PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Corrections is under scrutiny following a disturbing series of events that culminated in four murders over eight days at state-run facilities.

Republican Senator Kevin Payne, chairman of the Senate Public Safety Committee, has initiated an investigation into the circumstances of these deaths. He characterized the situation as “inexcusable and incredibly troubling.” The inquiry aims to assess the safety and security protocols within the correctional system.

The timeline began on April 4, when inmate Ricky Wassenaar allegedly killed three fellow inmates at the Tucson prison. This incident followed the death of Daniel Montoya at Lewis Prison, reported on April 12. Wassenaar is no stranger to controversy; he infamously held two correctional officers hostage during riots at the same facility in 2004. Senator Payne expressed alarm over how someone with Wassenaar’s history could commit such violence unimpeded.

In response to these events, Payne has formally requested records and staffing information from the Department of Corrections, disputing their previous claims of adequate staffing at the Tucson facility. “Director Thornell has some explaining to do,” he asserted, emphasizing the need for urgent clarity to ensure the safety of both law enforcement and the public.

During a press conference with Governor Katie Hobbs, Director Ryan Thornell acknowledged the ongoing investigation and confirmed he would meet with Senate members soon. While he noted he did not perceive an uptick in violence across the state prisons, he faced skepticism from lawmakers and community leaders.

In the wake of these murders, the Department of Corrections has imposed stricter conditions at five state facilities, suspending visitations in an effort to mitigate further violence. Facilities affected include the Rynning unit at ASPC-Eyman and several units at ASPC-Lewis and ASPC-Tucson.

Concerns regarding the staffing levels persist. Carlos Garcia, executive director for the Arizona Correctional Peace Officers Association, highlighted ongoing staffing shortages that have plagued the system for years. He warned that these constraints create volatile conditions for both staff and inmates.

“This is putting a lot of stress and danger on the staff and the inmate population,” Garcia said, urging for thoughtful action to address the underlying issues leading to such incidents.