In the Fall of 2023, Director Thornell announced a new high-level position in the DOC….Assistant Director of Women’s Affairs, Amber Marshall. Dr. Thornell realized that incarcerated women in AZ had been neglected for too long, so he created this position.

Amber Marshall has experience as an officer and is enthusiastic about her new position. The problem is, the women of Perryville have no idea she exists! There was one mass email sent out in late 2023, and Ms. Marshall has attended several Townhall meetings at various units. In our opinion, there should be posters on every bulletin board, and ways ladies can get in touch with her.

An inmate advocate who interviewed her said, “She wonders why she doesn’t hear from the women she serves.” We have a theory! The deputy wardens and staff don’t want the ladies to know about Amber…..after all, she is a direct conduit to Thornell. All units are secretive, it’s a part of their culture. We are on a mission to correct that, and have advised our sources and advocates on each unit to spread the word.