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| Riot at Arizona CSC Prison Prompts Re-Evaluation |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 05/20/2003 |
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A cost-overrun in sending prisoners out of state has Arizona leaders wondering whether contracting with private operations will save the state money and solve prison overcrowding. A jail uprising by Arizona prisoners at Texas' Newton County Corrections Center earlier this year delayed busing of additional inmates and cost taxpayers $415,939, according to an analysis of state records by The East Valley Tribune. It has also raised red flags among state leaders, who question whether the push toward privatization will solve the worst prison-bed shortage in state history, said George Weisz, Gov. Janet Napolitano's special assistant for corrections. 'That (contract in Newton County) has been a financial disaster. It's tough, and the governor has definite concerns about privatization,' Weisz said. Arizona prisons now exceed their capacity by 4,200 inmates and some lawmakers say hiring private companies will solve the problem. 'We have some alternatives with private prisons. They are successful,' said Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa and chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Members of the Arizona Department of Corrections investigated the Jan. 2 jail uprising, which happened less than a month after the first 96 prisoners arrived in Texas. Investigators said that the jail and its staff were ill-prepared to accept the new arrivals and gave the company a month to correct problems. The deadline resulted in a terse response from its leaders, in correspondence obtained by the Tribune. 'We have gone over and above compliance for this short-term, seven-month contract,' wrote Thomas Rapone, the company's executive vice president and chief operating officer. Although busing resumed in February, Arizona prisoners continued to rebel. Incidents included escapes, peaceful protests, group demonstrations and hunger strikes. A state monitor wrote to his supervisor that the inmates wanted to return to Arizona so their families could visit them. More than 600 Arizona prisoners are now at the Texas jail. On June 30, the state will determine whether to renew its contract with Correctional Services Corp. Officials said the deficiencies found by monitors are a concern, but with prison space likely to run out this fall, the state may be forced to renew it. 'The problem is our back is against the wall,' Weisz said. 'Whether it's private or public, we just have to find places to put these inmates.' |
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