This high level staffer agreed to share his experiences–Ed.

“Inmates are nothing but a ‘cash cow’ to make money for the state. Arizona’s copper mines went out, and they needed to find other revenue to fill the coffers. Mining the poor, indigent, homeless, and mentally ill sounded like a great idea. Of course, they’d need to call them criminals to get away with it.”

PW: ‘What kind of shenanigans are happening on the Closed Custody yards?
“Oh that. (laughs) The boys (guards) get bored, so it’s common practice to arrange little ‘prize fights’ with the girl inmates. Ya place yer bets on the gals, then let them out with each other and let them go at it.”

PW: ‘We have heard the guards give the girls little gifts for favors, is that true?’
(laughs). “I ain’t goin’ on record on THAT one! (shakes his head).”

PW: ‘Well is it true there are a lot of suicide attempts on those yards?’
“Now that is true. We get upwards of 2, 3 sometimes 5 a day/night.”

PW: ‘Why do you think that’s true?
“Cuz they got nothin’ to do in there, and their life is shit. There are no programs for those people, they’re whole existence is quiet despair.”

PW: ‘What do you think of the DOC tacking on Rehabilitation and Reentry on their name?
“(laughs hard) What a joke! Rehabilitation consists of wringing all the money out of inmates and their families before they throw them out. The DOC don’t give a shit about rehabilitation, all they’re interested in is MONEY, and making lots of it. The DOC’s idea of reentry is droppin’ em’ off at the Walmart parking lot.”

PW: ‘Do you think the DOC is corrupt?’
“Why do you think they call it the Dept. of Corruption?”

PW: Why did you become a correctional officer?
“It’s the only government job ya can get with a GED”

(Part 2 of this interview soon.)

It’s been a year since COVID hit, and the women isolated from the outside world. The women on Closed Custody fare even worse. They are locked up for virtually the entire day, except for their ‘kennel rec’ and meals.

Is it any wonder they act out angrily every night? Guards say there are at least 2 or 3 self-harm attempts, and fights against each other and officers. A staff member told us the suicide rooms are overcrowded, and alternative cells have to be found to accommodate the surge in cases.

Yes sir, rehabilitation at its finest.

All three bills, HB2167 Oversight on the DOC, HB2713 Earned release credits, and HB2165 House arrest for non violent offenders, killed by Warren Petersen (R) of the Senate Judiciary committee.

Next election, vote the asshole out!! The last guy didn’t let any reform bills through, and this dude, Petersen, is the same. Whatever happened to serving the People? (oh wait, the police can show us what happened to that). Whatever happened to listening to your constituents? (um, I guess it’s only what will get you reelected).

Readers, remember this guy in the next election!