Infrastructure Nightmares
Introduction to this Topic by the Editor
I need to give you a little background on Perryville so this will be more understandable. This prison was built in the early
Explaining the Shower Picture
This is an accurate sketch of a real shower in “B” yard, Santa Cruz unit. Do you see the loose wires hanging in the lower door jamb? I was told they were “live” because this shower light is still on. I won’t test this theory! I’ve tried to portray all the standing water in front of those wires. All the shower units have standing water because the drains are all plugged.
Standing water = black mold we see everywhere
When inmates complained about the condition of this shower, they just took off the door and left it open. In the shower next to this one (not pictured) is the same filth.
The regulators (hot and cold) will not engage so moving the handle from Hot to Cold does nothing. The temperature the DOC sets is what you get. In the winter the water is cold and in the summer, it’s hot. The water pressure would increase dramatically if they would soak the shower heads in Lime-aWay to remove 50 years of accumulated minerals.
Aramark rollout Perryville
One thing we know for sure about the first 24 hours of Aramark food is….it’s VERY popular with the residents. All units report long lines “to the I-10 freeway” (hyperbole obviously), but the meaning is clear, people that never ate prison food, are going to the chow hall.
Our research shows that Trinity/Keefe started at Perryville in 2010. That means nutrition and taste have been mostly missing from the women’s diet for 14 years. Initial emails extolled the bliss of the “fresh fruit cup” with bananas, apples, and orange slices. Raves poured in about the sausage….no longer “shmeat” (mechanically separated chicken parts mixed with TVP, a textured vegetable protein infused with solvents) but a real sausage patty, tender and delicious, and pancakes with REAL maple syrup! The only thing negative we heard was the way the DOC handled the unusual crush of people going to the kitchen. We will report back with more foodie reviews after a few weeks!
Staff: Mental health at Cruz improved since Hub
Several staff members working at Cruz, including mental health professionals, have written in to comment on improved attitudes of inmates since the opening of the Hub. Arizona State University has long had a “Hub” at Santa Cruz for art classes and various learning events. This year the residents went all out redecorating the entire space for the rededication in September. Cruz is the only unit with a trauma informed classroom. It’s also a place to “just chill out and relax”. Tara Diaz, DOC’s Assistant Director, remarked the trauma informed classroom will build a sense of community at Cruz. There are ASU Transformation Groups, ASU classes on many subjects, with goals and projects for each resident of Santa Cruz. We wish every unit in Perryville had a Hub…..and why not?
70 year old on verge of death because of No-Care-Naphcare
This is a heartbreaker. Through the years we’ve noticed that women with significant family support, have much better health outcomes. In this case, not even the heroic actions of her son saved his mother from the hateful clutches of evil Naphcare.
Several years ago on Cruz, Mrs. L. complained to the medical department about stomach and intestinal issues. As usual, without an MRI or any other diagnostic tool, they tossed her some Tums and that was it. As symptoms grew worse, she started to believe it might be her heart and she asked for help on that. All Naphcare would do was the cheapest, most elementary tests that were, of course, inconclusive.
Mrs. L. was then transferred to San Carlos for her last 5 years of torture. By this time the once vibrant woman was in a walker with seat. She was gray and pale and had lost 50 pounds. Her son in California, was already hounding Naphcare and the prison for better medical care for his mom.
A total collapse, and vital signs that even scared the nurses, led to a 911 call for Mrs. L. She spent two weeks in the hospital enduring two major surgeries….wait for it…..cancer of the bowel! The surgeons removed 18 inches of mass and intestine and inserted a port for chemotherapy.
It was stressed that she needed immediate chemo as the cancer was the type that would spread quickly. Yeah, you guessed it….it’s been three weeks and no chemo started, 5 days and no antibiotics started.
The son flew in from California and is screaming bloody murder to everybody including the governor. He is relentless in pursuing the Perryville warden and DW of Carlos. Yesterday, without antibiotics, sepsis started at her incision site…..then the stitches broke and she was bleeding all over her bed. Another 911 call to try and repair the grievous neglect of Perryville prison.
Will Mrs. L. live? Stay tuned to the blog for new developments.
New Data from World Prison Brief
This organization counted 2,068,800 US citizens incarcerated. That is an astounding 25% of the world's total prison population. Keep in mind we comprise only 4.17% of the world's total population in 2023, giving America the highest per capita rate of incarceration....
McDonald’s Happy Meal Has 50% More “Nuggets”
The profiteering Trinity gives women an average of 4 chicken nuggets in a bag, while McDonald's CHILDREN'S meal has 6. The women receive food portions not deemed adequate for a child. Half-sized food portions are the norm, and mechanically separated chicken (bone,...
DOC Tells R and A Women to “Fail the Mandatory test!!
Those low-down bastards. Anything-to-make-a-buck Perryville. Now the staff is telling the girls to fail the test in R A so that Mandatory will be a "major program" when they go to the general population. What they DON'T tell them is 1) Top pay will be 10 cents/hour 2)...
Oregon And California Prisons All You Can Eat Salad Bars…And More!!
We've had the opportunity to interview ladies here, that were transferred from other state prisons. What a tale they tell. Oh, how Arizona punishes its people. The West Coast prisons have fresh salad bars for lunch and dinner. The residents can grow their own gardens,...
TABE Money Making Scheme Explained By Advocate
"I am an advocate for all families that are being affected emotionally and financially by ADCRR's current and unlawful use of TABE 11 and 12 grade, pre-college curriculum, in place of 8th-grade literacy, statute 31.229 and DOC 910, section 3.0 for the financial,...
DOC’s Latest Money Making Scheme Revealed!
(Letter received from minimum resident) "I am currently enrolled in Mandatory. (Ed. note: Until recently, mandatory was a 8th grade equivalency test all inmates are required to pass. Not passing this test affects everything in their life during incarceration.) I have...
Adult Protective Services Just Like the DOC?
A recent article in the Republic said about APS, "Numerous gaps were found in the state system of providing protection to vulnerable adults who are unable to protect themselves because of physical or mental impairment, or they are incapacitated." "Allegations of...
It’s time to FIRE OFFICER CHEATHAM!!
We have received many, many complaints about this transport officer. It's time to put his name on the internet and let Dr. Thornell know that this is the type of guard that risks lives. Reportedly, he has always been known for his erratic and dangerous driving, even...
Another Inmate FICO Goes Down In Flames!
We've been writing about the for-profit healthcare vendors destroying inmates' credit scores since our inception. Instead of getting better, it gets worse. Here's our latest example..... Ms. M. In 2021 she was sent by ambulance to Abrazo West Valley Hospital for...
Overcrowding In Perryville Causing Mental Health Crisis
Overcrowding is not the only reason for the mental health disaster that affects the ladies here, but it's a big contributor. The crowding is most felt in the dorm-style units, as there is absolutely NO PRIVACY. The lights burn all day and night....imagine trying to...
Guard Recounts Sad MAT Story
We have reported on this misguided MAT program, that turns clean and sober women into opioid addicts again....FOR MONETARY GAIN. Research revealed the culprit is the Republican-led legislature. Of course. We were fortunate enough to interview two women recently...
Perryville’s Geriatric and Disabled Crisis
Transcript of a letter to Ryan Thornell, Director of the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry: "I am an incarcerated resident of Perryville and advocate for the elderly and disabled living here. In society, we are invisible, forgotten,...
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