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:


Thursday, June 17, 2010

Another Arizona prisoner murdered: ASPC-Lewis

I hope the DOJ is looking at all these murders, too...

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ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
JANICE K. BREWER GOVERNOR
1601 W. JEFFERSON PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85007 (602) 542-3133
CHARLES L. RYAN DIRECTOR

NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release

For more information contact:
Barrett Marson
www.bmarson@azcorrections.gov
Bill Lamoreaux
www.blamorea@azcorrections.gov
June 16, 2010

Inmate fight leads to death

Buckeye, Az – A fight involving three inmates at the Arizona State Prison Complex – Lewis led to the death of an inmate Wednesday afternoon.

Two inmates attacked another inmate between the recreation field and the dining hall of the Rast Unit at about 1 p.m. An inmate was taken from the prison, where he was later pronounced dead from wounds received in the fight. The Department is withholding the name of the inmate pending notification to his family.

The Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit responded to the scene. Prison-made weapons were found at the crime scene.

One other inmate involved in the attack was also wounded and was transported to a hospital by ambulance.
----------UPDATE (added July 12, 2010)--------

June 18, 2010

Inmate fight leads to death

Buckeye, Az – A fight involving three inmates at the Arizona State Prison Complex – Lewis led to the death of an inmate Wednesday afternoon.

Two inmates attacked another inmate between the recreation field and the dining hall of the Rast Unit at about 1 p.m. Inmate Albert Tsosie, 33, ADC #160242 was taken from the prison, where he was later pronounced dead from wounds received in the fight. Tsosie was admitted to ADC on March 30, 2010 out of Maricopa County for taking part in a criminal street gang. He was sentenced to prison for 3.5 years.

The Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit responded to the scene. Prison-made weapons were found at the crime scene.

One other inmate involved in the attack was also wounded and was transported to a hospital, where he was treated and returned to the unit the same day.
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