Arizona has a total of 13 state-owned prisons. All the prisons share the same name, with the only distinction being the addition of their respective county names at the end. All prisons are designated as Arizona state prison complexes, with their county names added to distinguish them from one another.
Arizona State Prison Complex – Douglas, Arizona
Douglas is one of the thirteen prisons located within the Arizona State Prison Complex. It is owned by the state and functions under the Arizona Department of Corrections. The facility can accommodate 2,148 inmates. It was founded in 1984.
The Arizona state prison complex in Douglas has a notable history of disturbances and demonstrations. Following the opening, a significant riot occurred in the prison in 1987, resulting in extensive damage throughout the facility, making it a challenging environment for everyone involved. This presents numerous chances for prisoners to break free, alongside the fatalities of inmates. Reports indicate that 37 inmates have died, while the status of the others remains unknown.
Arizona State Prison Complex – Ayman
Ayman is recognized as the largest prison in Arizona’s state prison complex. Opened in 1991, it has the capacity to accommodate 4,549 inmates. The facility now features combined security measures at levels 3, 4, and 5 due to concerns over potential infiltration and riots. A significant presence of guards ensuring its protection.
When placed in prison alongside others, they often engage in more fighting and violence. In 2019, Thompson was incarcerated in the Arizona state prison complex and faced murder charges. During a visit from his sister-in-law and brother, he attacked them and other officers present with a small handmade knife, leading to the deaths of everyone in the room, leaving him as the sole survivor, albeit with serious injuries.
Arizona State Prison Complex – Perryville
Perryville, the second largest prison in Arizona, can hold up to 460 inmates. Established in 1981. A facility exclusively for women on death row.
In 1997, at the Perryville State Prison in Arizona, a correction officer was fatally attacked. The officer had called three inmates for a discussion, removing their handcuffs to allow them to speak freely. During this time, one inmate stabbed the officer, while the others assisted in the assault, leading to his death before backup arrived to help. Three inmates have been charged with murder, facing severe penalties without the option for bail or a reduction in their sentences.
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Arizona State Prison Complex – Florence
The Arizona State Prison Complex in Florence opened its doors in 1908 and can accommodate up to 3,946 inmates simultaneously. The facility features four tiers of security and is home to the primary federal-state inmates.
In 2020, a significant riot occurred at the Arizona State Prison complex in Florence, despite its four levels of security. This incident resulted in an explosion in the prison’s cooking unit and enabled several hundred inmates to escape.
Officers later referred to this riot as a war zone due to the fatalities it caused among many officers, guards, and staff members in the cooking unit during the explosion. Following the riot, authorities opted to enhance security measures.
Arizona State Prison Complex – Tucson
The Tucson State Prison complex in Arizona began operations in January 1978, designed to accommodate 4,830 inmates. It features three and four levels of security due to its distance of 127 miles from Arizona’s capital.
This facility has a capacity for 4,830 inmates, but the close quarters often lead to reports of inmate fatalities. These occur because of conflicts between individuals or fatalities resulting from a lack of timely medical care. During the first five months of 2022, over 300 inmates lost their lives.
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The reason behind the limited number of inmates murdered by their peers has been revealed. While the others remain to be revealed. There are claims that guard staff are responsible for their deaths, yet no evidence supports this, leading to the conclusion that these deaths occur without any apparent reason. Some are attacked with knives, some are assaulted violently, and some succumb to their injuries.