Four inmates at Perryville Prison in Goodyear were sent to the hospital Sunday morning following an incident involving "seizure-like" symptoms. The Goodyear Fire Department and other agencies responded to the scene at the San Carlos Unit of the prison complex, where multiple prisoners were reportedly seizing, as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix.
After being hospitalized, the four women involved in the seizure episode were medically cleared and returned to the prison. The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry noted, suspected as a result of ingesting something illegal, they believe illicit drug use was behind the symptoms. According to a statement from Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry media relations obtained by Arizona's Family, "This morning, 11/16, at ASPC-Perryville’s San Carlos Unit, 4 incarcerated women were transported offsite by local EMS for medical evaluation and treatment after exhibiting 'seizure-like' symptoms," as stated by FOX 10 Phoenix.
As a precautionary step, additional inmates in the unit were also evaluated and some underwent drug testing. It was found further that one additional incarcerated woman tested positive for illicit substances and received subsequent treatment. The San Carlos Unit is currently under an operational curtailment while the authorities investigate the situation. This step is being taken before it can be deemed safe to return to normal operations.
In the wake of the incident, officials have pointed out a wider issue affecting prisons nationwide. Illicit substances entering correctional facilities via mail and visitation are a concern, often leading to health emergencies among the incarcerated. Seized in an attempt to address the problem, the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry is now planning to digitize general inmate mail, the rollout of which is expected to happen in the next few weeks. "Unfortunately, much like prisons across the country, Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry continues to experience the negative consequences of drug-soaked paper being trafficked into prison units from outside sources via the U.S. mail and visitation," the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry media relations wrote in a statement, according to FOX 10 Phoenix.
