The incredible barbaric nature of some of our prison systems was put on display recently when 48 year old prostitute Marcia Powell died of heat related causes after being left in an outdoor cell in Arizona for nearly four hours. The cell had no shade, and there were guards less than 30 feet away as she died. This situation is one that we should not ever see in America, and is shameful at the very least.
Powell was being held in the outdoor cell while she was awaiting transfer after being seen by a mental health professional. The cell is completely encased by a chain link fence, with no shade or protection from the desert sun. Powell should not have been allowed to stay in the enclosure for more than two hours, but that was apparently ignored. Prison officials said her being moved was delayed by a disturbance.
The prison has since discontinued the use of these outdoor fences, saying that this will not happen again. That has to be small comfort for the friends and family of Powell. How do you forget an inmate that is sitting right near a control tower with guards? Quite simply, the entire thing smacks of abuse and cruelty, and criminal charges should be filed in my opinion.
Though criminals deserve punishment, and should be kept in prison, this does not mean that they should be subjected to such conditions. Imagine sitting in the desert sun for even the “normal” two hour window that the prison mentioned. The heat in Arizona often exceeds 100 degrees. Can you imagine a person being locked in a cage with no shelter, in 100+ degree heat?
Powell died a most horrible death to be sure. She suffered greatly to die of heat exposure, and now her family will suffer for the rest of their lives. How is it that this is not on the front page of every newspaper? Maybe in time it will make it’s way there.
As of now, the prison officials are not sure if she was checked on every half hour like they were supposed to, nor how much water the woman may have been given if any. These questions need to be demanded, and criminal charges filed where appropriate. It is a sad day when we execute prisoners for prostitution via heat stroke.
Powell did not deserve to die in this manner, and her family should seriously consider looking into legal action. The horrific nature of such ignorance in our prison system is scary to think about. How can outdoor cells such as this in the middle of the desert sun be legal? Why did it take a death to bring this horrible idea to light? When things like this come out, everyone suddenly pays attention for a little while. Once the news fades away, things go right back to being messed up. Hopefully, this can be a catalyst to prison reform. We should not be in the business of torture, intended or not. Not when it is a 48 year old woman that was being transferred for psychiatric purposes. That is indefensible.
