ADC: The murder of Dana Seawright.

Maybe it's just my perception, but it seems like there have been a lot more murders and suicides in the state prisons this year - which suggests that prisoners are being treated more brutally in general and figure they have nothing left to lose. It also leaves me wondering just who is in control in there - is it the ADC, or are the gangs running the show and proving it by making people kill other prisoners?

They'll be taking out guards, too, if this war escalates.

Anyway, Seawright's murder will be added to our CRIPA complaint. If anyone can get more details on what happened with this or any of the other prison homicides since last summer, please pass them on so they can be forwarded to the appropriate outside agency.

Our condolences to Dana's family and loved ones. Please let us know if there's anything we can do, even just publish his obituary for you - I'm sure it will have more to say about the man than his criminal record does, and we like to get that kind of information out there so the public recognizes the humanity of many prisoners.

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Arizona prison inmate dies in Phoenix hospital

ABC 15, Phoenix
Associated Press
July 8, 2010

PHOENIX - Arizona Department of Corrections officials say a state prison inmate has died.

Officials say 26-year-old Dana Seawright died Wednesday night at Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix. He had been transported to the hospital on Saturday after being found in his cell with puncture wounds.

DOC officials did not say how Seawright was wounded at the Stiner Unit of the state prison Lewis complex in Buckeye, only that the death is under investigation.

They say Seawright was sent to the Arizona prison system for the third time in November 2009 to serve a 12-year sentence. He was convicted out of Maricopa County on a dangerous drug violation and unlawful use of means of transport.