Morey Unit Hostage Crisis the Hostage Crisis

Morey Unit Hostage Crisis

The hostage crisis that occurred at the Morey Unit of the Arizona State Prison Lewis Complex lasted for fifteen days and represented a hostage standoff that was the longest in U.S. history. The crisis began in the early morning hours of January 18, 2004 in the kitchen area of the unit, when two inmates, Ricky Wassenaar and Steven Coy, subdued a correctional officer and a kitchen staff employee. They subsequently took two hostages and inflicted serious emotional and physical damage to multiple correctional officers and civilian employees prior to engaging in the fifteen-day standoff. The lengthy episode challenged the resources of the Arizona Department of Corrections and magnified substantial security lapses and errors in judgment used by Department of Corrections officials. An ultimate analysis of the episode finds major flaws in the supervision of inmates at the Morey Unit, which the two inmates were able to take advantage of to place many lives in danger. The crisis eventually ended peacefully due to the brave work of correctional officers. Their rapid response led to the successful release of the two hostages and the safe capture of the responsible inmates.

The crisis began as an attempted escape from the Morey Unit by the two inmates. The poorly executed plan unraveled when other correctional employees arrived early for duty and thwarted the prisoners' escape. This led the inmates to take two hostages. They subsequently were able to access a guard tower and gained rifles and ammunition. The crisis that followed was marked by substantial negotiation between Department of Corrections officials and the two inmates. In exchange for bullets, pepper spray, the safety of the two hostages, and ultimately their release, Department of Corrections officials employed a DPS robot to deliver a handcuffs key, cheeseburgers, cigarettes, candy bars and other supplies to the inmates. The inmates made further demands to Department of Corrections officials in the form of a two-way radio, access to local television news reporters and dialogue with the governor. Negotiations between the two sides took place consistently over the course of fifteen days. They were marked by the delivery of supplies, the safe release of one of the two hostages, regular and daily briefings on the details of the standoff by Department of Corrections officials, and increasing demands from the two inmates. In the days leading up to the crisis's end, Department of Corrections officials fielded demands for dialogue with family, the resumption of power to the guard tower, clothing, pizza and beer. The crisis ended peacefully with the cooperation of the inmates and the safe release of the second hostage.

In retrospect and with very thorough analysis, the Arizona Department of Corrections determined that a variety of errors and oversights contributed to the hostage crisis, and that substantial security changes were required. Four major faults stood out among their findings: insufficient security measures, inexperienced correctional officers, insufficient staffing and training procedures, and rampant prison overcrowding. It is likely that the reason that contributed most to the dangerous episode was the insufficient security measures in place at the Morey Unit. During the early morning hours, security was significantly relaxed. In other words, the goal of security to provide control and safe custody of the prisoners was not achieved. When combined with the overcrowded facility -- more than 50 prisoners above original capacity -- the Department of Corrections has come to believe that the likelihood of dangerous situations like this one rises dramatically. Appropriate security means that every portion of the prison facility is properly safeguarded 24 hours per day. This hostage crisis was initiated over the course of one hour by two men armed only with a "shank," or sharp, home-crafted implement. In its findings, the Department of Corrections confirmed that this attempted escape could not have transpired if the kitchen area and prison tower were properly secure. Furthermore, every area within the prison should have specific post details that outline essential safety features and procedures. This should include the requirement for locking doors and gates, and how to transport prisoners through various parts of the facility. Effective security measures also include the proper awareness by all staff of these procedures, and what to do if they are violated. Emergency procedures were poorly executed in the Morey Unit hostage crisis, and many present staff members were unaware of their existence. If emergency plans were widely available and easy to follow, it is likely that this episode could not have occurred. Security measures can include frequent searches of inmates and isolation from other inmates of those prisoners representing potential risk factors.