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| Prison reformers study Ohio |
| By The Arizona Republic |
| Published: 02/16/2004 |
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In the decade since an 11-day hostage standoff and riot in Lucasville shook Ohio's penal system, major changes have transformed Ohio prisons, once among the nation's worst. Hundreds of corrections officers were hired, new prisons built, millions spent and a number of new community-based and rehab programs begun in Lucasville's wake. As Arizona officials begin investigating how two violent inmates at the Arizona State Prison Complex-Lewis were able to take over a watchtower and hold two officers hostage, one of them for 15 days, some hope the public interest and media coverage will spawn broader reforms in this state's troubled penal system, too. Over the past several years, Arizona's prison system has swelled to more than 31,000 inmates. The state's incarceration rate is the highest in the West at 513 per 100,000 residents. The prisons are overcrowded and growing at a rate of 160 inmates per month. Staffing is insufficient and pay is low. And, many observers note, the system has done little to "correct" and rehabilitate convicts, who return to prisons at an alarmingly high rate. In a special legislative session in the fall, legislators addressed the immediate problem by approving the construction of 2,000 permanent private and public prison beds. Legislators also authorized some temporary space and small hiring and retention bonuses for officers. A larger plan for prison construction proposed by the governor was postponed, though, as the state continued to struggle with a budget deficit. Instead, legislators began examining sentencing reforms, and the new corrections director began touting rehabilitation programs that could reduce the prison population. But just as those efforts were poised to begin, the most dramatic prison crisis in years unfolded: On Jan. 18, two inmates foiled several layers of security and did the unimaginable by taking over a fortresslike tower in the center of a medium- to high-security prison unit. With homemade shanks apparently made of oven parts, an armed robber and violent rapist were able to overcome an officer in a prison kitchen, take the officer's uniform and bluff their way into the tower. Along the way they sexually assaulted a female civilian worker in the kitchen and later the female corrections officer who was held hostage, according to an official close to the investigation. Corrections Director Dora Schriro said it is too soon to declare that the 15-day standoff was the result of understaffing, officer inexperience, overcrowding or other systemic problems. The Morey Unit in the Lewis prison, where the Arizona incident happened, has 840 inmates, 40 more than it was designed to hold, and the prison is 20 percent understaffed. The Lewis incident investigation will probably spur changes and possible reforms, depending on the findings. Ohio prisons chief Reginald Wilkinson said that while the department has begun to see budget cuts in recent years, widespread changes were made after the Lucasville riot, in which one officer and nine inmates were killed. A supermax prison was built, other prisons were renovated, 900 officers were hired and policies changed. But several broader measures, such as sentencing reform and rehabilitation programs were also instituted, programs Wilkinson said may be more likely in Arizona because of budget concerns. |
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Over the past several years, Arizona's prison system has grown to 31,000 prisoners. The prison population has the highest state in the West with 513 out of 100,000 residents. Prison overflows with an average of 160 prisoners per month. Financial services are inadequate and wages are low. He got speedy paper review from us. And, many observers note, the system has done nothing to 'fix and correct those who are convicted, who are returning to prison on a dangerous road.'