The Arizona Republic ran an editorial on Friday questioning the use of private prisons in Arizona, after three violent criminals escaped from the for-profit Kingman prison on July 31. They literally strolled out to freedom. Tragically, two innocent people died during their flight.

Shortly after the escape, I called for a 5-point plan to improve prison security. There has been no action.

Aside from a few sound bites, Jan Brewer has failed to make any statement about the situation or the incredible security failures at Kingman. She has failed to appoint the unbiased independent review of prison security I called for on August 9th, and which the Republic now recommends.

For the sake of the safety of Arizona, we must ensure this critical mistake is not repeated. Here is a piece of the Republic’s editorial – please take a look.

Key questions about our prisons

The Arizona Republic

Aug. 27, 2010

Frightening. Tragic. Inexcusable.

These words describe the escape of three dangerous convicts from a private prison near Kingman. The deaths of an Oklahoma couple, the sorrow of their family and the anxiety of countless others were the result of astonishing security lapses.

Here's another word: opportunity.

This is a chance for Arizona to look at the state's role and responsibility in punishing criminals.

It won't be easy. Questions about the future of corrections in Arizona require - dare we say it? - a rational examination. Not political. Not ideological. Rational.

Under Director Charles Ryan, the Arizona Department of Corrections has identified a host of security problems at the private prison from which killers escaped.

A report posted online shows a dizzying array of botched management. False alarms were so common that real ones were ignored. Prisoners went around without identification. Guards were inexperienced and not proficient with their weapons. The perimeter of the prison was so poorly controlled that an accomplice could throw wire cutters over the fence.

Management and Training Corp., which runs the prison, agreed to make changes. Ryan removed murderers from that prison and imposed new criteria for the kind of offenders sent there.

In addition, an administrative review is under way to see why the state's monitors did not provide adequate oversight. This will provide important information.

But there are more questions, and the answers will not come from the Department of Corrections.

Click here to read the entire article.

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