By Jonathan Eberle |

Arizona Senate Public Safety Committee Chairman Kevin Payne (R-LD27) is intensifying his investigation into the state’s Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry (ADCRR), citing a string of violent incidents—including inmate murders, suicides, drug overdoses, and assaults on staff—as signs of a deepening crisis within the prison system.

Chairman Payne, who first launched a probe in April after the murder of three inmates at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Tucson, has now sent a second letter to ADCRR Director Ryan Thornell, requesting a broader set of records and data to evaluate the agency’s operational failures and safety protocols.

The investigation was originally prompted by a high-profile case involving Ricky Wassenaar, a convicted murderer serving 16 life sentences. Wassenaar, who previously orchestrated a two-week-long hostage crisis at the Lewis Prison Complex in 2004, is accused of killing three fellow inmates during what prison officials described as an “altercation.”

In response, Payne initially requested timelines, staffing rosters, incident reports, and documentation on policy changes related to the case. After reviewing the initial information provided by the department, Payne—joined by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Quang Nguyen—is now demanding additional public records be delivered by June 25.

“These details will be used in determining the next course of action to ensure the safety and security of both correctional employees and inmates,” Payne said. The senator did not mince words in describing the situation.

“I have grave concerns that a disaster is unfolding right before our eyes at Arizona’s correctional facilities,” Payne said in a statement. “I fear the lives of correctional officers and staff are in jeopardy each day they report for duty, and I’m concerned dangerous inmates within their custody are not secure. It appears we have a ticking time bomb on our hands.”

Payne added that the requested records will help determine why “current policies and procedures are failing both employees and inmates.” He pledged to keep the public informed as more information is gathered and reviewed.

The ADCRR has faced scrutiny in recent years over staffing shortages, aging infrastructure, and ongoing security issues. The outcome of this investigation could carry significant implications for prison policy and oversight in Arizona.

Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.