Cayetano discusses Arizona prison

By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

Gov. Ben Cayetano yesterday said he's concerned about the problems in the Arizona prison facility housing more than 560 Hawai'i inmates, but that "under the circumstances it is the best option that we have."

State reports obtained by The Advertiser show that a team sent to survey conditions at the Florence, Ariz. prison did not inspect the entire facility because of the potentially violent environment. The report described the prison as "a facility in turmoil" and referred to widespread drug use, drug smuggling by prison staff, lax security measures and a powerful prison gang.

The Arizona prison is operated by Corrections Corporation of America. The state pays CCA about $17 million a year to house about 1,100 state inmates on the Mainland, including the inmates in Florence. The state is preparing to sign a new contract with the company. Some changes, such as replacing the warden, have been made since the reports, but officials said inmate programs required under the CCA contract are not fully provided.

"We're concerned, but the briefing that I received from (state Public Safety Director) Ted Sakai indicates that steps have been taken," Cayetano said. "It's no question that we're lacking in some programs but we had to reach a certain critical mass before it became worthwhile for them to put in the programs.

"We also have some of our worst behavioral types of prisoners there, and Arizona was willing to take them. I think that probably helped us out here in Hawai'i."