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| Changes for tower already in the works |
| By The Arizona Republic |
| Published: 02/09/2004 |
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State officials expect to spend weeks investigating this month's hostage siege at the prison near Buckeye, but they've already launched changes in security procedures to prevent a repeat. Dora Schriro, director of the Department of Corrections, said steps have been taken to cut off access to watchtowers. She also talked about hiring a prison design expert, using new technology and establishing new policies in response to the nation's longest inmate hostage drama. But prison security experts stressed that, even when all safety systems and technological protections are in place, security at correctional institutions remains in the hands of humans who sometimes err. During a 15-day hostage saga, authorities concede there was a spiral of security flaws and lapses at Lewis prison. The trouble began when violent felons Steven Coy and Ricky Wassenaar, armed with shanks, overpowered a corrections officer in the kitchen. Wassenaar donned an officer's uniform, bluffed his way into the tower and took two hostages. The fact that inmates entered the prison's stronghold is considered a crucial breakdown. Suddenly, they had hostages and guns in a veritable fortress. Before the standoff, authorities did not contemplate that possibility. DOC tactical teams had never practiced storming a tower. There apparently was no microphone to pick up conversations inside the building. Nor was there any safe way to storm the structure, Schriro said. As the siege dragged on and the female victim was sexually assaulted, assault teams grew desperate to learn exactly where the hostages and inmates were located within in the tower. Schriro said military aircraft flew reconnaissance over the prison using infrared cameras to no avail. High-tech listening devices also were used, apparently with limited success. In the aftermath, Schriro said, architects who specialize in prison design will be asked what changes, if any, need to be made. Meanwhile, corrections officers are under orders to enter watchtowers only via the administration building, rather than the yard door used by the hostage-takers. Other changes may include staffing levels, placement of video cameras in prison kitchens, new criteria for inmate work assignments and a revision of radio security protocols. |
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