Arizona State Prison Complex – Lewis, situated in Buckeye, Maricopa County, Arizona, is a notable correctional facility operated by the Arizona Department of Corrections. Located 43 miles west of Phoenix, this medium-security prison is one of 13 prison facilities overseen by the department.
The complex is distinguished by its housing units, each named after an ADC correctional officer who died in the line of duty. These include Sandra Bachman, Theodore Buckley, Robert Barchey, Dale Morey, Paul Rast, and Jim Stiner. With an inmate capacity of over 5,000 across 7 units, ASPC-Lewis addresses varying security needs, ranging from level 2 to maximum custody.
ASPC-Lewis is a modern prison, constructed with the help of both commercial and convict labor. The Arizona Department of Corrections employs a score classification system to assess inmates’ appropriate custody and security level placement, with scores ranging from 1 to 5, where 5 indicates the highest risk or need.
The prison has witnessed significant events in its history, notably the Morey Unit being the site of the longest standoff between inmates and law enforcement officers in U.S. history. This 15-day ordeal in early 2004 involved two inmates, Ricky Wassenaar and Steven Coy, taking two officers hostage and attempting to escape, which resulted in sexual assaults and a protracted hostage situation.
The complex comprises eight units: Bachman, Barchey, Buckley, Eagle Point, Morey, Rast, Stiner, and Sunrise, each offering various programs and catering to different custody levels.
Recently, a homicide investigation was initiated at ASPC-Lewis following the discovery of an unresponsive inmate, Jereme Cosby, aged 50, who later died. Incarcerated since 2005 for 1st-Degree Murder, Cosby’s death is being treated as a “suspected homicide,” with ongoing investigations led by the ADCRR and the county medical examiner’s office.
Provided offers a significant overview of the Arizona State Prison Complex – Lewis and its role in the state’s correctional system.
Address
26700 S. Highway 85
Buckeye, AZ85326
United States
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 70
Buckeye, AZ,85326
United States
To contact the Warden’s office, please call (623) 386-6160 ext. 54023 or email jmattos@azadc.gov.
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona_State_Prison_Complex_–_Lewis