Charles Ryan, ADC Director, Reports 640 Staff Arrests in last 4 1/2 Years

Open Letter to Chad Campbell Dear Minority Leader Chad Campbell, I just saw you the other day on television and you appeared to be enraged about what you saw in Wendy Halloran’s television report aired on Friday night. This report was just the tip of the iceberg as the Arizona Department of Corrections is infiltrated and dominated with a culture that is harmful to staff and inmates within the system. Not judging them or even casting stones at them for a most difficult job they have in running a prison system I do criticize them to the fullest my Bill of Rights give me. (Read below as space requires me to break this Open Letter to Rep. Chad Campbell into several pieces - I apologize for being so wordy.. but it has to be said)  This letter was also sent to 72 state legislators in AZ

I criticize them for ignoring human decency and human rights. The willful ignorance of denying a human being from being treated fair and square under the rule of law should not be an acceptable methodology to run prisons anywhere. Strangely we were all shocked at the Abu Ghraib scandal but when we reveal our own scandal here within Arizona prisons being run by the same man that was instrumental in setting up the Abu Ghraib prison mentality and culture, it is most acceptable and without a peep of outrage or disgust. I criticize them for ignoring sound correctional practices being used throughout the United States but not inside our own prisons. It appears that the lack of statutory regulations on how a prison should be run is being left up to the discretion of one man appointed by the governor in a political situation rather than a justified and ethical one. I criticize the legislature for allowing free rein of the prison system without oversight and levels of accountability as they encourage the cloak and dagger scenario of non-transparency and ask no question on its business.

II criticize the Governor for her hands-off attitude and letting the director destroy a good penal system single handed and decimating staff morale by implementing personnel and disciplinary policies that create low morale and high discipline unjust and unwarranted as it is politically motivated as it sits on paper. I criticize the people of Arizona, myself included, for allowing the high number of deaths and violence [mostly gang related] to exist and not lift a hand to stop it. I am appalled by the apathy and nonchalant attitudes that prevail when we talk about prison abuse and staffing patterns that induce severe public safety issues as it creates severe gaps of safety nets once in place to control the prison systems effectively and efficiently. I criticize and blame the lobbyist of private prisons and other entities enlisted to bring more hybrid governance with our government for the wrong reasons. Instead of saving money we are spending more. They foster and influence this mentally to lock people up for longer sentences for minor crimes to district attorneys, county prosecutors, judges, sheriffs and correctional administrators that to lock people up is good for business not realizing the money flow will stop one day.

Open Letter to Rep. Chad Campbel - Part II - Most of all, I criticize the growth and the wealth of the private prison business, the food business, the medical and healthcare business, the telephone business, the commissary business, the agriculture business, the fabrication business, the furniture business and the slavery [cheap labor of inmates] and the business of paying off legislators so they will embrace and endorse more growth in prison related activities within Arizona. These jobs could in fact be filled by those unemployed in various communities. I applaud those that stand alone in their will and refusal to join these gatherings of vultures [corrupt political leaders] that have sold their soul for a penny here and a dollar there. Their greed and lust for power, influence and control has been transferred to the director of the prison system so he can rule autonomously without following the rule of law. They are literally picking the flesh off the bones left behind of those that died. This is why Arizona prisons will soon fail and explode into a revolution that will result in personal harm or death, destruction of state property and jeopardize the safety of all those communities wherein these prisons are located until the local and state law enforcement agencies can re-take control of these facilities and conduct a comprehensive and factual after-action review that will glean every detail I have just criticized.

Charles Ryan is the worst criminal of them all - he just has the permission of the state to perpetrate the harm he does, unlike the rest of us. If we want to chain and torture 40,000 people (and their families), we'd get into a hell of a lot of trouble for it.  

