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Arizona State Prison Complex – Lewis

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Coordinates: 33°12′32″N 112°39′11″W / 33.209°N 112.653°W / 33.209; -112.653
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33°12′32″N 112°39′11″W / 33.209°N 112.653°W / 33.209; -112.653

Arizona State Prison Complex – Lewis
Map
LocationBuckeye, Arizona
Statusopen
Security classmixed
Capacity4,397
Opened1977
Managed byArizona Department of Corrections
WardenJason Monson
CityBuckeye
CountyMaricopa
State/provinceArizona
ZIP Code85326
CountryUnited States
Websitehttps://corrections.az.gov/lewis

Arizona State Prison Complex – Lewis, one of 13 prison facilities operated by the Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC) is in Buckeye, Maricopa County, Arizona, 43 miles west of the state capital of Phoenix.

Naming

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Each of ASPC-Lewis's housing units is named after an ADC correctional officer killed in the line of duty:

  • Sandra Bachman
  • Theodore Buckley
  • Robert Barchey
  • Dale Morey
  • Paul Rast
  • Jim Stiner

ASPC-Lewis is a modern, medium-security prison built by both commercial and convict labor. It has an inmate capacity of over 5,000 in 7 units, at level 2, 3, 4, and a MAX custody security level.[citation needed] The ADC uses a score classification system to assess inmates' appropriate custody and security level placement. The scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest risk or need.

ASPC Unit Custody Level
Stiner 3
Barchey 2 and 3 mixed
Morey Unit 4
Bachman 2, 2/3 mixed and 5
Buckley 4
Rast 4 and 5
Eagle Point / Sunrise 2

Standoff

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In early 2004, the Morey Unit of the Lewis complex was the site of the longest standoff between inmates and law enforcement officers in United States history. It was a 15-day ordeal, beginning January 18 and ending February 2.[1] Two officers were taken hostage, one male and one female, by two inmates, Ricky Wassenaar and Steven Coy. In addition, they sexually assaulted the female officer and a kitchen officer. The inmates were originally trying to escape, but their plan went awry, and the escape event turned into a hostage situation.[2] Wassenaar was later convicted of 19 charges relating to the siege and was given 16 life sentences.[3][4]In 2025, Wassenaar was accused of murdering three fellow inmates. [5]

Notable Inmates

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Inmates free hostage, ending prison standoff". CNN. February 2, 2004. Retrieved January 9, 2007.
  2. ^ "Timeline of Hostage Situation at ASPC-Lewis Complex". www.adc.state.az.us. Archived from the original on February 14, 2004. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  3. ^ Graziosi, Graig (April 5, 2025). "3 dead after 'altercation' in Arizona State Prison". The Independent.
  4. ^ "The Morey Unit Hostage Incident". National Institute of Corrections. Archived from the original on July 4, 2008. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
  5. ^ Valencia, Peter (April 4, 2025). "Officials identify 3 killed in fight at Tucson prison; high-profile inmate behind attack". KTVK. Associated Press. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  6. ^ Schwartz, David (July 11, 2016). "Co-founding Minuteman gets 19 years in Arizona prison for sex abuse". Reuters.
  7. ^ Hauser, Christine (July 12, 2016). "Minuteman Co-Founder Sentenced to 19½ Years for Molesting 5-Year-Old". The New York Times.
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