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:


Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Florence CCA prison stabbing...

No comment from CCA in response to my inquiries so far...


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2 officers assaulted by inmates at Florence prison


abc15.com

Posted: 09/03/2011

By: Deborah Stocks

FLORENCE, AZ - Officials say two correctional officers at a Florence prison were injured when they were assaulted by two inmates Friday afternoon.

The incident happened at the Florence Correctional Center as the officers were escorting two State of Hawaii inmates back to their cells from the segregation recreation yard.

Staff responded immediately and ended the assault quickly, according to officials.

The facility was placed on lockdown as a precaution and law enforcement and Hawaii Department of Public Safety authorities were notified.

The officers were taken to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The incident is being investigated and the names of the officers were not released.

The facility is owned and operated by Corrections Corporation of America and primarily houses federal inmates and detainees for the U.S. Marshals Service and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.



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1 comment:

Anonymous said...

The guards were brutally stabbed and thankfully they were quickly airlifted to Phoenix. Without the quick response time, things could have been much worse. These 2 inmates were already facing a possible death penalty and apparently have no regard for human life.

September 10, 2011 at 5:43 PM

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