When someone you care about is housed at La Palma Correctional Center in Eloy, Arizona, maintaining consistent communication is one of the most powerful things you can do for their well-being and for your relationship. La Palma, operated by CoreCivic under an Arizona Department of Corrections contract, uses a combination of approved vendors for phone calls, money transfers, and mail. Here is a practical breakdown of how each system works.
Phone Calls: GTL / ConnectNetwork
Phone calls at La Palma are managed through Global Tel Link (GTL), which operates under the ConnectNetwork brand for family-facing services. Inmates cannot receive incoming calls — they can only make outgoing calls to numbers that have been pre-approved and added to their phone list.
Setting Up a ConnectNetwork Account
To receive calls from your loved one at La Palma, you need to create a free AdvancePay account at ConnectNetwork.com. With AdvancePay, you pre-load funds into your account, and those funds are debited when the inmate calls you. This is the simplest arrangement because once you have funds in the account, you do not need to accept each charge manually.
Alternatively, GTL offers a collect call option where the charge appears on your regular phone bill. However, collect calling is not available on mobile phones and tends to be more expensive per minute than AdvancePay. Most families find the AdvancePay account easier to manage.
Call Length and Monitoring
Like all calls from Arizona state correctional facilities, calls from La Palma are monitored and recorded (except for attorney-client privileged calls). Calls are typically limited in duration. GTL imposes a per-minute rate that is set by the ADCRR contract. The facility's main contact number is (520) 464-3200 if you have questions about phone access for a specific inmate.
Sending Money: JPay, TouchPay, and More
Inmates at La Palma have a trust account (sometimes called a "spendable account" or "book account") that they use to purchase items from the commissary, make phone calls, and pay for other approved services. You can deposit funds into this account through several approved channels:
JPay (Online)
JPay is one of the most widely used money transfer platforms for correctional facilities. Go to JPay.com, search for "La Palma" under Arizona DOC, and follow the prompts to deposit funds. JPay accepts credit and debit cards. Transaction fees apply and vary by deposit amount, typically ranging from a few dollars to around $11.95 per transaction.
TouchPay (Kiosk or Online)
TouchPay kiosks are located in the La Palma lobby for in-person deposits using cash or card. Funds deposited via kiosk are typically transferred to the inmate's account immediately. TouchPay also operates an online portal where you can transfer funds from home. Like JPay, fees apply per transaction.
Money Orders by Mail
You can mail a money order made payable to the inmate. The money order must include the inmate's full legal name and their ADCRR inmate ID number on the face of the money order. Do not send cash by mail. Send to the facility mailing address: 5501 North La Palma Road, Eloy, AZ 85131. Processing time for mailed money orders is longer than electronic options — typically several business days.
Western Union
Western Union is another approved option for sending funds to ADCRR inmates. Use the Western Union Quick Collect service and follow the instructions for Arizona DOC deposits. Western Union offers both online and in-person (at Western Union agent locations) transactions.
Sending Mail and Letters
Postal mail remains one of the most meaningful forms of communication you can maintain with someone in prison. At La Palma, all inmate mail (except legal mail) is opened and inspected by staff. Letters should not include anything that could be removed from the envelope — no glitter, confetti, stickers on pages, or scented paper. Standard white envelopes and standard printer or notebook paper are safest.
Mailing Address Format
Address letters as follows:
[Inmate's Full Legal Name] [ADCRR ID Number] La Palma Correctional Center 5501 North La Palma Road Eloy, AZ 85131
Always include the inmate ID number, which is their ADCRR number — not their Social Security number. Without the ID, mail may be delayed or returned.
Photos and Cards
La Palma follows ADCRR's general policy on photographs and greeting cards. Typically, photos must be standard-size prints (no Polaroids), and certain content is prohibited. Greeting cards are usually accepted but must be flat (no pop-ups or thick attachments). Confirm current mail policies with the facility directly, as policies can be updated.
Email Through JPay
JPay also offers electronic messaging — essentially a monitored email system for inmates. To send a JPay message, create a JPay account, find the inmate by name and ID number under Arizona DOC, and compose your message. The inmate receives it on a JPay device or kiosk within the facility. Responses from the inmate cost a small number of JPay "stamps" that you purchase in advance. Messages are reviewed by staff before delivery.
Practical Tips
- Set up your ConnectNetwork AdvancePay account before your loved one arrives at La Palma — it can take a day or two to verify your phone number.
- Keep a record of every transaction (screenshots, email confirmations) in case there are deposit delays or disputes.
- Ask your loved one to confirm your phone number is on their approved list — calls to unapproved numbers are blocked.
- For the fastest money transfers in an urgent situation, an in-person TouchPay kiosk deposit is typically the quickest route to the inmate's account.