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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Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Candidates to Vote Down: The Pearce Endorsements

Here's the latest from the Russell Pearce Campaign. Anyone who embraces that man's endorsements right now should be considered by the People to be armed and dangerous and not to be trusted with our tax dollars, much less our laws, lives and liberties. Those who voted for SB 1070 despite not supporting it fully are just as bad, if not worse. They voted from a place of fear, rather than their value base. That means they can't be trusted even if they sound like they might be enlightened.

Note how many of the candidates he endorses have issues with their "constitutionals". That should tell us something. Also note the line of BS he spews about lefty "special interests" (like the poor, the hungry, undocumented immigrants, and peace activists, I suppose?) having "deeper pockets" than his crowd. He feeds that to his own people, you know. They have no idea what the truth is anymore. Perhaps they don't really care.

We've seen your money, Pearce, and we know that your strategy has always been to win by having the biggest bankroll and excluding your opposition from running or even voting in the primaries - it has certainly not been by building a constituency that's authentically dedicated to true democracy. Real Republicans like my grandfather would be ashamed to be seen in the same party with the likes of you - too bad so many of the brave ones are now dead, and the cowards are in hiding, fearing for their political lives.


The typos are all his, as usual. He writes most of his own stuff.

------------------from senatorpearce@russellpearce.com -----------------------

Friends,

Many of you have asked me who I support and have endorsed for the upcoming republican Primaries.

Further below is a list of candidates and incumbents that I support and ask you to support also. However, before I share those with you I want you to know that there are several Republican incumbents who worked against the passage of SB1070. If you go to www.azleg.govhttp://www.azleg.gov/> and watch the archived video a nd listen to the vote in both the House and Senate you will hear some very telling things about certain Republicans who did not support the passage of SB1070 but voted for it only because they knew if they didn’t you would have voted them out of office. Now those same members are campaigning saying that they were a sponsor of the bill and they were a supporter of SB1070 all through the bill’s legislative process. So with that said, if you don’t see a Republican incumbent’s name on this list then you may want to do a little research of your own.

See the links below for the video of the House and Senate vote on SB1070. Pay special attention to when someone says “I would like to explain my vote”. House of Representatives Caucus of the Whole video. This vote occurs before the final vote and is very telling. http://azleg.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=13&clip_id=7467http://azleg.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=13&clip_id=7467>

House of Representatives 3rd and final vote. Again, very telling of who are true conservatives are and are not. This video has 2 other bills being voted on before the vote on SB1070. The vote for SB1070 starts 7 minutes into the video so you will have to fast forward 7 minutes. http://azleg.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=13&clip_id=7469
http://azleg.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=13&clip_id=7469< /span>>

Senate Final vote. Again, this vote is telling of who our true constitutional leaders really are. The Bill vote does not start until 19 min and 20 seconds into the video so fast forward. http://azleg.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=13&clip_id=7519
http://azleg.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=13&clip_id=7519>
Please cut and paste the following and send to your lists. - Russell

Candidates Senator Russell Pearce supports:

Governor:

Jan Brewer
US Senate.
JD Hayworth
US Congress:
Rusty Bowers CD1
Trent Franks CD2
Sam Crump and Pamela Gorman CD3 (Senator Pearce supports both equally)
Janet Contreas CD4
David Schweikert CD5
Jeff Smith CD6
Robert Wilson CD7
Jesse Kelly & Jonathon Paton CD8 (Senator Pearce supports both equally)
State Treasurer
Thayer Verschoor
State Attorney General
Andrew Thomas
State School Superintendent
John Huppenthal
Corporation Commission
Brenda Burns
Gary Pierce
Maricopa County Attorney
Bill Montgomery


STATE SENATE

LD1: Steve Pierce - a solid fiscal and social conservative. Senate Majority Whip “A good friend” – Senator Pearce.

LD2: Sylvia Laughter - ( A Conservative Democrat that votes with us on 90% of the issues, pro life, pro 2nd Amendment, pro SB1070) This is an unusually endorsement

LD3: Ron Gould - a Constitutional Conservative

LD4: Scott Bundgaard - Former conservative legislator running against Tony Bouie. Enough said. Don’t know why? Google Tony Bouie. Bundgaard for Senate - 21424 N 78th Dr, Peoria AZ 85382 - www.ScottBundgaard.com

LD5: Sen. Sylvia Allen - Current Champion of the Taxpayer being challenged by Rep. Bill Konopnicki, the most liberal House Republican in the Legislature. Allen is endorsed by Arpaio, Pearce, Bowers, and others. Konopnicki was one of the Republicans helping to raise money for Democrat candidates. Committee to Elect Sylvia T Allen 2010 - PO Box 952, Snowflake AZ 85937 - No Website Found

LD6: Lori Klein - Longtime conservative activist. Klein has been endorsed by Sheriff Arpaio among others. Klein for Senate - 3637 W Medinah Ct, Anthem AZ 85086 - www.KleinforSenate.nethttp://www.KleinforSenate.net>

LD7: Ray Barnes - a strong supporter for SB1070 and enforcement of all of our laws.

LD8: Michele Reagan - Supported SB1070 and a strong supporter of small business

LD9: Rick Murphy - A good Conservative and supporter of SB1070 and for lower taxes and less regulation on business

LD10: Linda Gray – “A good Conservative and friend” – Senator Pearce

LD11: Rich Davis - Being challenged by Rep. Adam Driggs. Driggs is one of the “Sanctuary Six” and HELPED to raise money for Democrat candidates running against conservative Republicans. Davis is endorsed by Arpaio, Pearce, etc. Rich Davis for Arizona - PO Box 44045, Phoenix AZ 85064 - www.RichDavisForArizona.comhttp://www.RichDavisForArizona.com>

LD15: Bob Thomas - A Conservative in strong support of SB1070, endorsed by Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, Sheriff Joe, Senator Russell Pearce and others.

