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



INDIGENOUS ACTION MEDIA

INDIGENOUS ACTION MEDIA
ANTICOLONIAL zines, stickers, actions, power

Taala Hooghan Infoshop

Taala Hooghan Infoshop

Kinlani/Flagstaff Mutual AID

Kinlani/Flagstaff Mutual AID

MASS LIBERATION AZ

MASS LIBERATION AZ
The group for direct action against the prison state!

Black Lives Matter PHOENIX METRO

Black Lives Matter PHOENIX METRO
(accept no substitutions)

BLACK PHX ORGANIZING COLLECTIVE

BLACK PHX ORGANIZING COLLECTIVE

BLACK PEOPLE's JUSTICE FUND

BLACK PEOPLE's JUSTICE FUND

PHOENIX: Trans Queer Pueblo

PHOENIX: Trans Queer Pueblo

COVID Mutual AID PHOENIX

COVID Mutual AID PHOENIX
AZ Prison Watch BLOG POSTS:


Thursday, November 5, 2009

Voces Con Poder Fundraiser

More from matt:
_____

This group grew out of Unidos en Arizona.  Please help support them if you can.

Copacabana Night Fundraiser

Start Time:
Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 6:00pm
End Time:
Sunday, November 15, 2009 at 12:00am
Location:
The clubhouse
Street:
222 W Clarendon
City/Town:
Phoenix, AZ

Come join us for a fun night with live music, hors d'oeuvres, raffle drawings and more.

Voces con Poder / Voices of power is hosting a fundraiser on Saturday November 14th from 6pm to 12am.

Your $7 donation will get you an entry ticket into the main drawing.
You may also purchase two tickets for $10.

Donations accepted at the event and through paypal:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=R7DG7BHXUKC5S&lc=US&item_name=Voces%20con%20Poder%20%2f%20Voices%20of%20Power&item_number=2009&currency_code=USD&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF%3abtn_donateCC_LG%2egif%3aNonHosted

Don't miss out.

We present forums for the Hispanic community on the importance of creating support groups and having a preparation plan for difficult situations we face like "the separation of families" we often see here in Maricopa County. We are raising funds for materials especially a projector.

Here is more information about the group...

One of the group's main objectives is to achieve political and social strengthening of the Hispanic community through information sharing and organized efforts. To achieve this requires creating an awareness in every member of our community about the need to participate in the tasks of organizing. Because only through a fraternal unity and our organized efforts can we achieve the objectives that we propose. We invite you to join the struggle and resistance.

For questions please contact us at 623-518-7927

Email: vocesconpoder@riseup.net

Voces on Poder tiene como uno de sus principales objectivos lograr el fortalecimiento politico y social de la comunidad hispana por medio de la informacion y la lucha organizada. Para lograr esto, se requiere concientizar a cada miembro de nuestra comunidad, en la necesidad de participar en las tareas de organizacion. Porque, solo la union fraternal y el trabajo organizado es capaz de lograr los objectivos que nos proponemos, te invitamos a formar parte de la lucha y resistencia.

Para mas informacion contactenos al 623-518-7927

Email: vocesconpoder@riseup.net
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