COVID-19 remains a public health threat. Mandatory measures are in effect provincewide.
COVID-19 response: Adult correctional and remand centres
- Public access – No visits from the public until further notice.
- Phone access – Available at all centres.
- Edmonton Remand Centre – Video visits continue.
For more information about Alberta’s COVID-19 response, visit COVID-19 info for Albertans.
Inmate information
There are 8 adult correctional and remand centres in Alberta.
Correctional and remand centres can’t answer questions about:
- whether or not someone is in custody
- an inmate’s criminal record
An inmate may:
- send you mail
- call you from a centre’s phone
Charges, sentences, and court appearances
Call the Resolution and Court Administration Services contact centre at 1-855-738-4747, about:
- charges
- sentences
- court appearances
Inmate phone calls
You cannot call an inmate.
An inmate can call you from a correctional or remand centre.
All phone calls made by inmates are recorded.
Mail an inmate
There are 8 adult correctional and remand centres in Alberta.
If you think a person is incarcerated at a particular centre:
- you may write the person a letter
- your letter will be forwarded if they are at another centre
- your letter will be returned to its sending address if the person is not incarcerated in one of the 8 adult correctional and remand centres
Sending a letter
All incoming mail is searched. If anything illegal is found – like drugs – the mail is given to the police.
The letter cannot contain:
- perfumes or liquids
- contraband
A letter sent to an inmate must be:
- written in normal blue or black ink
- sealed in a basic white envelope
- clearly addressed
- unmarked by stickers, crayon, paint, or marker
Sending money or a package
There are rules about sending money or a package to an inmate:
- check the manual or handbook given to the inmate when they were incarcerated, or
- contact the appropriate centre
Get money to an inmate
You need to know the inmate’s Offender Records and Correctional Administration (ORCA) number to make a kiosk deposit.
You can deposit money to an inmate’s:
- trust account – money in a trust account can be moved to a phone account
- phone account – money in a phone account cannot be moved to a trust account
The quickest ways to deposit money:
- online or by phone
- at the facility
- at a Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) – call your local branch and ask about forwarding money to offenders in custody
Online or by phone
This deposit service is provided by Synergy and there are service charges. You can pay with a:
- credit card, or
- MoneyGram from Canada Post
Learn how Synergy online and phone deposits work
At the correctional facility
Lobby front desk
Staff working at the front desk can put money directly into an inmate’s accounts – there are no service charges. You can make a deposit with:
- cash, or
- debit
Lobby kiosk
Lobby kiosks are provided by Synergy and there are service charges. You can make a deposit with:
- cash, or
- credit card
Learn more about Synergy kiosks
Sending a cheque or money order
There are rules about sending money to an inmate:
- check the manual or handbook given to the inmate when they were incarcerated, or
- contact the appropriate centre
Visit an inmate
In-person visits are not possible at the Edmonton Remand Centre – see the ‘Video conference an inmate section,’ below.
For the other seven centres, arrange a visit by calling the appropriate centre.
All visitors must bring 2 pieces of ID. This includes one government issued photo ID, such as a valid provincial driver's license.
Visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Video conference an inmate
You can talk to an inmate at the Edmonton Remand Centre by video conference from the Visitation Centre. In-person visits aren’t possible.
Step 1. Arrange a time
Call the Visitation Centre:
Hours: 8:30 am to 9 pm (7 days a week)
Phone: 780-638-5454
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Step 2. Go to your video conference
Rules for your video conference will be given to you before your visit – make sure you understand them.
You need to arrive at least 15 minutes before your visit.
Visiting Hours: 9 am to 11 am, 1 pm to 4 pm, 6 pm to 9 pm (7 days a week)
Visitation Centre:
Centre 170
10403 172 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta T5S 1G4