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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Sunday, January 3, 2010

Help out Robin the Hood.

I've got some stuff set up to write to political prisoners today (however many days I'm doing this) - stamps, cards, info - so you can do a good thing by dropping by without even spending a dime (though you might want to donate your loose change to Emily for some iced tea, if she's out with some).  There are a few folks who need some mail coming in, so both they and the prisons know their people are paying attention. Take a minute and check out Oso Blanco's site - he's the last one I got an SOS about. This post from the Jericho network isn't up there, so here's the latest. Not to tax your resources - I'm drumming up support for this guy - I still need the cash, but if you don't have any, spend a stamp and send a good word to a prisoner. If you don't make it by my place, try to drop something in the mail to him in the next couple of days.

Here's what the kids did; it's kind of bright today, but you get the gist. We used World Wildlife Federation cards that came for free, which have wolves on them, which we thought he'd like. The kids said they hope things get better, and that his people miss him. 


Good kids. One has family in prison, too.



(swapped this photo for the original I posted so you can see the kids' cards)


It doesn't take much to make someone's day in prison.

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Greeting folks & comrades;

A note to let you know that Thomas Ruffin from D.C. has agreed to take Oso's case, and we have sent him all the letters and documents to review the charges against Oso, even though he was the one beaten and had his braid cut--WE will still need to collect donations from you all to get Thomas there for a couple of days to interview Osoand establish a relationship with him. PLEASE send what you can or there are some of us that know the case well and would be willing to come and speak to you personally or your organization.

Thank you and have a Healthy & Happy & non-oppressive 2010
Paulette for NYC Jericho
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DONATE TO STOP THE TORTURE OF INDIGENOUS PP OSO BLANCO

Lawyer for Political Prisoner Oso Blanco

Jericho is asking for help in raising funds for a lawyer for Oso Blanco (aka Byron Shane Chubbuck), a Native American political prisoner being held and abused at Lewisburg federal prison.

He has been attacked by guards three times within the last few months and, after consulting with a lawyer, we decided we need to send a lawyer to visit him sooner rather than later. It will cost about a thousand for the trip there and a day visit/retainer, as well as getting the necessary documents for the lawyer.

By sending the donation through I.F.C.O., you will be able to have a deduction for your income tax. So please help us get this done, as we are concerned about not only Oso's safety, but his mental health under  this abusive treatment.

1. make out check to IFCO/NYC Jericho
2. on memo line: Oso Blanco's lawyer
3. send check to the Jericho Movement, P.O.Box 1272, New York, NY 10013
4. We will take the checks to IFCO
5. Drop Oso a note or card to let the prison know folks outside are
concerned about our brother.


Byron Shane Chubbuck (Oso Blanco) #07909-051
USP Lewisburg, PO Box 1000, Lewisburg, PA 17837

www.osoblanco.org

Thank you for your help
NYC Jericho

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