http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nat...arcia_powell_death_after_being_put_in_ou.html Disciplinary action taken after inmate Marcia Powell dies from being put inoutdoor cell in heat THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Wednesday, September 23rd 2009, 5:46 AM PHOENIX <http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Phoenix> ‹ Sixteen correctionsemployees have been fired, suspended or otherwise disciplined for theirroles in the death of an inmate left in an outdoor holding cell for fourhours in searing heat and for a "wait-them-out" practice at the prison whereshe died. Three of those disciplined were fired, two stepped down in place of beingfired, 10 received suspensions ranging from 40 to 80 hours, and one wasdemoted. Two others will be disciplined after they return from medicalleave. Arizona Department of Corrections Director Charles Ryan<http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Arizona+Department+of+Corrections+Director+Charles+Ryan> announced the moves Tuesday, calling the death the "mostsignificant example of abuse" of an inmate that he's aware of within thedepartment. Marcia Powell <http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Marcia+Powell> , who wasserving a 27-month sentence for prostitution, died from heat-relatedcomplications hours after she collapsed May 19 in an uncovered outdoor cellat the Perryville <http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Perryville> prison inthe west Phoenix <http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Phoenix+%28Arizona%29>suburb of Goodyear <http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/The+Goodyear+Tire+%26+Rubber+Company> .
She had been in the cell for nearly four hours, despite a policy that set atwo-hour limit. Powell, 48, was being held in the outdoor cell while being transferred fromone section of the prison to an observation ward after seeing apsychologist. An autopsy report showed she had first- and second-degreeburns on her face and body and a core body temperature of 108 degreesFahrenheit (42 Celsius).
"That is an absolute failure," Ryan said Tuesday. "The inmate should nothave been left in the enclosure that length of time." The autopsy also found that Powell's death was an accident and that she hadanti-psychotic drugs in her system. Such drugs are known to make people moresusceptible to heat-related illnesses. Ryan declined to provide the names of the corrections employees who weredisciplined, saying it would be inappropriate considering they have theright to appeal their punishments.
Those disciplined included a deputywarden, a prison psychologist, a chief of security and various officers. A call to the union that represents Arizona<http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Arizona> corrections workers was notimmediately returned Tuesday evening.
During the administrative investigation of Powell's death, Ryan saidinvestigators with the Office of the Inspector General uncovered a so-called"wait-them-out" practice at the Perryville prison that went on for about ayear. Inmates were placed in outdoor and indoor holdings cells for hours ata time as an alternative to using force, he said. While Powell was not in a holding cell under that practice, Ryan said, aninmate was left in an outdoor cell for 20 hours three days before Powell'sdeath; she did not require medical treatment. He said no one died under the"wait-them-out" practice.
The state prisons system ended its use of outdoor prison cells weeks afterPowell's death. Arizona's 10 prisons had 233 outdoor cells for temporarilyholding inmates awaiting transfer to punishment wards, medical units, otherprisons or work assignments. Ryan said the cells at Perryville are now used as exercise or short-termwaiting areas. They are now shaded, and have mist-sprayers and benches.
The criminal investigation into Powell's death is finished and at theMaricopa County <http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Maricopa+County>attorney's office, which will decide if any corrections employees will becharged. Donna Hamm <http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Donna+Hamm> , director ofTempe <http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Tempe> -based Middle Ground PrisonReform, said the employees' punishment helps show other prison workers thatthey will be held accountable for their actions. "There was an established policy, and had it been followed, Marcia Powellwould be alive today," Hamm <http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Hamm> said. She said County Attorney Andrew Thomas<http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Andrew+Thomas> should charge theemployees involved in Powell's death. "If that happens, the message is crystal clear to department employees abouttheir responsibilities and the consequences of not following their ownpolicy," Hamm said
She had been in the cell for nearly four hours, despite a policy that set atwo-hour limit. Powell, 48, was being held in the outdoor cell while being transferred fromone section of the prison to an observation ward after seeing apsychologist. An autopsy report showed she had first- and second-degreeburns on her face and body and a core body temperature of 108 degreesFahrenheit (42 Celsius).
"That is an absolute failure," Ryan said Tuesday. "The inmate should nothave been left in the enclosure that length of time." The autopsy also found that Powell's death was an accident and that she hadanti-psychotic drugs in her system. Such drugs are known to make people moresusceptible to heat-related illnesses. Ryan declined to provide the names of the corrections employees who weredisciplined, saying it would be inappropriate considering they have theright to appeal their punishments.
Those disciplined included a deputywarden, a prison psychologist, a chief of security and various officers. A call to the union that represents Arizona<http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Arizona> corrections workers was notimmediately returned Tuesday evening.
During the administrative investigation of Powell's death, Ryan saidinvestigators with the Office of the Inspector General uncovered a so-called"wait-them-out" practice at the Perryville prison that went on for about ayear. Inmates were placed in outdoor and indoor holdings cells for hours ata time as an alternative to using force, he said. While Powell was not in a holding cell under that practice, Ryan said, aninmate was left in an outdoor cell for 20 hours three days before Powell'sdeath; she did not require medical treatment. He said no one died under the"wait-them-out" practice.
The state prisons system ended its use of outdoor prison cells weeks afterPowell's death. Arizona's 10 prisons had 233 outdoor cells for temporarilyholding inmates awaiting transfer to punishment wards, medical units, otherprisons or work assignments. Ryan said the cells at Perryville are now used as exercise or short-termwaiting areas. They are now shaded, and have mist-sprayers and benches.
The criminal investigation into Powell's death is finished and at theMaricopa County <http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Maricopa+County>attorney's office, which will decide if any corrections employees will becharged. Donna Hamm <http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Donna+Hamm> , director ofTempe <http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Tempe> -based Middle Ground PrisonReform, said the employees' punishment helps show other prison workers thatthey will be held accountable for their actions. "There was an established policy, and had it been followed, Marcia Powellwould be alive today," Hamm <http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Hamm> said. She said County Attorney Andrew Thomas<http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Andrew+Thomas> should charge theemployees involved in Powell's death. "If that happens, the message is crystal clear to department employees abouttheir responsibilities and the consequences of not following their ownpolicy," Hamm said
