I was searching the Net looking for a comparison on Lewis prison and other prisons in our state & thought I'd share this for anyone who hasn't read it (even though I know we all know that our prison system isn't working):

In some cases, probation would be better than prison

Tribune Editorial
Nobody in Arizona believes everything is all right with its prison system. That is especially so since the agonizing standoff early this year at the Lewis facility near Buckeye, which turned into the longest such siege in U.S. history. Nobody died, but the scars will linger a long time.

The Lewis incident was but symptomatic of far deeper problems, according to a new report issued under the auspices of Families Against Mandatory Minimums.

This is a nationwide organization dedicated to reforming the judicial system with several goals in mind. Primarily, it wants to loosen the tough laws that require judges to imprison many who might otherwise benefit from probation and treatment for drug and alcohol problems. In the report issued Tuesday, it also expressed concern that Arizona seems to be locking up women and minorities at disproportionate rates.

Whatever attention this report gets from Arizona’s politicians and populace needs to be counterbalanced by full awareness of its source. The sponsoring organization is made up of people whose family members either are or were in prison. It’s a rare relative who concedes his brother or sister or husband or wife really ought to be locked up. Blood runs thicker than water, and some pretty bad actors would be on the streets if it were up to their next of kin.

Further, we take exception to the report’s assertion that people convicted of such crimes as drunken driving, fraud and forgery shouldn’t be locked up as much as they are. While drunken driving might not technically be a violent crime, try telling that to a person whose own relatives were maimed or killed by some souse. It is a crime that results in some of the most horrific violence we see on a daily basis in Arizona. As for fraud and forgery, these growing plagues are largely fueled by the drug trade and anyone who has been victimized has a right to expect due punishment for the perpetrators. In other words, the report could do with fewer crocodile tears.

That said, it deserves consideration nonetheless.

Judges often complain, for example, that their hands are tied when it comes to issuing long sentences for criminals who might benefit from a more enlightened approach, especially in drug-related cases. Some non-violent offenders might fare better on probation than in jail.

But let us be cautious with this. Drug and alcohol therapy is a fine thing, but society should reserve the right to deal sternly with those who use their addictions as excuses to harm others. It’s also worth asking why taxpayers should have to foot the bill to treat people who are reaping the fruits of their own bad choices.

Further, Arizona’s new prisons chief, Dora Schriro, came to the job with lots of good ideas about restructuring prison life to reduce recidivism and give inmates a chance at succeeding on the outside. Her ideas will take time but they have worked elsewhere. So it’s not as though nothing is being done to improve the situation.

Families Against Mandatory Minimums has provided a public service in the form of its report, which we hope becomes part of the process of turning things around in Arizona’s criminal justice system.

OK. I have too much time on my hands during vacation, but here's some more interesting (to me, LOL) information on AZ Prisons I got from the Net:


Inmate stabbed at Lewis prison

Posted: 10/22/2004 – 14:00:06
BUCKEYE, Ariz. (AP) -- Officials at the state's Lewis prison near Buckeye are investigating an inmate stabbing this morning.
Corrections spokeswoman Cam Hunter says three inmates are considered suspects in the stabbing of a fourth.
The victim's injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
The stabbing occurred this morning in a prison recreation yard.
The motive isn't known.
Hunter says the suspects quickly complied with the commands of corrections officers who stopped the attack.
She says officers found two home-made knives.
The prison remains in lockdown this morning.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Everett Communications
Unfortunately, building prisons is a growing business. We are filling them as fast as we can build them," states James McFadden, warden of Arizona State Prison Complex-Lewis (ASPC-Lewis). "During the last 10 years, the Department of Corrections has added more than 12,000 beds, doubling the state`s inmate capacity to nearly 26,000. Arizona has one of the highest inmates-per-capita population in the United States," he adds.
Today, Arizona has 12 prison complexes and continues to construct more. The newest prison, ASPC-Lewis (Buckeye, AZ), is named after retired director Samuel A. Lewis. The six units are named for officers who have died in the line of duty. "Lewis Prison, which sits on 1584 acres, is a city in itself," says McFadden. "The site supports its own wells and wastewater treatment plants, engineering plant, electrical plant, generators, fire department, education system, and 44 acres of agricultural fields
Official review of Buckeye facility finds unprofessionalism, laxness
By Barrett Marson

ARIZONA DAILY STAR

Phoenix - Just days after the longest prison hostage standoff in modern U.S. history ended, an assessment team on a tour of the prison in Buckeye found a correctional officer asleep in a guard tower.
A report from the team, obtained by the Arizona Daily Star on Tuesday, paints a disturbing picture of unprofessionalism by some officers at the Arizona State Prison Complex-Lewis facility, a number of team members wrote.
"While touring the unit, we found the tower officer asleep at his post. His jacket was covering him like a blanket," wrote Ed Fisher, deputy warden of the prison in Winslow, about his visits Feb. 2-8.
Another team member, William White, the deputy warden of the Buckley unit in Lewis, also had harsh words for some members of the staff.
"My overall assessment of staff was seen as unprofessional, disgruntled and sometimes even rude toward their fellow co-worker, supervisor and inmates," White wrote.
In addition to the attitude and rudeness of some guards, other officers were observed by team members bringing in books, music CDs and video games to use while on duty.
The Department of Corrections would not release the assessment Tuesday, citing the need to confer with its attorney.
The assessment team, which included supervisors and management from around the prison system, was sent into the Lewis complex by department Director Dora Schriro. It was asked to assess the operations of the prison.
The assessment comes as Gov. Janet Napolitano's panel approved recommendations to improve security and morale at the state's prisons.