PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry (ADCRR) has announced new measures aimed at improving safety and reducing violence in state prisons.
The changes include the deployment of body-worn cameras for corrections officers, expanded training and leadership programs, and upgraded infrastructure designed to limit potential weapons and reduce contraband, AZ Family reported. The agency says the efforts are intended to enhance security while supporting inmates’ successful reintegration into society.
“Working collaboratively with countless partners and supporters from around the state, ADCRR’s nearly 9,000 correctional officers and staff remain dedicated to their duties of public safety and rehabilitation,” ADCRR Director Ryan Thornell said in a statement. “Powered by their 24/7 public service, ADCRR will continue to reduce prison violence, creating safer prisons, safer communities, and a safer Arizona for all.”
Key measures announced by ADCRR:
- Body-worn cameras: First deployed in May, with 1,330 cameras now in use across facilities.
- Real-time monitoring: The Emergency Operations Center is using body-camera and CCTV footage to enhance incident surveillance.
- Safer infrastructure: Plastic fans and lightweight padlocks are being issued to reduce their potential use as weapons. Mail processing is also being modernized to limit contraband.
- Training and staffing: Expanded training curriculum, a new leadership workshop, and strengthened hiring efforts for frontline staff.
The announcement follows a violent incident at the Tucson prison in April, where three inmates were killed. The suspect, Ricky Wassenaar, was already serving multiple life sentences stemming from a 2004 prison hostage situation. His transfer from maximum security to a lower security level last year has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers, who have since launched a review of ADCRR practices.