Anyway, I don't understand how he has all this understanding and tolerance for the criminals who work for him everyone wants to give the employees resources to stabilize their lives and save their jobs and families. In the meantime, of course - out of a billion dollar budget, with a prison population which Ryan says 75% of are in for drug-related crime, and over  -  only 4% of prisoners a year will get ANY kind of substance abuse treatment from the DOC.   http://www.azcorrections.gov/adc/reports/CAG/CAGJul12.pdf

That means most of the prisoners who have tested positive for Hep C (curent count is 6,621) wont be allowed to get medical care for it - they have to prove they've been drug free for a year, and will stay that way - though heroin is easier to get in prison than on the streets these days (thanks in no smalll part to corrupt guards), and with no programming to help rehabilitate them, a lot of guys are coming out hooked on stuff they never took before going in - and like Carlo Krackoff, some are dying from it. http://www.azcorrections.gov/adc/reports/CAG/2013/CAGJan13.pdf

The high prevalence of violence in AZ State prisons right now is in large part a consequence of the mentality of DOC staff (beginning at the top, with Ryan) who themselves know nothing but the use of violence to solve problems and don't have qualms about smuggling heroin in for a few extra bucks - that's one reason some prison towns have such high violent crime and drug abuse rates, the guards, not the families of prisoners, move in. http://www.realcostofprisons.org/materials/comics/prison_town.pdf

Sad that the only thing Ryan seems able to do in response to prisoner violence is  build 500 more supermax beds...of course, the mentally ill, not the "worst of the worst" are the ones who end up there. Help us stop him. http://arizonaprisonwatch.blogspot.com/2013/03/act-now-urgent-appeal-to-families-and.html   

Thanks for this Stephen, you Feathered Bastard...

continued why GOP wants to keep Ryan ~ Reason six – has decimated personnel rules to serve at will for new employees destroying morale from within while embellishing accomplishments of the private prisons for comparison while intimidating his own employees into silence and compliance or lose their jobs under newly implemented disciplinary process. Short staffing patterns creates hazardous work conditions and jeopardize staff safety and inmate safety but most of all ~ public safety Reason seven – has ensured continued funding and payment of prisoners returning to prison for the private prisons as these are already schooled and not problematic for these contractors to handle through high recidivism rates. An experienced inmate is cheaper to keep and a better profit margin for the private prisons. Recidivism is a tool to keep prisons full for CCA MTC GEO and others willing to do it. Reason eight – he pays private prisons 100 % bed costs even when empty beds are there due to contractual agreement to pay minimum base for housing inmates without medical or psychological needs. Reason nine- he controls contract monitors to report favorable conditions from the private sector Reason ten – he makes society and the majorities, state conservatives feel safe and is tough on criminal ala Joe Arpaio and lets them think we have smaller government.

Why the GOP want to keep Ryan the agency director and their “Enabler to Profits” Reason one – he controls the purse strings to spend and allocate where he can do most destruction from within ignoring state buildings but asking more $ for private beds.Reason two – he can accommodate contractual expectations without oversight and give the impressions we are saving money but in fact spreading the wealth to contractors via the taxpayers Reason three – he can facilitate the money made on private contracts of prison beds, services, commissary telephone etc making it look like there is less government function. And put money in his political allies’ pockets. Reason four – he can make more money per capita for the contractors and make it look like public safety and lesser threats of disruptive behaviors by inmates cherry picked for the private prison while endangering his own state run prisons by neglect. Reason five – has a high concentration of legislators backing him to push corporate influence maintaining capital cash flows and expanding prison growth

Wanna see the real scoop of what goes on inside the ADOC read this website and go to Jim's Page its full of great information on staffing and inmate management issues: don't be shy.. the Pandoras's box has been opened and you better take a look so you are informed before you comment.. Its' not pretty but its real link www.thunderrolls.net

What also needs to be addressed is the outrageous inmate assault ratio we have in AZ prisons.. If I am correct, we had 377 assaults on staff last year.. that's up from the years before and steadily increasing.. what is the problem here? Im only guessing but here is my take on it with an insightful quote from someone that shares my viewpoint of the DOC management team concept today in Phx as we know that the type of inmate has changed. their generations are mixed and this impacts prison populations conditions that must be effectively managed. We are running the DOC on a concept or principle that was good 30 to 40 years ago.

This concept is revolutionary to these new inmates who don't accept the concept of "because I said so" and creates conflicts hence assaults. We need to bridge the communication and generational gaps.. it is causing tension between inmates and staff resulting in violence. this is not being managed by Phx only made worse with their iron grip mentally to control the population so tight it will explode. Keep in mind this generational gap also applies to correctional officers as we have a reported high number of misconduct and arrests as Stephen Lemons so eloquently revealed although considered a self-report, it is a management attempt to control the internal damage within as they predict further failures and setting up staff for the blame.

