Ariz. permanently ends use of outdoor prison cells

Ariz. permanently ends use of outdoor prison cells

By JONATHAN J. COOPER, Associated Press Writer – 1 hr 12 mins ago

PHOENIX – Arizona is ending its use of outdoor prison cells permanently after an inmate died in triple-digit heat last month, the corrections department said Tuesday.

Corrections spokesman Barrett Marson said in an e-mail Tuesday that the decision came after consulting with Gov. Jan Brewer's office. He declined to explain the decision or elaborate on the discussions, saying Corrections Director Charles Ryan would discuss it Wednesday.

The department said last week it was temporarily halting use of the cells to add shade and water.

Marcia Powell, 48, died from heat-related complications hours after she collapsed May 19 in an uncovered outdoor cell. She had been in the cell for nearly four hours, despite a policy that set a two-hour limit.

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