ARIZONA NEWS

Arizona Department of Corrections Charles Ryan announces retirement

Aug 9, 2019, 3:06 PM | Updated: 9:14 pm

Former Arizona Dept. of Corrections Director Charles Ryan (AP File Photo/Matt York)...

Former Arizona Dept. of Corrections Director Charles Ryan (AP File Photo/Matt York)

(AP File Photo/Matt York)

PHOENIX – Arizona Department of Corrections Director Charles Ryan, who’s been under fire for his handling of state prison system issues, announced his retirement Friday.

Ryan made it known that Sept. 13 would be his last day after more than 10 years on the job in a letter to Gov. Doug Ducey and a separate email to DOC staff.

“Director Ryan has committed his life to serving in the corrections field for more than 40 years,” Ducey said in a statement.

“His dedication to ensuring public safety and providing inmates a real second chance, has made him a nationally recognized leader. … I’m grateful to Director Ryan for his dedication and service.”

Neither Ducey nor any of his aides asked Ryan to step down, said Patrick Ptak, the governor’s spokesman.

Ryan expressed gratitude to his staff in both notes.

Before becoming director, he’d worked in the department as deputy director of prison operations, a warden and an administrator.

“Though there is more to be done, now is the time for me to pursue new opportunities and rededicate myself to my family which has served and sacrificed in support of me throughout my public service career,” Ryan wrote.

There have been calls for Ryan to step down in recent months after reports of how he addressed the issue broken locks on cells at the Lewis Prison in Buckeye.

There were several assaults of inmates and correctional officers because of the lock failures.

In response, Ryan reportedly ordered some cells to be padlocked, despite it being a violation of fire codes.

ABC15 reported in April that Ryan had been aware of the broken locks since May 2018 but chose to spend millions meant to repair them and security on other projects.

Additionally, Ryan’s department been cited for failing to improve health care for inmates as was promised in a 2014 lawsuit.

In June, a judge found Ryan to be in civil contempt of court and fined the state $1.4 million for failing to adequately improve health care for inmates.

Several prisons have faced water support shortages, including one in Douglas that went without running water for days after a well ran dry.

The American Friends Service Committee-Arizona — a Quaker organization that played a key role in the movement to fire Ryan — called on Ducey to ensure the next director “will lead the department with integrity” and take it “in a bold new direction.”

“This moment provides a crucial opportunity to correct the serious, systemic issues in ADC and heal the wounds in our community,” the group said in a statement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Array

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

The city of Peoria started piping reclaimed water into Paloma Park in a cost-cutting effort that sa...

David Veenstra

Peoria saves money by piping reclaimed water into Paloma Park

The city of Peoria started piping reclaimed water into Paloma Park in a cost-cutting effort that saves the city more than $150,000 each year.

5 minutes ago

Democratic vice presidential nominee, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks during a campaign rally at Tuc...

David Veenstra

Tim Walz keeps focus on economy, women’s rights at rallies in Flagstaff, Tucson

Tim Walz, the Democratic nominee for vice president, appeared at two rallies in Arizona on Saturday, three days before Election Day on Nov. 5.

1 hour ago

Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, speaks during a vice presidential debat...

David Veenstra

JD Vance attacks Kamala Harris for border, economic inaction at rally in Scottsdale

JD Vance, the Republican nominee for vice president, appeared at a rally in Arizona on Saturday afternoon, three days before Election Day.

4 hours ago

Town of Gilbert water tower lit up at night...

Payne Moses

Study found no Arizona cities ranked among top 25 safest in America

No major Arizona city cracked the top 25 in a recent study on the safest places to live in the United States.

8 hours ago

A rendering of the future Sky Harbor Logistics building....

Roxanne De La Rosa

Real estate giant to demolish Tempe office, double land use with industrial campus

Private real estate developer Lincoln Property Co. acquired a more than 16-acre Tempe industrial property that sits minutes away from the Sky Harbor International Airport, according to a press release.

10 hours ago

Microtransit service in Phoenix gets $12.9M grant...

Serena O'Sullivan

Phoenix gets $12.9M federal grant to launch on-demand microtransit service

A microtransit service in Phoenix designed to cut down on congestion within specific city zones is set to launch thanks to an influx of federal funds.

12 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Why a Heating Tune-Up is Essential Before Winter

PHOENIX, AZ — With cooler weather on the horizon, making sure your heating system is prepped and ready can make all the difference in staying comfortable this winter.

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Collins Comfort Masters: Leading the Way in HVAC and Plumbing Services in Arizona

Tempe, AZ – Since its inception in 1985, Collins Comfort Masters has been a cornerstone in the HVAC and plumbing industry in Phoenix and the surrounding Valley.

...

Sanderson Ford

3 storylines to get you revved up for the 2024 Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals training camp is just a couple weeks away starting on July 25, and Sanderson Ford is revved up and ready to go.

Arizona Department of Corrections Charles Ryan announces retirement