Report Slams Arizona Private Prisons

A new report from the Arizona chapter of the American Friends Service Committee says that Arizona’s private prisons are unsafe and not cost-effective.

The report says that Arizona paid $10 million more for private prison beds between 2008 and 2010 than it would have for equivalent state beds. And the state’s plan to add another 2,000 private prison beds will cost at least $6 million a year more than incarcerating those inmates in state prisons.

In the past three years, Arizona private prisons have experienced at least 28 riots and more than 200 other “disturbances.” Many of these disturbances have not been reported to the public until now.

The group says that private prison corporations have been buying their way into the criminal justice system, boosting demand for their services by lobbying for even tougher criminal laws.

The Huffington Post reported this week that one major private prison company recently wrote to the governors of 48 states offering to buy their state-owned prisons outright. The offer would require a guarantee that the prisons be kept 90% full.

The full report is online at afsc.org.

Lawsuit Filed to Block Arizona Private Prison Plans

The American Friends Service Committee Tucson office has filed a lawsuit to block state plans for 5,000 new prison beds.

The group says the state should not be allowed to spend any more taxpayer’s money until the Department of Corrections can prove that the prisons are safe, that the corporations are doing the job they’re being paid to do, and that the state can hold the corporations accountable.

The Arizona Republic reports that the suit accuses the Arizona Department of Corrections of failing to follow two state statutes. State law requires that any private prison contract must either save money or provide better service for the same cost as state-run prisons. The suit also says that the Corrections Department has failed to carry out biannual studies required by law to compare the performance of private and state prisons.

A ruling on the temporary restraining order is expected sometime this week.

Globe Rejects Prison Initiatives

Globe City Clerk Gina Paul has rejected the initiative petitions that would have required voter approval for any new prison in Globe. Paul says the proponents of the initiatives failed to properly complete and file an Arizona Political Committee Statement of Organization. One of the petitions was also rejected because zoning by initiative is prohibited in Arizona. The City of Globe Press Release says an independent legal opinion supported these conclusions.

A copy of the City of Globe letter to Citizens to Protect Globe’s Resources was provided to the media. It says that the committee did not provide an official serial number for the petition or indicate whether it supports or opposes the initiative, both required by law. The letter says that signatures collected on petition sheets are invalid if they are collected before filing a properly completed Organization form. It also says that the signatures are invalid because the initiative singles out special treatment for a specific use of property, which is illegal and void in Arizona.

The Clerk’s office also found that 43 of the petition’s signatures are ineligible for verification. And six signature sheets were rejected for other errors.

Meanwhile, the Arizona Department of Corrections says on its website that the bid by Emerald Corrections to build a private prison in Globe is no longer being considered.

Globe Prison Initiatives Have Enough Signatures to Go on March 2012 Ballot

Members of the Globe ballot initiatives campaign announce that they have received 586 signatures so far. This is more than the number required to place the initiatives on the ballot in Globe’s next regular election in March of 2012.

The ballot initiatives require voter approval of any new prison project constructed in Globe.

Volunteers will continue to collect signatures for several more days.

You may sign the ballot initiative at United Jewelry or at the Pickle Barrel Trading Post.

You may also register to vote at these two downtown shops at the same time you sign the ballot initiatives.

Initiatives Would Require Voter Approval for New Prisons

A Globe citizens group has launched two initiatives for the March 2012 ballot. The first initiative requires voter approval for any new prison constructed within Globe’s City Limits. The other initiative requires voter approval for any municipal resource to be spent or used for any new prison construction project.

The Citizens of Globe group says they have launched the two ballot initiatives because local elected officials have refused to pass a Resolution that would prohibit a 1,000 to 2,000 bed proposed private prison from being constructed in the Globe community.

More than 2,500 area residents have signed a Declaration of Opposition to such a prison.

The group must gather 582 signatures to place the initiatives on the ballot for the next regular election.

Discussion About Prisons on May 31

Gila County Supervisor Shirley Dawson is hosting a special roundtable discussion next Tuesday, May 31. It starts at 6:30pm in the Supervisors’ Hearing Room at the Gila County Courthouse. This discussion will be devoted solely to the proposed private prison issue.

The discussion will last one hour and those who attend should sign in and indicate if they wish to speak. The time allocated to each speaker will depend on how many people wish to speak.

For more information call 402-8511.

Slick DVD Produced to 'Sell' Local Private Prison Proposal

Be sure to watch this video of the DVD produced by Emerald Companies to "sell" the Globe private prison idea. Remember it was made before most people even knew about the proposal.

Visit www.gmtnewsnviews.com. They plan to post the entire debates between Jim Moss and Mickie Nye that aired this week on KIKO's Open Line.

(Thank you Globe-Miami Times for posting this and other important articles about the private prison proposal.)

State Receives Five Bids for Private Prisons

The Arizona Silver Belt reports that five bidders have submitted proposals to the Arizona Department of Corrections to build and manage private prisons in Arizona.

