Ely State Prison
Find messaging, video, and phone options for Ely State Prison. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- State Facility
- Security Level
- Maximum
- Inmate Capacity
- Not available
- Established
- 1989
- Operated By
- Nevada Department of Corrections
Ely State Prison Inmate Communication Overview
Ely State Prison is a maximum-security facility operated by the Nevada Department of Corrections, located a few miles outside the city of Ely in rural White Pine County. It opened in 1989 and is Nevada's highest-security prison, housing people who require the most restrictive level of custody in the state system, including Nevada's death row population. Because of its remote location in eastern Nevada, Ely State Prison is one of the harder facilities in the state for families to visit in person.
Communication with someone at Ely State Prison goes through two providers. JPay handles electronic messaging, photo sharing, and money transfers, with an account set up at jpay.com or through the JPay app using the person's name and Nevada DOC identification number. Securus handles phone calls and video visitation through a separate account at securustech.net. Given how far Ely is from Nevada's larger cities, many families rely more heavily on JPay and Securus than on in-person visits.
Ely is roughly a four to five hour drive from Las Vegas and a similar distance from Reno, which makes trip planning important for anyone considering a visit. Some people at Ely are held under especially restrictive conditions, which can affect communication access and monitoring more than at a lower-security Nevada facility. Confirming current visiting and communication rules directly with the prison before making travel plans is worthwhile given the distance involved.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
4569 North State Route 490, Ely, NV 89301
Main Phone
(775) 977-5348
Administrative line — not for inmate calls
Official Website
Visit official siteVisit and Contact Details
Inmate search, mail, visiting hours, costs, commissary, and bail information for this facility.
Inmate name and ID, P.O. Box 1989, Ely, Nevada 89301
Include the inmate name and ID on all mail.
Communication Options
Available communication services at Ely State Prison.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: JPay
Electronic messaging through JPay. Messages are reviewed before delivery, and review times can be longer at maximum-security facilities.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: Securus
Video visitation may be more restricted for people held in higher-security housing. Confirm current access before scheduling.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: JPay
Digital photos through JPay, along with standard physical mail subject to Nevada DOC content rules.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: Securus
Fund a Securus account to accept calls, though call access can vary depending on housing status.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: JPay
Send funds through JPay online, by phone, or with cash at a MoneyGram location.
Communication Providers at Ely State Prison
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
JPay
Used for messaging, photo sharing, and money transfers to people held at Ely State Prison.
View JPay ServicesSecurus
Used for phone calls and video visitation at Ely State Prison.
View Securus ServicesCommunication Rules at Ely State Prison
- JPay covers messaging, photos, and money. Securus covers phone calls and video visits.
- Ely State Prison is Nevada's highest-security facility, so communication access can be more limited for some housing units.
- All communication is subject to review and monitoring by Nevada DOC staff.
- Only approved contacts can message, call, or visit someone at the facility.
- The facility's remote location means it's worth confirming current visiting hours and rules before traveling.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions: Ely State Prison
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I contact someone at Ely State Prison?
- Set up a JPay account for messaging, photos, and money, and a separate Securus account for phone calls and video visits. You'll need the person's full name and Nevada DOC identification number for both.
- Why is Ely State Prison harder to visit than other Nevada facilities?
- Ely is in a remote part of eastern Nevada, roughly four to five hours from both Las Vegas and Reno. Its distance from major cities makes in-person visits harder to plan than for facilities closer to population centers.
- Is video visitation available at Ely State Prison?
- Video visitation through Securus can be available, but access may be more limited depending on the person's housing unit, since Ely holds Nevada's highest-security population. Confirm current access before scheduling.
- How do I find out if someone is at Ely State Prison?
- The Nevada Department of Corrections offers an online inmate search at doc.nv.gov. Search by name to confirm current facility placement.
- How do I send money to someone at Ely State Prison?
- Use JPay online, through the app, by phone, or with cash at a participating MoneyGram location. Deposits are typically credited within one to two business days.
- How do I find or search for an inmate at Ely State Prison?
- Use the Sheriff's office or department of corrections official inmate search or roster for White Pine County, Nevada. If the inmate does not appear, allow 24 to 72 hours after booking and try alternate spellings.
- How do I send mail to an inmate at Ely State Prison?
- Address mail as follows: Inmate name and ID, P.O. Box 1989, Ely, Nevada 89301. Include the inmate's full name and ID on every envelope.
- Can I receive incoming calls from an inmate at Ely State Prison?
- No. Inmates can only call out, so you cannot call an inmate directly. The inmate must call you, and your number must be on their approved list.
- How do I block or stop calls from an inmate at Ely State Prison?
- Contact the facility's phone provider and ask to block the number, or block the number through your own phone carrier. You can also ask the facility to remove your number from the inmate's approved list.
- How do I schedule or cancel a video visit at Ely State Prison?
- Schedule video visits through the facility's video visit provider or visitation system. Cancel the same way, as early as possible, and check the facility's visitation page for its cancellation rules.
Troubleshooting at Ely State Prison
Fix the most common problems families hit with calls, video visits, money, and messaging.
- Why am I not receiving calls from an inmate?
- Inmates can only call out, so you cannot call an inmate directly. If expected calls are not coming through, check your phone's spam or silence-unknown-callers setting, since carriers often block jail numbers. Save the facility's number as a contact, confirm your number is on the inmate's approved list, and check whether your carrier blocks collect or prepaid calls. If several expected calls fail, contact the facility's phone provider support. For Securus, support can be reached at 972-734-1111 after repeated failed calls.
- Why is my inmate not showing up in search?
- New arrivals can take 24 to 72 hours to appear in search results, and people in transfer may temporarily disappear from listings. Try alternate spellings and name variations, and make sure you are searching the right system: the federal BOP locator only covers federal inmates, while county and state searches are separate. Some records are withheld for protective custody or sealed cases. If it has been more than a few days, call the facility's records office.
- I sent money but it is not showing in the inmate's account. What should I do?
- Allow processing time first. Electronic deposits can take hours and money orders can take much longer. Check your receipt and confirm the inmate's name and ID matched. Do not send a second payment until the first one is traced, since duplicate payments are hard to reverse. Contact the money-transfer provider's support with your receipt or confirmation number. If the inmate was recently transferred, funds may follow after a delay.
- Why was my video visit cancelled or cut off?
- Most cancellations come from connection problems or conduct-rule violations. Stay in frame, keep your ID ready, follow the dress code, keep other people off camera, and avoid profanity. Visits can also be cancelled for facility lockdowns or schedule changes. For refunds, contact the video provider's support with your visit details.
- What should I do if the facility changed its communications provider?
- Create an account with the new provider, since old accounts and balances do not transfer automatically. Ask the old provider whether refunds are available for unused balances. Confirm the new provider's phone, video, and messaging setup before your next visit or call.
- Why is my JPay account blocked?
- A blocked account usually means the inmate blocked contact, the account details do not match, or JPay flagged the account for review. Confirm the inmate's ID and facility, check for an 'inmate blocked' message, and contact JPay support if the block looks like an error. See our guide: JPay account locked
Stay Connected with Ely State Prison
Compare all available providers, search for other Nevada facilities, and find the right communication options for your family. Free, with no account required.