Palmer Correctional Center: General Overview
Palmer Correctional Center is a state-run, medium-security facility located in Palmer, Alaska. It houses both sentenced and pretrial male inmates, offering rehabilitation, vocational training, and educational opportunities. After a five-year closure due to budget cuts, the prison reopened in 2021 following extensive renovations, now accommodating up to 514 inmates. With its focus on rehabilitation, Palmer provides programs in adult basic education, GED certification, and vocational skills like welding and small engine repair, aiming to reduce recidivism and prepare inmates for successful reentry into society.
The facility is known for its scenic location in the Talkeetna Mountains, offering more desirable living conditions compared to other prisons, with dormitory-style housing and an emphasis on outdoor and recreational activities.
Contact Information for Palmer Correctional Center
- Address: Mile 58, Old Glenn Highway, PO Box 919, Palmer, AK 99645
- Phone Number: 907-745-5054
- Email: Available upon direct request from the facility or Alaska Department of Corrections website
- Website: Alaska DOC
Palmer Correctional Center Visiting Information
Visitation at Palmer Correctional Center is available on weekends, with visiting hours from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on both Saturday and Sunday. Visits must be scheduled in advance and visitors are expected to adhere to strict guidelines, including dress codes and behavioral protocols. During the visit, you’ll go through a security check and must arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled time.
Visitors are encouraged to bring government-issued identification and are prohibited from bringing personal items like cell phones or handbags into the visitation area. The facility provides lockers for storing belongings.
How to Book a Visit at Palmer Correctional Center
To book a visit at Palmer Correctional Center, contact the facility directly at 907-745-5054 or visit the Alaska Department of Corrections website for more information. You will need to provide the inmate’s full name and ACOMS (Alaska Correctional Offender Management System) number. Visitors must be on the approved visitation list, which the inmate must submit to the prison administration.
Each inmate is allowed a certain number of visits per month, depending on behavior and institutional rules. Up to three visitors can attend a visit at the same time.
How to Get to Palmer Correctional Center
Palmer Correctional Center is located at Mile 58 of the Old Glenn Highway, approximately 10 miles north of Palmer in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. The facility is easily accessible by car from Anchorage, which is about 45 miles south via the Glenn Highway. There is parking available on-site for visitors.
What is Palmer Correctional Center Like for Inmates?
Life inside Palmer Correctional Center is designed to balance security with rehabilitation. The prison offers dormitory-style housing with windows that provide mountain views, and it features outdoor recreation areas and a gym for medium-security inmates. The emphasis on educational and vocational programs aims to equip inmates with skills for life after release.
Despite these efforts, like many prisons, Palmer faces challenges such as inmate overcrowding and safety concerns, which have been raised by advocacy groups like the ACLU. Recent news also highlights concerns about the growing inmate population and questions around Alaska’s criminal justice reform.
Famous Prisoners at Palmer Correctional Center
While Palmer Correctional Center does not have the same notoriety as some larger U.S. prisons, it has housed several individuals connected to high-profile cases in Alaska. Information about specific inmates is typically kept private due to security and legal concerns.
FAQs about Palmer Correctional Center
Where is Palmer Correctional Center located? Palmer Correctional Center is located at Mile 58 Old Glenn Highway, in Palmer, Alaska.
What security level is Palmer Correctional Center? Palmer Correctional Center is a medium-security facility, housing both pretrial and sentenced male inmates.
How can I contact an inmate at Palmer Correctional Center? Inmates can be contacted by mail or through scheduled phone calls using Securus Tech. Direct inmate calls are not allowed.
What are the visiting hours at Palmer Correctional Center? Visiting hours are from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Visits must be scheduled in advance.
What type of rehabilitation programs are offered? Palmer Correctional Center offers educational programs such as GED classes, as well as vocational training in welding, small engine repair, and other trades.
How do I send mail to an inmate at Palmer Correctional Center? Mail should be addressed to the inmate using their full name and ACOMS number, followed by the prison’s address (PO Box 919, Palmer, AK 99645).
Can I send books or magazines to inmates? Yes, but all books and magazines must come directly from approved publishers like Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
What is the capacity of Palmer Correctional Center? The facility has a maximum capacity of 514 inmates.
Is there parking available for visitors? Yes, visitors can park in the designated lot at the facility.
What items can I bring to a visit? Visitors are allowed to bring photo identification and a locker key if using on-site storage. All other items must remain outside the visitation area.
Conclusion
Palmer Correctional Center, with its emphasis on rehabilitation and reentry programs, serves an important role in Alaska’s correctional system. While life inside the prison can be challenging, efforts are made to provide inmates with the tools they need for personal development. Whether you are visiting a loved one or looking to understand the facility’s offerings, Palmer Correctional Center continues to be a significant part of Alaska’s justice landscape.
Sources:
- Alaska Public Media
- Alaska Prison Roster
- InmateAid