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

Monday, June 21, 2010

Arizona Attorney General candidate debates this week.

The KAET Channel 8 schedule says that tonight are the Republicans, and tomorrow are the Democrats, but everyone else says the following, so I'm going with the AP version. Presumably, this is being held at the KAET studio tomorrow at 7pm, though none of the press releases say so. Remember to catch the Democratic candidates Wednesday, too.

If you have questions for the station, direct them here:

--------------------from KAET------------

Contact

Send your comments

We welcome your comments and suggestions. Contact Horizon

by e-mail at Eight@asu.edu

by telephone at 602-496-2308

or by mail:

Eight, Arizona PBS
Arizona State University
555 N. Central Ave.; Suite 500 (map)
Phoenix, AZ 85004-1252
ATTN: Horizon

Ask Your Questions

Do you have a question you would like to ask the Horizon guests? We may use it during the broadcast.

Email your question to Horizon@asu.edu

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

GOP candidates for attorney general to face off

By The Associated Press

Published: June 21, 2010 at 6:51 am

The two Republican candidates for Arizona attorney general will face off Tuesday in a debate held by the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne and former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas are vying for the Republican nomination in the Aug. 24 primary election.

The Clean Elections Commission will hold a debate Wednesday with the Democrats running for attorney general.

Democrats David Lujan, Vince Rabago and Felicia Rotellini are running for their party’s nomination.

Arizona Prison Watch (retired)

Retiring Arizona Prison Watch...

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