Arizona Senator Launches Investigation into Department of Corrections Following Triple Inmate Homicide at Tucson Prison
TUCSON, AZ — April 22, 2025 — In the wake of a deeply troubling and violent incident at a state-run prison in Tucson, Arizona State Senator Kevin Payne has initiated a formal investigation into the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR). The investigation comes after inmate Ricky Wassenaar, a convicted felon with a violent history, reportedly killed three fellow inmates in a single, shocking episode that has ignited widespread concern over safety and oversight within the state’s correctional system.
The incident occurred at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Tucson, one of the state’s largest correctional facilities. Officials have confirmed that Wassenaar, who has served decades behind bars and was previously involved in one of Arizona’s most infamous prison hostage situations in 2004, is now the prime suspect in the deaths of three inmates found fatally injured within a secure unit of the facility.
Emergency response teams and prison staff reportedly discovered the victims during routine rounds. Despite rapid medical attention, all three men were pronounced dead at the scene. The identities of the victims have not yet been publicly disclosed, pending notification of their families.
Senator Payne Demands Transparency and Accountability
Senator Kevin Payne, who chairs the Arizona Senate’s Committee on Military Affairs, Public Safety, and Border Security, has expressed alarm over the deadly incident and the conditions that allowed such a tragedy to unfold. In a public statement issued Tuesday, Payne said the killings signal potential systemic failures in inmate monitoring, facility security, and classification protocols.
“This incident is not only a horrific tragedy but a glaring indicator that something is deeply wrong in the way our prisons are being managed,” Payne said. “Our investigation will look at every detail — from staff conduct and training to inmate supervision and mental health resources — to determine how this could have been prevented and what changes are immediately necessary.”
Payne has called for the Arizona Department of Corrections to release all relevant security footage, staffing logs, and internal incident reports related to the killings. He is also requesting a comprehensive review of Wassenaar’s classification status, prior disciplinary history, and access to other inmates leading up to the attack.
Wassenaar’s Notorious History Resurfaces
Ricky Wassenaar is no stranger to notoriety. In 2004, he and another inmate held two prison employees hostage for 15 days during a violent standoff at the Arizona State Prison Complex-Lewis. That incident led to widespread changes in prison security protocols statewide. Many are now questioning how someone with such a history of calculated violence was able to commit additional killings under supposed high-security supervision.
“This raises fundamental questions about classification systems and inmate placement,” said Dr. Monica Grayson, a criminal justice expert and former corrections advisor. “When someone has already demonstrated extreme violent tendencies, the burden is on the system to ensure proper containment and monitoring. Clearly, something went wrong.”
Broader Concerns Over Arizona’s Correctional Facilities
The triple homicide is the latest in a string of troubling reports coming from Arizona’s prisons, which have long faced scrutiny over overcrowding, understaffing, and inmate abuse. Advocacy groups are renewing their calls for reform, arguing that the incident in Tucson is symptomatic of a broken system.
Prison rights organizations like the Arizona Justice Project and the ACLU of Arizona are pushing for independent oversight of ADCRR and greater transparency in reporting serious incidents. They are also emphasizing the urgent need for improved mental health treatment, staff training, and accountability protocols.
“This isn’t just about one inmate or one prison,” said Alicia Reyes, a spokesperson for the Arizona Justice Project. “This is about a systemic failure that endangers lives — inmates, staff, and ultimately, the public. If we don’t fix it now, it will happen again.”
What’s Next
As Senator Payne’s investigation moves forward, the Department of Corrections is expected to cooperate by providing documentation, testimony, and access to internal review processes. Payne is also expected to convene a public hearing at the State Capitol in the coming weeks, where corrections officials, staff, advocates, and victims’ families may testify.
In the meantime, prison administrators have placed the Tucson facility on heightened security alert. Additional safety measures have reportedly been implemented, and all inmate movement within certain units has been temporarily suspended pending further review.
No charges have yet been formally filed in connection with the three deaths, but officials say that a criminal investigation is underway and that charges against Wassenaar are likely imminent.
More details will be reported as they become available.