PHOENIX, ARIZONA — In response to the murders of three inmates earlier this month, Senate Public Safety Committee Chair Kevin Payne has announced an official investigation into the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, & Reentry (ADCRR).
The incident occurred on April 4 at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Tucson, where inmate Ricky Wassenaar—serving 16 life sentences—allegedly killed fellow inmates Saul Alvarez, Thorne Harnage, and Donald Lashley following a violent altercation. Wassenaar has a well-documented history of violent behavior, including a notorious two-week hostage crisis at the Lewis Prison Complex in 2004.
In a letter sent Monday to ADCRR Director Ryan Thornell, Sen. Payne requested a detailed timeline of the events, relevant reports, staffing levels and rosters, as well as information on any recent policy changes. The requested materials must be submitted to the Senate by May 1 for review.
“What transpired within this prison is inexcusable and incredibly troubling,” Payne said. “I fear for the lives of the correctional officers and staff who are reporting to duty every day and risking their safety in a facility that has proven it cannot prevent dangerous criminals from inflicting violence.”
He emphasized the urgency of determining how the system failed, calling the incident a crisis that demands swift accountability. “Director Thornell has some explaining to do,” Payne added. “The more time that passes before we understand the missteps, the longer our law enforcement remains at risk.”
Payne expressed condolences to the victims’ families and pledged to update the public on the Director’s response and the committee’s next steps.