LD17: Wendy Rogers - Retired Air Force Pilot and great American. Good choice to take back LD17.

LD18: Senator Russell Pearce – a Consistent Constitutional Conservative, Author of SB1070, SB1108 (Freedom Carry Act), Prop 200, Employer Sanctions for hiring illegal aliens, Taxpayer Bill of Rights, etc.

LD22: Andy Biggs - A Constitutional Conservative and fiscal, social conservative. Senator Russell Pearce calls him “A great friend”.

LD23: Steve Smith, a solid Constitutional Republican. A chance to remove Rebecca Rios who is a tax and spend liberal, who opposed ever single effort to secure our borders and enforce our laws, including a no vote on SB1070.

LD24: Don Shooter - a strong Tea Party Candidate from Yuma. Former Farmer and a Constitutional Republican. Running against Amanda Aguirre who opposed SB1070 and worked hard against a balanced budget and fiscally sound policies.

LD25: Gail Griffin - A real chance to take back this district with a common sense conservative.

LD26: Al Melvin - Retired military, a great Patriot and solid conservative on fiscal and social issues. A border Hawk!!

LD28: Greg Krino - for Senate against liberal, liberal Sen. Aboud. Sen. Aboud has fought us on every effort to secure our borders, balance our budget, control spending and fought hard to kill SB1070.

LD30: Sen. Frank Antenori - Facing a primary challenge from former RINO legislator Marian McClure. McClure’s record was weak on virtually every core issue while Antenori is one of the most conservative in the Senate. Antenori for Arizona - 10595 East Ravenswood Street, Tucson, AZ 85747 - www.VoteForFrank.comhttp://www.VoteForFrank.com>

STATE HOUSE

LD1: Andy Tobin
- Strong pro business, 2nd Amendment, fiscal and social conservative.

LD3: Nancy Mclain & Doris Goodale

LD4: Judy Burges & Jack Harper - Two great Constitutional conservatives

LD5: Chester Crandell & Brenda Burton - Both fiscal and social conservatives - Great Americans

LD6: Carl Seel & David Fitzgerald III - Both Constitutional conservatives and strong pro-business and fiscal and social conservatives. One of their opponents was Amanda Reeve, one of the Republicans helping to raise money for the Democrats.

LD7: David Smith & Howard Sprague - Both Constitutional conservatives

LD8: Michelle Ugenti & Rep. John Kavanagh - both great Americans and Constitutional conservatives

LD9: Diane Douglas & Debbie Lesko - both strong Conservatives, both fiscal and social conservatives

LD10: Kimberly Yee & Jim Weiers - Running as a team against school board member Bill Adams. Kimberly Yee 2010 - PO Box 83561, Phoenix AZ 85071 – www.kimberlyyee.com

LD11: Shawnna Bolick - Constitutional Conservative & great American

LD12: Steve Montenegro & Jerry Weiers – “Both strong Conservatives and good friends” – Senator Pearce

LD15: Paul Yoder & Caroline Condit

LD18: Cecil Ash & Steve Court

LD19: Justin Olson & Kirk Adams - fiscal and social conservatives (Justin is endorsed by Sheriff Arpaio also)

LD20: Bob Robson & Jeff Dial - A chance to add a strong voice to the House on border security and enforcement.

LD21: Tom Forese and J.D. Mesnard - Both have been endorsed by outgoing Reps Yarbrough and Nichols. Third candidate is educrat Vanessa Whitener, a Rich Crandall Republican. What more needs to be said? Vote Forese -6836 S Birdie Way, Gilbert AZ 85298 - www.TomForese.com and Elect J.D. Mesnard - 1427 W Homestead Ct, Chandler AZ 85286 - JDMesnard.com

LD22: Eddie Farnsworth & Laurin Hendrix – “Eddie is probably the most Constitutional qualified candidate I have ever worked with” – Senator Pearce. (endorsed by Sheriff Joe and Law Enforcement)

LD23: John Fillmore and Frank Pratt - both strong fiscal and social conservatives

LD25: David Stevens & Peggy Judd - great “Americans who we desperately need in the House” – Senator Pearce.

LD26: Terri Proud - In a three-way primary for two spots with Rep. Vic Williams and Wade McLean. Terri is the only conservative in the race and certainly needs the financial help to compete. Vote4Proud - PO Box 90004, Tucson AZ 85752 - www.Vote4Proud.comhttp://www.Vote4Proud.comLD30>

LD30: Rep. Ted Vogt & David Gowan - Solid conservatives running against Doug Sposito, an open-borders RINO who was one of the Republicans helping to raise money for Democrat candidates. Vogt For Arizona - 10031 E Falcon Point Dr, Tucson AZ 85730 - www.Vogt4Arizona.com

A Conservative Call To Arms!
Our State Legislative Races

Every two years, self-described moderates, open-border groups, and liberal big-spending interest groups join together to raise a lot of money to support center-left candidates for legislative office. Recently, one big fundraising event raised a reported $275,000 for a group of 12 Republican and Democrat candidates. The fact that these Republicans and Democrats were similar enough in their ideology and records that they were willing to campaign together, or that donors found them all equally attractive, is a serious warning about how far left they will go if elected or re-elected. So this handy list has been prepared to help conservatives all over Arizona learn about conservatives running in key races. We have also included their mailing addresses and committee names so that you can make your own contributions. While our pockets are not as deep as the special interests we are up against, we have the advantage of numbers. Get involved, as donors or volunteers, and let’s keep our Arizona State Legislature conservative!

NOTE: These are just primary contests. We can help out our general election races later in the year!

To help candidates identify our contributions, add one penny to your amount, so if you were going to give $25, give $25.01 instead!

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