Arizonans Against Privatizing Public Safety and Prisons

Here's the link to an AZ anti-privatization Facebook group: Arizonans Against Privatizing Public Safety and Prisons.

There's over 500 members; not abolitionists, but organized against privatization of AZ prisons. I just became a fan, myself. There appear to be a lot of state employees here. They really look like they've been on top of this awhile, and actively agitating - they even have Russ Pearce on paper promising not to privatize the state prison system:

From Russell Pearce:

"I appreciate the concern, however let me set the record straight. NOT TRUE. I did not sponsor that issue. It was sponsored in the House. In the Senate Senator Steve Pierce (not me) and Senator Al Melvin looked into this issue and rejected it. I also rejected it. It was put into the budget. We all voted on the budget as a package deal. The privatization of our Prison system will not happen. No one wants to buy existing facilities and run them. I have called the Governor's Office and encouraged them to reject any offers if they come and I do not believe they will get any offers."...

Good job, folks.  

Those interested in keeping up with stuff on AZ prisons not necessarily hitting mainstream media, check out Jennifer Waite's page at Associated Content. She used to work for the AZ Department of Corrctions, and has some interesting perspectives and connections.