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Cam Hunter, Public Information Officer
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The estimate for damages caused by inmates to the mess hall at the Cimarron Unit, Arizona State Prison Complex-Tucson, is about $28,000 to repair and/or replace metal tables and stools, light fixtures and ceiling tiles, flooring, windows, and a coffee urn. (See photos attached)

On Monday, January 17, 43 inmates barricaded themselves into the unit dining hall after an altercation that resulted in injury to three staff members. Two correctional officers were treated for injuries and released. A third staff member, a sergeant, was hospitalized until Wednesday then released. No inmates suffered injuries.

The inmates surrendered after Tactical Support Unit (TSU) team members dispensed chemical agents into the mess hall. The inmates were transferred later that day to a maximum security unit at another ADC prison complex and now face criminal charges and disciplinary action. The Cimarron Unit remains on restricted movement until the investigation is complete.

There were two other inmate-on-staff assaults in ADC prisons this past week:

On Tuesday, January 18, a correctional officer was punched by an inmate in a dormitory at the Barchey Unit, Arizona State Prison Complex-Lewis. No weapon has been found and it is believed none was used. The officer is being treated for injuries at a local hospital.

On Wednesday, January 19, a correctional officer was assaulted by an inmate in a housing unit at the Kaibab Unit, Arizona State Prison Complex-Winslow. The inmate punched the officer with his fists and attempted to stab the officer in the hand with an ink pen. The officer was treated at a local hospital and released to duty.

While the investigations into the three inmate-on-staff assaults that occurred this week are not yet complete, department officials do not believe at this time that the incidents were related, linked to gang activity, racial issues or the anniversary of the Lewis Prison 2004 hostage situation. They all appeared to be isolated incidents.

Department statistics show over 40% of the agency’s 32,000 inmates are dangerous felons, serving time for violent crimes. And while records show the number of staff assaults has dropped by about half over the past three years, ADC Director Dora Schriro says even one inmate-on-staff assault is too many. "Assigned to posts behind the prisons' walls, staff's working conditions as well as their contributions to public safety are all too

often overlooked. We must make the most of this legislative session and appropriate the funds needed to equip our correctional officers with basic security equipment like radios and cameras, and provide better compensation."

Gov. Janet Napolitano announced last week she wants to spend $4.2 million next fiscal year to protect employees at Arizona's prisons by buying better radios for corrections officers and creating special squads to search for contraband and makeshift weapons.

During 2002, there were 304 (51 with weapons) inmate-on-staff assaults. In 2003, there were 221 (13 with weapons) in 2003. Last year, 166 (8 with weapons) inmate-on-staff assaults were reported.

Damage in Dining Hall