Goddard blames Brewer for prison meltdown

LETTER
TO THE
EDITOR

Jim,
Over the weekend, there was yet another incident in the Arizona State Prison system - a melee in the Florence facility involving 80 inmates, possibly more. At least four corrections officers were hurt.

Governor Jan Brewer needs to take responsibility for the security meltdown in Corrections. In just weeks, we have seen an escape from a for-profit private prison that resulted in the murder of two innocent people; another inmate simply walked away; and now, word comes that four officers have been injured. We cannot afford to see other mistakes occur in the next weeks.

No matter how much she tries to blame others, the responsibility lies with Jan Brewer. She signed the budget containing millions in cuts to the prison system without exploring other options. The Department of Corrections' own report found that the Kingman facility operated by Management and Training Corporation of Utah, from where the 3 violent offenders escaped, had a security record with a "culture of indifference."

I call on Jan Brewer to finally take action. She should immediately terminate the contract with Management and Training Corporation of Utah and institute the changes needed to return our prison system to the high level of security the people of Arizona deserve.

Sincerely,
Terry Goddard
Attorney General
Democratic candidate for Governor