Released Hostage Remains Hospitalized
By Ananda Garay, The Associated Press
BUCKEYE, Ariz. (AP) -- The nine-day hostage situation was taking its toll on staff at the prison here as negotiators continued Monday to work for the release of a correctional officer held by two inmates.
“They’re frustrated, tired and they want this to be over,” said Sgt. M. Ball, a member of the team that helps Department of Corrections staff deal with crisis stress.
As the hostage situation, which started Jan. 18, dragged on, it was becoming difficult to convince some prison staff to go home.
“This hits close to home. This is our worst nightmare. This is something we train for and hope we never have to deal with,” Ball said.
Meanwhile, negotiators continued talking to the two inmates who took two correctional officers hostage in a guard tower that is believed to be stocked with weapons. One correctional officer was released Saturday, but the other remained locked in the tower Monday.
The officer who was freed Saturday remained hospitalized on Monday, but officials declined to comment on his condition. He was able to climb down a ladder from the top of the three-story tower before walking a short distance.
Overnight negotiations have been quieter in recent days, said Department of Corrections spokeswoman Cam Hunter, who suggested the inmates may be growing tired.
“Last night was a lot like many nights recently. There’s not as much conversation. It’s quieter. That can be the fatigue factor,” she said.
Negotiations resumed Monday morning.
One of the inmates could be seen Monday walking around the observation deck of the tower and leaning over to look down its sides _ a routine he’s observed for the last several mornings.
Negotiators last spoke on Sunday with the correctional officer still being held hostage, and she indicated that she was OK.
She and the other officer were taken hostage in the guard tower at the Arizona State Prison Complex-Lewis after at least one inmate overcame two guards and a worker in the kitchen during breakfast preparation. The inmate then made his way with another inmate to the tower at the edge of a prison yard and got access to the tower.
Corrections officials have declined to identify the inmates and the guards or to say what the inmates are demanding.