Walt Blackman Calls for Investigation into Prison Cooling System Failures

State Representative Walt Blackman (R-7) is calling for investigations into several instances of cooling system failures at Arizona prisons throughout August.

The Context

The lack of proper air conditioning in Arizona prisons has been an issue for some time, with the Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry saying it was still waiting for funds to install systems in July.

Many units still rely on evaporative "swamp coolers" instead of HVAC systems, a choice that is proving inefficient.

Such inadequate cooling systems affect guards and inmates alike.

What Blackman is Saying

"Arizona's prisons must remain safe, secure and operational through the summer," said State Rep. Blackman in a statement, adding, "Correctional officers should not be working in dangerous temperatures because critical equipment is failing, and taxpayers should not be repeatedly paying for emergency repairs without knowing whether there is a better long-term solution. Before we consider additional spending or legislative action, I want the facts."

State Rep. Blackman emphasized that "Our correctional officers perform one of the toughest public-safety jobs in state government, and they deserve facilities where they can safely do their jobs."

"Conservative government means taking care of the infrastructure taxpayers already own and making sound decisions before small problems become expensive emergencies," he continued. "If we are spending substantial sums every summer repairing the same aging equipment, we need to know that. If replacement would save money over the long term, we need those numbers too."

Past Prison Blues

Last August, State Representative Quang Nguyen (R-1) led a coalition of lawmakers in the Joint Ad Hoc Study Committee on Correctional Practices and Facility Safety to address a spike in prison violence.

Nine inmates had died throughout the year, including three at the hands of Ricky "Rooster" Wassenaar, an infamous career criminal who had been transferred out of the higher-security wing of the Arizona State Prison Complex to the lower-security wing, which allowed him access to his victims.