JJT
11-27-2004, 02:22 PM
FLORENCE - Ten years ago, the private prison company Corrections Corporation of America had a little facility with 512 beds here, waiting for its first shipment of inmates from Alaska. CCA's Central Arizona Detention Center has steadily grown since then, and today it houses about 3,200 inmates for the U.S. Marshals Service. Five years ago, the prison also acquired a neighbor directly in its back yard, CCA's Florence Correctional Center. FCC today houses 1,660 or so inmates from the U.S. marshals, U.S. immigrant detention, the Pascua Yaqui tribe and the states of Alaska, Hawaii, Washington and Vermont.
Central Arizona Detention Center last week celebrated its 10th anniversary with a barbecue. Before the celebration, three employees who had been there from the start reminisced about the prison's early days for the Florence Reminder and Blade-Tribune.
The officers said the first arrival of Alaskan inmates went as well as could be expected.
"It was pretty normal," recalled Cary Davis, 45, of Eloy, who today is assistant chief of security. The Alaskans were used to their home state prison and weren't sure what to expect.
"For some of us, who came from the state (Arizona Department of Corrections), it was hard for us adjusting to that level of custody. We were so aggressive and they were so kick-back, it was a lot to learn from them, and them from us," Davis said.
"The inmates seemed to be unaware of what to expect of us, as we were of them," agreed Victor J. Martinez, 43, of Queen Creek, who today is a senior correctional officer. "We knew our obligations as officers and what we were supposed to do, and the inmates weren't sure how to take us as far as a new facility, a private facility. They were set in their ways with the Alaska Department of Corrections. ... It was more this getting to know each other, what were the do's and don'ts. ... It was a learning experience, how to adapt to each other."
Davis recalled, "They were asking a lot of questions of us, just about the area itself, visitation, how they would go about getting their visits in. Just a lot of questions."
Over the years, as the prison built new units and grew, the basics of the job remained the same. Larry Rodriguez, 43, of Casa Grande, who today is a visitation officer, saw no major changes.
"It's basically all the same; nothing has changed."
The pace, however, became more hectic.
Davis said, "The pace was a lot slower (in the beginning). And now because we're so big, the pace goes by real fast. When we were small, it seemed like the days lasted longer. Now that we've grown, the days go by so fast. We have so much to do, so much to keep up on."
"I'd say we've gone through a lot of different changes," Martinez said. "We were so small and so compact, it was real tight and everything was close ... and we got to know each other, we knew everybody. Now we're so big, we don't get to know everybody all the time. Other than the disciplinary hearings, I don't get to meet people that much anymore.
"The place has gotten so big, I just got to be more professional, just do my job and get it done," Martinez continued. "I don't have time for that relaxation and getting around to know people and stuff, like we were when we were real small.
"But it seems to be running really good, and I enjoy working here."
Davis agreed, "It changed a lot. The overall atmosphere." However, he said dealings with inmates have stayed the same, no matter the size. "The way we talk to the inmates now is the same way as when we first started. That part has never changed."
What has caused them to stay with the company for 10 years?
"Money, people," Rodriguez replied. "I get along with everybody here. It's a good place to work. I like it."
Davis agreed, "The money's good, the way I'm treated is good, it's a lot different than other places I've worked."
Martinez said, "I would have to say the career itself has broadened my access as far as doing things in corrections. I really enjoy it. The pay is very good. I started out here when we were making $9 an hour. Now we're making good money. ... I also enjoy my job, I work different parts of the facility and I really enjoy this line of work."
What about the next 10 years?
"It's probably going to grow more," Martinez said. " ... and there's a lot of opportunity for advancement." "Hopefully I'm going to move up," Rodriguez agreed.
©Casa Grande Valley Newspapers Inc. 2004
Central Arizona Detention Center last week celebrated its 10th anniversary with a barbecue. Before the celebration, three employees who had been there from the start reminisced about the prison's early days for the Florence Reminder and Blade-Tribune.
The officers said the first arrival of Alaskan inmates went as well as could be expected.
"It was pretty normal," recalled Cary Davis, 45, of Eloy, who today is assistant chief of security. The Alaskans were used to their home state prison and weren't sure what to expect.
"For some of us, who came from the state (Arizona Department of Corrections), it was hard for us adjusting to that level of custody. We were so aggressive and they were so kick-back, it was a lot to learn from them, and them from us," Davis said.
"The inmates seemed to be unaware of what to expect of us, as we were of them," agreed Victor J. Martinez, 43, of Queen Creek, who today is a senior correctional officer. "We knew our obligations as officers and what we were supposed to do, and the inmates weren't sure how to take us as far as a new facility, a private facility. They were set in their ways with the Alaska Department of Corrections. ... It was more this getting to know each other, what were the do's and don'ts. ... It was a learning experience, how to adapt to each other."
Davis recalled, "They were asking a lot of questions of us, just about the area itself, visitation, how they would go about getting their visits in. Just a lot of questions."
Over the years, as the prison built new units and grew, the basics of the job remained the same. Larry Rodriguez, 43, of Casa Grande, who today is a visitation officer, saw no major changes.
"It's basically all the same; nothing has changed."
The pace, however, became more hectic.
Davis said, "The pace was a lot slower (in the beginning). And now because we're so big, the pace goes by real fast. When we were small, it seemed like the days lasted longer. Now that we've grown, the days go by so fast. We have so much to do, so much to keep up on."
"I'd say we've gone through a lot of different changes," Martinez said. "We were so small and so compact, it was real tight and everything was close ... and we got to know each other, we knew everybody. Now we're so big, we don't get to know everybody all the time. Other than the disciplinary hearings, I don't get to meet people that much anymore.
"The place has gotten so big, I just got to be more professional, just do my job and get it done," Martinez continued. "I don't have time for that relaxation and getting around to know people and stuff, like we were when we were real small.
"But it seems to be running really good, and I enjoy working here."
Davis agreed, "It changed a lot. The overall atmosphere." However, he said dealings with inmates have stayed the same, no matter the size. "The way we talk to the inmates now is the same way as when we first started. That part has never changed."
What has caused them to stay with the company for 10 years?
"Money, people," Rodriguez replied. "I get along with everybody here. It's a good place to work. I like it."
Davis agreed, "The money's good, the way I'm treated is good, it's a lot different than other places I've worked."
Martinez said, "I would have to say the career itself has broadened my access as far as doing things in corrections. I really enjoy it. The pay is very good. I started out here when we were making $9 an hour. Now we're making good money. ... I also enjoy my job, I work different parts of the facility and I really enjoy this line of work."
What about the next 10 years?
"It's probably going to grow more," Martinez said. " ... and there's a lot of opportunity for advancement." "Hopefully I'm going to move up," Rodriguez agreed.
©Casa Grande Valley Newspapers Inc. 2004