offender classification and security staff. The Inmate Program Plan (IPP) process, once implemented, will provide an individualized schedule for each inmate for all appropriate programs, including education and library access on a daily basis. The curriculum materials, assessment materials, and library materials are made available to inmates in all units and managed within the restrictions of institutional security requirements.

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES - The Religion Department ensures that inmates are provided access to religious activities and religious materials, religious diets and other legitimate requirements of their faith. Regularly scheduled worship/study opportunities are provided for the major faith groups including Catholic, non-denominational Protestant, Muslim, Jewish, Native American, and LDS/Mormon. All legitimate religions are accommodated either individually or in scheduled groups when a significant number of that faith group make a request for group worship/study if a qualified religious leader is available, and if logistical issues are satisfied.

We encourage religious visitation between religious leaders and inmates. Inmates may request or consent to a pastoral visit by an accredited minister or religious leader. Groups working with local religious organizations provide qualified volunteers for religious services/studies. Continuous religious education and/or advanced study, including certificate programs and correspondence courses, may be requested through the Complex Senior Chaplain.

Counseling and moral guidance are available at all times upon request and consultation with family members are available under some specific conditions.