PHOENIX, ARIZONA — Senate Public Safety Committee Chairman Kevin Payne is intensifying his investigation into the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry (ADCRR) after a series of alarming incidents within the state’s prison system, including inmate deaths, suicides, overdoses, assaults on correctional officers, and the discovery of confiscated weapons. The escalation of these events has raised serious concerns about the safety of both inmates and correctional officers across the state.
Senate Public Safety Committee Chairman Kevin Payne originally launched the probe in April following the murders of three inmates at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Tucson. The incident allegedly involved Ricky Wassenaar, an inmate serving 16 life sentences, who reportedly killed the three individuals after an altercation. Wassenaar, a known violent offender, previously played a central role in a two-week hostage crisis at the Lewis Prison Complex in 2004.
The deaths of the three inmates at the Tucson facility were the latest in a troubling pattern of violence within the state prison system. According to ADCRR reports, there have been a total of 11 inmate deaths in 2025 alone, of which 5 have been classified as murders. This stark increase in violence has sparked outrage among lawmakers and advocacy groups, who are demanding accountability and immediate action from the state’s leadership.
In response to the deaths, Chairman Payne sent a letter to ADCRR Director Ryan Thornell requesting critical information, including a detailed timeline of events, internal reports, staffing levels, policy changes, and information about Wassenaar’s criminal history. The goal was to uncover any procedural flaws or gaps in security that may have contributed to these violent incidents.
“This troubling news comes on today’s deadline I provided Director Thornell to produce records pertaining to incidents, culture, and operations of ADCRR in my June 4 letter,” said Senate Public Safety Committee Chairman Kevin Payne. “The longer we wait before we can get to the bottom of the gaps in security at our state prisons, the more lives that may be lost. On top of the murder at Lewis, we also received word of an incident at another facility in Florence where several guards were assaulted. It’s only a matter of time before one of our correctional officers is killed.”
After receiving some of the requested information, Chairman Payne, along with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Quang Nguyen, sent a second letter to Director Thornell on Tuesday. The lawmakers requested additional public records to be submitted. The requested materials include reports on inmate deaths, Narcan administration logs, substance use disorder treatment records, restrictive housing reports, statistics on staff assaults, data on disciplinary actions taken against staff and inmates, and confiscated weapons data. This information will be used to assess the security and safety protocols currently in place at ADCRR facilities.
In his statement, Chairman Payne emphasized the critical need for accountability: “Our correctional facilities are clearly in crisis. If we don’t act now, more lives will be lost, and more innocent lives will be at risk. This investigation is not just about gathering information—it’s about saving lives and ensuring that our correctional officers, staff, and inmates are protected from the increasing violence we’re seeing across these facilities. We need full transparency from ADCRR, and we will hold them accountable.”
The investigation is also focusing on systemic issues within the ADCRR, such as overcrowding, understaffing, and the lack of sufficient resources to properly address inmate health and security. The facility at Tucson, for example, has been operating at 150% of its capacity, with overcrowding contributing to a strained workforce and limited oversight. Additionally, the Senate Committee is investigating whether the department has been effective in implementing substance abuse treatment programs, considering the growing number of overdoses that have been reported in various facilities.
“The lack of sufficient staff, combined with the alarming rise in drug overdoses and violent incidents, creates a perfect storm of danger for both officers and inmates,” said Senator Janae Shamp, a member of the Public Safety Committee. “It is not just about the immediate fatalities — it’s about the systemic failure to protect the lives of everyone in these facilities.”
Meanwhile, Arizona State Representative Walt Blackman, Chairman of the House Government Committee, has called for the establishment of independent oversight of the corrections system. Blackman voiced his support for SB1507, legislation sponsored by Senator Shawnna Bolick, which would create an office with the authority to investigate complaints, inspect facilities, and publish public reports.
“Arizona spends nearly $1.8 billion a year on its prison system—the second-largest item in our state budget,” Representative Blackman stated. “To make sure that money is spent wisely and that inmates are housed safely and responsibly, we need more than selective updates and closed-door briefings from ADCRR. We need independent oversight backed by facts.”
SB1507 is designed to create the oversight structure Arizona’s prison system needs. It will enable independent investigators to proactively identify problems, inspect facilities, and offer transparent public reports. Blackman emphasized that the current system of oversight, relying on limited whistleblower tips and scattered media reports, is insufficient.
“The bill provides the oversight structure we need to identify problems early, improve conditions, and avoid expensive failures,” Blackman added. “It doesn’t replace internal oversight; it adds what’s been missing. Director Thornell and ADCRR stand to gain from this, and so do Arizona taxpayers.”
SB1507 has already passed the House Government Committee unanimously, and Representative Blackman is urging his colleagues in the state House to pass the bill on the floor. The legislation is viewed as a crucial step toward ensuring that Arizona’s corrections system operates more efficiently, safely, and transparently for both staff and inmates.
“Our corrections officers are overworked and underpaid. Our prisons and jails are understaffed. Criminal activity, substance abuse, and other atrocities are occurring as a result,” said Senate Military Affairs & Border Security Committee Chairman David Gowan. “Republican lawmakers have provided several solutions to address these issues, but we’ve been met by resistance from the Governor.”
The Arizona Senate Republicans are calling for swift action from Governor Katie Hobbs to address the crisis and implement effective solutions to prevent further tragedies in the state’s prisons. Lawmakers are advocating for increased oversight of ADCRR facilities and are pushing for a comprehensive reform package aimed at enhancing staff safety, improving inmate rehabilitation programs, and improving facility conditions.