Carl ToersBijns ‎Chad Campbell now the words have been spoken, what is your next course of action regarding the DOC.. I know you are overwhelmed by information right now but just in case you need a reminder.. I m just a phone call away and stand in solidarity with your goals.. Remember though this is just the tip of the iceberg as the part not seen is bigger than the both of us and maintained by the GOP majority. Not making this a political event, it might meet extreme resistance unless public opinion sways them to back your efforts.Chad Campbell, your idea of an oversight has been an idea and concept for many years now since my retirement; I would like to add that any oversight, whether into the Mental Health, Medical or other support function of the DOC, it must be balanced with Operations ~ that is my forte and my strength..

This is a 360 concept and must be conducted for all practical purposes as a single cell not individually like many propose ~

When you need someone to deal with the binding forces to mold a seamless DOC concept regarding the legislative expectations and practices.. I would like to be a part of that project since I have strong background in Operational concepts within the DOC and its cultural practices.

I love you for this, Stephen. Thank from Dana Seawright's mom, as well as all the victims and survivors of that man's abusive reign...

When Charles Flanagan left the DOC, the corruption and bad decision making went through the roof as well as prison administrators falling and being set up for failures so they could be replaced with those in favor but current leadership. In fact it is accurate and bold enough to say there is no leadership within the DOC on the fourth floor on Jefferson Avenue. They all nod their heads when the leader speaks and autonomy is the rule of law as they carry out the whims of the Governor’s Chief of Staff and lobbyists for private prisons. Don’t let it fool you.

They are smart. It was their plan to ask for more money [ 50 million] to expand maximum security as they came in with an agenda that would overfill current bed space and drive up the need for more max beds [the rest of the story]. Then they altered the classification scale or risk assessment to accommodate the private prisons for more prisoners even though they pay for guaranteed empty beds as it stands.

This agency needs to be put under oversight by a citizens committee joined by a criminal judge, a human rights judge, an attorney from the AG (nope they are in cahoots with DOC) and two civic leaders preferable a minister or preacher and a citizen.. all having subpoena powers.. That’s what AZ needs since the Governor is closing her eyes on misconduct, malfeasance and fiscal overspending and neglect.

Oh no, where will guests at the hotel go? Hmm, how about AZ88, Old Town Tavern, Blue Moose, Tommy V's, or practically anywhere else within walking distance of the hotel.

I welcome the criticism.. It provokes the thought process and is necessary for awareness and discussions. I wouldn't have it any other way.. Speak you mind.. its your right to do so and if we disagree then we disagree nothing more nothing less

Is there a hidden message here? - perhaps  Quality Leadership or lack of moral leadership to be exact? ~When Charles L Ryan took over, he dismissed all those not in accord with his own moral compass and hired and appointed those from the Lewis regime, his own regime and former Stewart regime.. If it was a step backwards, you should know this is still a growing concern. In other words he hired those he could control politically and administratively. He has become a powerful politically endorsed bully and his leadership circle practices this same methodology creating more bullies inside the DOC. They protect the bad apples and go after the good officers with excessive discipline.

The moral core is corrupted -  Criminals watching criminals?? Truthfully speaking, it appears to be a disconcerting trend indeed.... unless changes are made soon.Qualified staff need qualified leadership ~ you get what you hire and less when the emphasis is quantity not quality = abuse of power and misconduct.

Good staff [about 90 %]  are waiting for this change to occur but its likely not to come for awhile under Gov Brewer who endorsed this leadership from the start.

Governor Brewer, are you listening???  Low pay equals low quality employees.  While you have pre-occupied with the border, you have let down most State employees who have not seen meaningful pay increases to keep up with other agencies.  These agencies don't have the state's issues, because they hire better qualified employees and PAY them apropriately.  State employees  are 25% behind city/county governmental employees...  If you want quality government folks, you gotta pay for it.  It's a sad situation Governor.  Are you listening?

:O....WHAT the ?......Oh ARIZONA !

How does this negatively reflect on his leadership?  As previously posted he is not hiding this problem.  DOC can only recruit those willing to work in the shittiest environment in the State and pay that is abysmal.  So you get what you pay for--seems Ryan is doing a good job to merely keep the prison meagerly staffed.  AZ DOC is a 50/50 organization.  50% of them are hardworking, honest State employees--the other 50% are useless slugs who simply show-up for a paycheck.  Those are ones getting into trouble.