Retiring Arizona Prison Watch...


This site was originally started in July 2009 as an independent endeavor to monitor conditions in Arizona's criminal justice system, as well as offer some critical analysis of the prison industrial complex from a prison abolitionist/anarchist's perspective. It was begun in the aftermath of the death of Marcia Powell, a 48 year old AZ state prisoner who was left in an outdoor cage in the desert sun for over four hours while on a 10-minute suicide watch. That was at ASPC-Perryville, in Goodyear, AZ, in May 2009.

Marcia, a seriously mentally ill woman with a meth habit sentenced to the minimum mandatory 27 months in prison for prostitution was already deemed by society as disposable. She was therefore easily ignored by numerous prison officers as she pleaded for water and relief from the sun for four hours. She was ultimately found collapsed in her own feces, with second degree burns on her body, her organs failing, and her body exceeding the 108 degrees the thermometer would record. 16 officers and staff were disciplined for her death, but no one was ever prosecuted for her homicide. Her story is here.

Marcia's death and this blog compelled me to work for the next 5 1/2 years to document and challenge the prison industrial complex in AZ, most specifically as manifested in the Arizona Department of Corrections. I corresponded with over 1,000 prisoners in that time, as well as many of their loved ones, offering all what resources I could find for fighting the AZ DOC themselves - most regarding their health or matters of personal safety.

I also began to work with the survivors of prison violence, as I often heard from the loved ones of the dead, and learned their stories. During that time I memorialized the Ghosts of Jan Brewer - state prisoners under her regime who were lost to neglect, suicide or violence - across the city's sidewalks in large chalk murals. Some of that art is here.

In November 2014 I left Phoenix abruptly to care for my family. By early 2015 I was no longer keeping up this blog site, save occasional posts about a young prisoner in solitary confinement in Arpaio's jail. I'm deeply grateful to the prisoners who educated, confided in, and encouraged me throughout the years I did this work. My life has been made all the more rich and meaningful by their engagement.

I've linked to some posts about advocating for state prisoner health and safety to the right, as well as other resources for families and friends.

until all are free -

MARGARET J PLEWS (June 1, 2015)
arizonaprisonwatch@gmail.com



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Showing posts with label grief. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grief. Show all posts

Sunday, September 11, 2011

the Desaparecidos of 9/11: Immigrants died there, too.

A memorial re-post from last year...

Gee Vaucher


A friend passed these lyrics on to me today in remembrance of those most forgotten from the tragedy on 9/11/2001. Grief was spoken in our country in many languages that day - and it was silenced by fear. Still is.

This is for the families of the Desaparecidos everywhere.
May you someday safely bring your loved ones into our light.


--------------------------

If I Give Your Name

by Emmas Revolution
Mi esposa, my wife, worked on the 80th floor
The company had hired illegals before
She got the job by word of mouth
That’s the way in the north when you’re from the south
They say 3,000 but the counting’s not done
Mi esposa está muerta
Three thousand and one

I have no papers, I have no rights
All my days end in sleepless nights
Missing you, silently
If I give your name
Will they come after me?

Mi hermano, my brother, the elevator man
A doctor in our country but you take what you can
I saw the photos in Union Square
But I could not leave his picture there
They say 3,000 but that’s not true
Mi hermano no volverá
Three thousand and two

Mi hija, my daughter, went in early that day
She had always been that way
Her daughter asks, "Where did she go?"
How to tell her, I don’t know
They say 3,000 but that can’t be
Perdí a mi hija
Three thousand and three

Mi padre, my father, I have no words
I tried to find you when I heard
They gave some ashes to families
But I’ll only have the ones I breathe
They say 3,000 there’s so many more
Desaparecidos
Three thousand and four

Mi esposa, my wife. Will they come after me?
Mi hermano, my brother. Will they come after me?
Mi hija, my daughter. Will they come after me?
Mi padre, my father. If I give your name,
Will they come after me?

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Peace, Mom.

My mother, Jean Boatman, passed away yesterday afternoon in Fountain Hills. Her memorial service is to be held Saturday, August 27, at 10am at Fountains United Methodist Church, 15300 North Fountain Hills Boulevard, in Fountain Hills.

Thank you all for your prayers and kind wishes.
Tell someone you love them today in lieu of sending flowers.






And thanks for joining me so wholeheartedly on this journey Mom; you are such a beautiful soul, and have been a dear friend. Thank you for believing in us all.

Have a safe trip home...

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Mother's Day: Silent Tears.

by Kebby Warner

Tiny little hands gripping my own,
Promises made only to be broken.
Who do I blame? Myself, of course.
Will she ever know my name?
Wanting to change my past,
Uncertain about my future.
Mistake made, lessons learned…life.
Will she ever know my name?
Phone calls once a month.
The tiny little voice so many miles away.
Longing to hold her in my arms.
Will she ever know my name?
Silent tears flow down my face.
No one can see them they’re hiding,
Hiding them selves inside my soul.
She still doesn’t know my name,
Will she ever know?

--------------------------
 
Originally published at:
Women and Prison: A Site for Resistance, 
a project of Beyondmedia Education.
Beyondmedia Education
4001 N. Ravenswood #204 C
Chicago, IL 60613
USA
tel: 773-857-7300
fax: 773-857-7301
info@womenandprison.org
www.beyondmedia.org