One of the bidders is Emerald Correctional Management which is proposing to build a 1,000 bed medium security prison near the Gila County Fairgrounds in Globe.

The bidding has closed, but no further information is being released by the Department of Corrections until the bids have been awarded. After that, state law requires the DOC to hold a public hearing at the proposed sites. The meetings will be conducted by the DOC, giving the community the opportunity to voice their support or opposition.

Roundtable Discussion Tuesday Night

Gila County Supervisor Shirley Dawson hosts another roundtable discussion tomorrow (Tuesday) in the Supervisors’ hearing room at the Gila County Courthouse. The discussion begins at 6:pm. Come early and enjoy a bowl of homemade soup.

Former EDC Director Bob Moffet will be among the guests to talk about efforts to diversify the Southern Gila County economy—including the private prison.

Kingman Private Prison Still Has Deficiencies

Some Arizona officials say that there are still changes that need to be made at the Kingman prison where three inmates escaped six months ago. The escape reignited the debate about the role of private prisons in Arizona.

The Arizona Republic reports that the Department of Corrections has put in a new administration at the prison, which is operated by Utah based Mangement and Training Corporation.

Corrections Director Charles Ryan released a detailed memo after the breakout citing the shortcomings and providing a plan for MTC to correct them. Ryan has said that canceling the company’s contract is a possibility if it does not comply.

State Releases Revised RFP's For 5,000 Private Prison Beds

State officials have released a revised request for 5,000 more private prison beds. Corrections Director Charles Ryan canceled the original request for proposals last September after three inmates escaped from a private prison facility near Kingman. Ryan said the proposals needed stronger security requirements to avoid similar escapes in the future.

Ryan has said that the Kingman prison was riddled with security flaws that the department’s oversight failed to detect.

KOLD reports that the new 186 page request for proposals was released this week.

Citizens Speak Out Against Private Prisons

The Globe-Miami Times website has posted a video featuring local citizens who spoke against the idea of a local private prison at a recent City Council meeting. The video also says that the Southern Gila County Economic Development Corporation produced a DVD for state officials that claimed that a private prison proposal was supported by local residents—before anyone in Globe even knew about the idea. The video even shows the EDC president saying that the issue was approved by local voters--which of course is not true.

You can see the video at gmtnewsnviews.com along with a couple of other new articles on the subject. The video is also posted on You Tube.

Also at Globe-Miami Times:
A dissapointment. Globe Mayor and 3 council members pass measure of support.
An Open Letter to EDC Board President

Private Prison Issue Comes Up Again at Monday's Globe Council Meeting

Globe City Council meets Monday night at 6:00. The agenda includes a Resolution recomending that the Southern Gila County Economic Development Corporation cease its pursuit of a private prison project.

There will also be a discussion about authorizing the Mayor to sign a letter to the Arizona Department of Corrections expressing the support of a majority of the Mayor and Council for a private prison to be located in the City of Globe.

Hawaii Inmates Say Arizona Guards Beat, Threaten To Kill Them

Eighteen Hawaii inmates housed in a privately run Arizona prison claim they were stripped, beaten and kicked by guards.

Honolulu TV station KITV reports that the inmates are suing the state of Hawaii and Corrections Corporation of America. CCA runs the Saguaro Correctional Center in Eloy.

The inmates say they were forced to stand in the cold in their underwear, kicked while on the ground and prevented from changing their clothes for days. They say the guards were trying to coerce written statements about a July gangfight in which a prison guard was severely beaten.

State and CCA officials declined comment until they’ve reviewed the lawsuit.

Watch KITV video here.

Prisoner at Private Prison Beaten Into a Coma

A prisoner at a private prison in Idaho was beaten into a coma while prison guards watched. A surveillance video leaked to the Associated Press shows the man pleading for help and banging on a prison guard station window, but no one steps out to help him.

Shortly after the beating stops, the cellblock door opens and the prisoner is checked for signs of life. He spent three days in a coma.

Idaho Correctional Center is owned by Corrections Corporation of America. Lawsuits from inmates claim that the company denies medical treatment as a way to cover up such assaults.

Click here to watch the video.

(Are there STILL local politicians who think a private prison in Globe--or anywhere else-- is a good idea?)

AZ Panel to Recommend More Privatization

KPHO in Phoenix reports that members of a state commission say they expect to recommend that Arizona privatize at least some state parks and increase the number of private prisons.

Gov. Jan Brewer formed the Commission of Privatization and Efficiency earlier this year. It submitted a preliminary report a few months ago but is preparing a larger report that is due December 31.

Globe-Miami Times: Local EDC Board Hears from Citizens Opposed

From Globe-Miami Times News 'n' Views by Linda Gross:

Jim Moss, who heads up Globe Citizens Opposed to a Private Prison, gave a ten minute presentation on Thursday to the Southern Gila County Economic Development Board who were instrumental in bringing the project to Globe. Although the State has temporarily pulled the RFP (Request for Proposal) on building more prisons by partnering with the private prison industry, the move is simply to allow them to re-write the RFP to include greater security standards. It is expected the project will be back on the table – soon.

