PHOENIX — Violent incidents in Arizona’s prisons fell in October to their lowest level since early 2023, the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry said, crediting an 18-month safety strategy.
The department laid out the changes made under Director Ryan Thornell, KTAR News reported. They include hiring hundreds of newly graduated correctional officers and assigning staff directly inside close-custody control rooms.
Body-worn cameras are now used in maximum custody, close custody and mental health units to allow continuous monitoring, according to the department. A digital inmate mail system was added to cut down on contraband, and high-risk items are being phased out of housing cells.
The department also said it enforces stricter classification rules to make sure inmates are housed at the right custody level, and launched a Violence Reduction Workgroup of staff and outside experts.
For employees, the agency added a full-time wellness program administrator, peer support teams, round-the-clock crisis resources and an open-door policy for raising concerns confidentially.
The report comes days after a union representing corrections officers called for Thornell’s removal over assaults on staff. The department described October’s numbers as positive initial results.
Sources: KTAR News. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
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