Spring Creek Correctional Center
Find messaging, video, and phone options for Spring Creek Correctional Center. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- State Facility
- Security Level
- Close
- Inmate Capacity
- 500 approx.
- Established
- 1988
- Operated By
- Alaska Department of Corrections (ADOC)
Spring Creek Correctional Center Inmate Communication Overview
Spring Creek Correctional Center is a close-security state prison operated by the Alaska Department of Corrections, located in Seward on the Kenai Peninsula, roughly 125 miles south of Anchorage. Opened in 1988, it is Alaska's only maximum and close-security institution for adult male inmates and houses the state's most serious long-term offenders, including those on death row in a non-execution state. Seward is a small coastal city at the head of Resurrection Bay, known primarily for its fishing and tourism industries. The prison sits above the town on a hillside overlooking the bay, and its remote location relative to Anchorage and Fairbanks affects how families plan contact.
Communication at Spring Creek follows Alaska Department of Corrections provider contracts. JPay handles electronic messaging, photo sharing, and money transfers. Families create a JPay account and add the inmate using their Alaska DOC number to begin sending messages and photos. GTL manages phone calls and video visitation under the ADOC statewide contract. The two-platform model applies here as it does across Alaska state facilities: JPay for messaging and money, GTL for phone and video, each requiring a separate account and separate funding.
Seward is accessible by road from Anchorage via the Seward Highway, a drive of about two and a half hours in good conditions. However, the Seward Highway is frequently affected by winter weather, avalanche closures, and seasonal road conditions, making in-person visits from Anchorage unpredictable for much of the year. For families in Fairbanks or rural Alaska, the distance makes regular in-person visits impractical. JPay messaging and GTL video visits are the most reliable options for consistent contact regardless of season. Alaska DOC accounts work across all state facilities if an inmate is transferred.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
3600 Bette Cato Drive, Seward, AK 99664
Main Phone
(907) 224-8200
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, DOC Number, Spring Creek Correctional Center, 3600 Bette Cato Avenue, Seward, AK 99664. Include the inmate's full name and Alaska DOC number on the envelope.
Include the inmate name and ID on all mail.
Visiting Hours
Visiting hours are Sunday through Saturday, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Visits are by appointment only and must be scheduled 24 hours in advance by calling 907-224-8124. Evening visitation is suspended.
Communication Options
Available communication services at Spring Creek Correctional Center.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: JPay
Full JPay messaging available. Requires Alaska DOC number.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: GTL
Remote video visits available. Especially practical given the remote Seward location.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: JPay
Digital photos via JPay. Subject to ADOC content guidelines.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: GTL
Inmate-initiated calls via GTL. Fund AdvancePay account to receive calls.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: JPay
Trust account deposits via JPay for commissary and personal purchases.
Communication Providers at Spring Creek Correctional Center
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
JPay
Electronic messaging, photo sharing, and trust account deposits. Uses Alaska DOC number.
View JPay ServicesGTL
Phone calls and video visitation under the Alaska DOC statewide contract.
View GTL ServicesCommunication Rules at Spring Creek Correctional Center
- JPay and GTL are separate platforms. Messaging stamps and phone funds are not interchangeable.
- The Seward Highway can be closed by avalanche or weather, plan in-person visits with flexibility.
- Messages are reviewed by ADOC staff before delivery.
- ADOC system-wide accounts carry over if the inmate transfers to another Alaska facility.
- Senders must be on the inmate's approved contact list.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions: Spring Creek Correctional Center
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I send a message to someone at Spring Creek Correctional Center?
- Create a JPay account at jpay.com and add the inmate using their Alaska DOC number. Purchase stamps and compose your message. ADOC staff review messages before delivery, typically within 24 to 48 hours.
- How do I set up phone calls from Spring Creek?
- Phone calls use GTL. Create an account at telmate.com or through the GTL Connect app. Set up a prepaid AdvancePay account linked to your phone number and add funds. The inmate will call you from facility phones.
- How far is Spring Creek from Anchorage?
- Spring Creek is in Seward, about 125 miles south of Anchorage via the Seward Highway, roughly a two and a half hour drive in good conditions. The highway is one of the most scenic in Alaska but is subject to closures due to avalanches and winter weather. Plan visits with flexibility and check road conditions before traveling.
- Is video visitation available at Spring Creek?
- Yes, through GTL. Remote video visits are available and are especially practical for families in Anchorage, Fairbanks, or rural Alaska who cannot easily make the drive to Seward. Log into your GTL account, search for Spring Creek Correctional Center, and schedule an available slot in advance.
- How do I send money to a Spring Creek inmate?
- Trust account deposits are made through JPay. Log in, go to Send Money, and select Spring Creek Correctional Center. Add funds via debit or credit card. Processing typically takes one to two business days.
- How do I address mail to someone at Spring Creek Correctional Center?
- Address the envelope with the inmate's full name and Alaska DOC number, followed by Spring Creek Correctional Center, 3600 Bette Cato Avenue, Seward, AK 99664. All mail is inspected before delivery, so do not send cash, stamps, or prohibited items.
- Can I call an inmate at Spring Creek directly?
- No. Inmates cannot receive incoming calls. They place outgoing calls to numbers on their approved call list through GTL, so set up a GTL AdvancePay account and make sure your number is approved.
- Why did my calls from Spring Creek stop coming through?
- Calls stop when the GTL account runs out of funds, the number is removed from the inmate's call list, or the inmate's phone privileges change. Check your GTL balance first, then confirm with the inmate that your number is still on the approved list.
- Why is my JPay message to Spring Creek still pending?
- ADOC staff review messages before delivery, which can take 24 to 48 hours. If a message stays pending longer, check that you entered the correct Alaska DOC number and that you are on the inmate's approved contact list.
- What happens to my JPay and GTL accounts if my loved one transfers from Spring Creek?
- Alaska DOC accounts carry over if the inmate transfers to another Alaska facility. You do not need a new JPay or GTL account, but confirm the new facility's visiting and phone rules, since they can differ.
Troubleshooting at Spring Creek Correctional Center
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.
- 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
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