|
|
| Ariz. County jail housing 'high-risk' federal inmates facing trial |
| By The Arizona Republic |
| Published: 09/12/2003 |
|
At the request of the U.S. Department of Justice, Maricopa County will house 28 New Mexican Mafia gang members who are facing an upcoming trial in federal court. Sheriff Joe Arpaio said he has stepped up security in and around Madison Street Jail because of the new inmates, which he considers 'very high risk.' Officials said the inmates, whose names were not released, will face federal charges, including drug trafficking and racketeering, from several states. David Gonzales, U.S. Marshal for the District of Arizona, said the primary reason for using the county jail is the facility's proximity to the federal courthouse in downtown Phoenix. If the inmates were held in Florence, they would require additional manpower, including SWAT teams and helicopters, to transport the prisoners 70 miles to Phoenix. The jail has held at least a dozen of the suspects for about a month, and will continue receiving them within the next few weeks. A number of these inmates have tried to smuggle several grams of black tar heroin into the jail using phony legal mail, officials said. Arpaio since ordered all mail to be screened by a drug and bomb detector. On Tuesday night, deputies found a duffle bag containing rappelling rope and sledgehammers hidden in the bushes outside the jail. Authorities have not linked the items, presumed to be used as part of an escape plan, to any particular group of inmates. If detectives discover other escape plots, Arpaio said, he would order deputies and posse members to surround the jail around the clock. The sheriff also is purchasing 100 security vests, which cost $419 each, for detention staff at the jail. The New Mexican Mafia inmates are being segregated, but Arpaio said they will be treated the same as the other 8,500 inmates in the jail. Arpaio said the county will receive $75 a day per inmate. However, Gonzales of the U.S. Marshal's Office said he's seeking approval to compensate the jails at $90 a day per inmate. 'We're good partners with the feds, so I'm willing to take them,' Arpaio said. |
advertise
|
privacy policy
|
add URL
|
about us
|
terms/disclaimer
|
contact us
|
join our team
|
help
Comments:
No comments have been posted for this article.
Login to let us know what you think