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, November 17, 2009

MCSO Shackling Pregnant Women; Racial Profiling

This in from the guys at PCI:
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Date: Monday, November 16, 2009, 10:42 PM

Interview with mother  who was forced to give birth in chains while in custody of Arpaio's guard (Spanish)

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsYcbH_RrWc>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsYcbH_RrWc

*Please contact elected officials to protest Arpaio's continued actions*

In spite of losing  his 287g program, the Sheriff is launching a two day long county-wide crime suppression/illegal immigration operation will begin tonight at 5PM.

200 volunteer posse, reserves and deputies will participate.  Posse helicopters will "visually assist ground crews."

Friends in ARIZONA and around the country:  Please contact your members of congress, Secretary Napolitano and President Obama and let them know how strongly you object to immigration enforcement through neighborhood purges. Arpaio's actions are being replicated across the country.  We must have a moratorium on local law enforcement's sweeps and purges.  No more terrorizing communities.  No more tearing apart families and leaving frightened children to fend for themselves.  It must end now.

Find your members of congress here:  Capitol Switchboard: (202)224-3121
Secretary Napolitano Comment Line: 202-282-8495)

President Obama: 202-456-1111

Let them know that we need their help to stop Arpaio's efforts to make Maricopa County a "Constitution Free Zone."  His actions cannot continue to go unchecked.

Victims are urged to call 1-877-977-8869
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