Inmate dies after being held in outdoor cell in Goodyear
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An inmate at a prison in Goodyear died early Wednesday after being held for nearly four hours in an uncovered outdoor holding cell in 100 plus degree temperatures.
On Tuesday, 48-year-old Marcia J. Powell was being transferred to a detention unit when she was placed in the uncovered outdoor holding cell at 11 a.m. at the Arizona State Prison Complex-Perryville, according to Arizona Department of Corrections spokesman Bill Lamoreaux.
Powell was reportedly discovered at about 2:40 p.m., collapsed inside the cell.
According to prison policy, Arizona Department of Corrections Director Charles Ryan says inmates can only be kept in outdoor cells for up to two hours.
The female inmate was taken to West Valley Hospital just after 3 p.m., where doctors told Ryan the inmate was comatose from heat stroke.
Powell was taken off life support and pronounced dead at 12:42 a.m. on Wednesday.
At the time, officials could not locate any family members.
Ryan says they've since found that Powell had two children whom she placed in foster care years ago.
He said Powell had been in and out of state prisons and had a long history of mental illness. Ryan would not say whether she was on medication.
Marcia Powell was serving a 27 month sentence for prostitution.
She would have been eligible for supervised release in July 2010.
Ryan said a criminal investigation is underway.
"It is our responsibility to ensure the care and custody of inmate population, " Ryan said. "The death of Marcia Powell is a tragedy and a failure. The purpose of the investigation is to determine whether there was negligence and to remedy our failures."
Ryan says the inmate was given water, but it's unknown how much.
Ryan said he's concerned and disappointed, "This inmate was in an area 20 yards from a control room ... there were other staff in this area, and we're trying to find out how did this happen."Three prison workers including a deputy warden, captain and lieutenant (working as shift commander) are on paid administrative leave while the incident is being investigated.
Ryan said it will be up to a prosecuting attorney, but all three could face criminal charges pending the outcome of the investigation.
Ryan added, "We express condolences to Ms. Powell's family and loved ones."
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