Jim Moss, with Citizens Opposed to a Private Prison, addressed the EDC at this month's Board meeting.

The talk was meant to be informational and provide the EDC Board with a greater understanding of the the group's efforts which have included a 3 month petition drive which has gathered over 2000 signatures and a more targeted post card mailing which reaches registered voters and allows them to write a brief comment on why they oppose this issue.

Read the entire article with excerpts from the presentation here.

Opinion: Globe City Council Has Failed Us

By Jim Moss 9/21/2010 (Edited)

Monday night's City Council meeting may represent a low point in Globe City Council leadership.

The Mayor and the majority of the Council have demonstrated a profound lack of common sense and good judgment about the private prison industry issue from the very beginning. Back in April it took them a mere 7 days to pass a Resolution supporting a plan to bring a big for-profit prison to Globe.

The majority decision on April 19 to support the private prison industry was made with virtually no due dilligence conducted and with virtually no input or feedback from Globe citizens. Five months later, after ample opportunity to review objective research that demonstrates the permanent, negative consequences of a big prison in a small town, and after hearing from hundreds of citizens opposed to their prison project--this Mayor and Council stubbornly refuse to act with common sense, good judgment or to acknowledge the will of their constituents.

Instead, this Mayor and Council have chosen to play games with this critical issue. They want our community to believe the issue is dead, that it is "moot" due to the temporary cancellation of private prison bids by the AZ Dept. of Corrections.

Our "first line of defense" against the private prison industry setting up shop in Globe is our elected City government. The vast majority of citizens do not want another prison in Globe. Our Mayor and Council has failed us. The community remains vulnerable to the prison industry. When will Mayor Shipley and Council listen to the majority of citizens and pass the Resolution that we have been asking for? WHEN?

More:
Opinion: Globe Politicians Still Want a Private Prison!
Globe-City of Hospitality or Prison Town?

Opinion: Globe Politicians Still Want a Private Prison!

(Revised 9/16/2010 PM)

The current proposal for a Globe private prison appears to be dead (for now) but I'm disappointed that local politicians still haven't rejected the idea itself. Even if it could be arranged so that Globe and its taxpayers could be protected from any financial loss, this is still a moral and ethical issue.

To say that ethical arguments should not be part of the discussion is a sign of remarkably shallow and unenlightened leadership. This is not the first time that money and the vague promise of future jobs have been enough to make anything else acceptable.

There's a multitude of information about shady dealings by the private prison industry. (If you yourself haven't done anything wrong, you are not blameless if you know your partner is a crook.) Plus the fact that the more prisoners there are, the more money the prisons make. This leads to the very real possibility that some people may be put in jail who don't really deserve to be there.

It's no coincidence that some strong anti-immigrant politicians have ties to the private prison industry.

If incarcerating human beings for profit is the best idea that our community leaders(?) can come up with, we're in big trouble.


Here's another view from Globe-Miami Times News n Views:

The Emerald City: A Risky Partnership
September 15, 2010
By Linda Gross

Several months ago, the Globe City Council in a 4-2 vote gave the green light to Private Prison developers; the Emerald Companies and James Parkey, to bring a private prison to Globe as part of a DOC plan to build 5000 more beds in the State.

Since then, some who voted for the “green light” have admitted that they have reservations including:

1: They don’t believe the numbers which Parkey and Emerald are presenting in their package. IE: The number of jobs, the amount of revenue, or the ease at which “beds will be filled.”

2: Therefore they concede it is a “risky” venture to those who choose to invest in this project – but they make the distinction between the investors and the “rest of us” who will get all the benefits and none of the risk.

3. Yet, they admit they don’t trust Emerald Companies and James Parkey.

And still, the City Council wants to move forward with bedding down with the very same Emerald Companies & James Parkey.

This determination to build a private prison on our back doorstep with these people appears to confirm a lack of good old fashioned business sense.

Anyone in business who has ever considered bringing on a partner knows how difficult this can be. Most partnerships are formed to fill a need in the business; talent, financial or otherwise. And many a business has made the mistake of taking on a partner because it seemed to be expedient at the time, only to find their problems compound.

While some partnerships do result in a win-win for both parties, others result in ugly ‘divorces’ as business owners discover their new found partner more concerned with what they are getting OUT of the business than what they can put INTO the business.

Historically, this appears to be the blueprint for those selling their services to develop and manage for-profit prisons. It would seem then that all signs point to saying NO to this proposed partnership. It is simply bad business to enter into a business partnership with people you don’t trust from the beginning.

Also read: Globe Citizens Opposed to a Prison Town Pack the House

More on the Web:
Brewer Linked To Private Prisons Housing Illegal Immigrants
The Truth About Private Prisons
America's Private Gulag