Advocates to Ducey: Scrap bid for more private prisons

A small group of prison reform advocates on Monday called on Gov. Doug Ducey to cancel the bidding process for 2,000 additional correctional beds, following a private prison riot earlier this month outside of Kingman.

Standing on the Capitol lawn, speakers said the $50 million earmarked for more prison beds could be better used for education, social services or more probation programs to help inmates stay out of prison.

The roughly 30-minute event beneath a sweltering heat attracted about 25 people, including at least two Democratic lawmakers. Organizers said the riots during the July 4 weekend at the Management & Training Corp. prison in Golden Valley should make Ducey re-evaluate whether Arizona needs more private correctional facilities.

The riots caused severe damage and only were quelled after the Arizona Department of Corrections sent in heavily armed officers with assault rifles and tear gas. More than 1,000 inmates have been evacuated to county jails and private prisons inside and outside Arizona.

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The Department of Corrections last week postponed by two months to Sept. 22, the application deadline for bidders to run a new private prison, citing the riots at the Kingman facility for the delay. Corrections officials say the beds are needed to ease overcrowding.

Caroline Isaacs of event organizer American Friends Service Committee Arizona, said public opinion is changing regarding the use of private prisons.

“Even before this latest fiasco at Kingman, Arizonans were fed up with private prisons,” said Isaacs, who added that additional prison beds take more money from the general fund.

The governor’s office was non-committal about any additional delays in the bidding process.

“Gov. Ducey wants to get all the facts, which is why he’s asked the Department of Corrections to complete a thorough review and investigation of the incidents at the Kingman facility. Once those findings are done, the focus will be on doing what is best for public safety,” said Annie Dockendorff, a Ducey spokeswoman.

A Department of Corrections spokesman had no comment.

Bethany Lambrecht, a leader for Valley Interfaith Project, was among the speakers Monday calling on Ducey and state leaders to divert funds for private prisons to other programs. She said Arizona’s “scarce resources” should be used to expand services for veterans and those with drug addictions.

Felina Rodriguez, an 18-year-old Arizona State University student, told the group her family is struggling to cover the rising cost for higher education while the state wants to spend more on private prisons.

Also on hand was Bob Libal, executive director of Grassroots Leadership. His national organization pushes for criminal justice reform.

Libal, in an interview, said his home state of Texas closed three prisons the past few years and saved millions of dollars in the process.

“The tragedy in Kingman should have Arizona rethinking its criminal justice system,” Libal said.

Monday’s rally follows criticism from the Arizona Sheriffs Association, which has complained to Ducey about the bidding process for more prison beds. The association, which represents all 15 county sheriffs, has said the application process was tailored to benefit private prison companies and intentionally shut out counties from vying for the lucrative contract.