Retiring Arizona Prison Watch...


This site was originally started in July 2009 as an independent endeavor to monitor conditions in Arizona's criminal justice system, as well as offer some critical analysis of the prison industrial complex from a prison abolitionist/anarchist's perspective. It was begun in the aftermath of the death of Marcia Powell, a 48 year old AZ state prisoner who was left in an outdoor cage in the desert sun for over four hours while on a 10-minute suicide watch. That was at ASPC-Perryville, in Goodyear, AZ, in May 2009.

Marcia, a seriously mentally ill woman with a meth habit sentenced to the minimum mandatory 27 months in prison for prostitution was already deemed by society as disposable. She was therefore easily ignored by numerous prison officers as she pleaded for water and relief from the sun for four hours. She was ultimately found collapsed in her own feces, with second degree burns on her body, her organs failing, and her body exceeding the 108 degrees the thermometer would record. 16 officers and staff were disciplined for her death, but no one was ever prosecuted for her homicide. Her story is here.

Marcia's death and this blog compelled me to work for the next 5 1/2 years to document and challenge the prison industrial complex in AZ, most specifically as manifested in the Arizona Department of Corrections. I corresponded with over 1,000 prisoners in that time, as well as many of their loved ones, offering all what resources I could find for fighting the AZ DOC themselves - most regarding their health or matters of personal safety.

I also began to work with the survivors of prison violence, as I often heard from the loved ones of the dead, and learned their stories. During that time I memorialized the Ghosts of Jan Brewer - state prisoners under her regime who were lost to neglect, suicide or violence - across the city's sidewalks in large chalk murals. Some of that art is here.

In November 2014 I left Phoenix abruptly to care for my family. By early 2015 I was no longer keeping up this blog site, save occasional posts about a young prisoner in solitary confinement in Arpaio's jail, Jessie B.

I'm deeply grateful to the prisoners who educated, confided in, and encouraged me throughout the years I did this work. My life has been made all the more rich and meaningful by their engagement.

I've linked to some posts about advocating for state prisoner health and safety to the right, as well as other resources for families and friends. If you are in need of additional assistance fighting the prison industrial complex in Arizona - or if you care to offer some aid to the cause - please contact the Phoenix Anarchist Black Cross at PO Box 7241 / Tempe, AZ 85281. collective@phoenixabc.org

until all are free -

MARGARET J PLEWS (June 1, 2015)
arizonaprisonwatch@gmail.com



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AZ Prison Watch BLOG POSTS:


Saturday, August 15, 2009

ASPC - Eyman Prisoner Suicide

Official: Arizona prison inmate dies of apparent suicide

Reported by: Deborah Stocks - ABC15

Last Update: 8/15 8:37 pm

FLORENCE, AZ -- Officials say an inmate has died of an apparent suicide in a central Arizona prison.

According to the Department of Corrections, 30-year-old Erick Cervantes was pronounced dead Friday afternoon at the Arizona State Prison Complex-Eyman.

Officials said Cervantes was serving a 2.5 year sentence for misconduct involving weapons and had entered the facility Sept. 11, 2007. He was being held at a Special Management Unit.

The incident is under investigation by the department.

------------------------

To the family of Erick Cervantes: I didn't publish Priscilla's post but wanted to acknowledge your shock and grief. I'm terribly sorry for your loss. If you need to contact me please use my e-mail mplews@asu.edu. If you have questions for the Department of Corrections, the Constituent Services officer is Betty Cassiano at bcassian@azcorrections.gov. Her number is 602-364-3945.

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1 comment:

Robert Ochoa said...

I don't believe for one second his death was a suicide. Its my understanding that he had weeks left. Why would he or anyone else kill themselves if freedom was only days away. There's a big cover up going on here and it needs to be investigated!!!

May 22, 2014 at 7:17 PM

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