The Arizona State Prison-Douglas has been a vital part of the community since 1983.

It not only brought jobs to the community, but helped increase its workforce throng inmate labor and provide assistance for projects that would have never been completed without their help.

Work Programs

Corrections in Arizona have long supported community work programs. As early as 1913, inmate labor was utilized throughout the State, including in Cochise County.

Once the Douglas facility opened, a partnership between the prison and the surrounding communities was reaffirmed. Numerous inmate labor crews have been assigned throughout the entire county. This includes labor intergovernmental agreements for labor with various State, County, Municipal and non-profit agencies.

Some of the more notable projects are listed here as a small example of the tremendous positive impact these labor projects have:

•  Douglas Association for Retarded Citizens - Inmate labor is estimated to have saved the city $250,000 in labor costs. Ongoing maintenance is provided for additional cost savings.

•  Douglas Police Department - In 1991, the Douglas City Council approved the renovation of the vacant train depot, originally built in 1924. The Police Department utilized funds from the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO) and the Heritage Fund (due to the historic place registration of the depot). The architect who oversaw the project estimated a labor cost savings of more than $100,000 due to the use of inmate labor.

• Construction and Maintenance of Public Park Building and Facilities, School, Library and Public building renovation and maintenance. Construction of public library and community college furniture.

• Sidewalk and curbing for an ADA grant given to the City of Douglas.

•  Food Bank gleaning labor, community service work for churches, community centers and Boys and Girls Clubs.

The Douglas Prison maintains over 30 contracts for inmate labor with: Sierra Vista, Douglas, Bisbee, Tombstone, Elfrida, Huachuca City, Sunizona, Ask Creek School, Naco, Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), State Land Department and Cochise County. Inmate labor saved these entities $1,722,267 in labor cost compared to what they would have paid at minimum wage. In reality, much of this work could not have been done without inmate labor, and we are contributing to the image of inmates giving back to the community.

On June 26, 1996, ASPC-Douglas received the prestigious “Business of the Year” Award presented by the Douglas Chamber of Commerce. This is an unprecedented accomplishment that gave recognition to the outstanding contributions of the Prison to the community. ASPC-Douglas is proud to be a positive and active member of all the communities we serve.

List of Work Projects

√ Beautification of the City of Douglas’ Historic Downtown Shopping District:

• Gazebo and restrooms

• Sidewalks and trees

• Street improvement

• Sanitation program

√ Restoration of the Train Depot to the Douglas Police Department

• Provide on-going maintenance

√ Restoration of the Phelps Dodge Hospital to the Douglas Association for Retarded Citizens

• Provide on-going maintenance and service

√ Cochise County Fairgrounds Maintenance

• Preparation for county fairs, rodeos and horse racing

√ Arizona Department of Transportation

• Weed control

√ Southeastern Arizona Medical Center

• Provide maintenance and sanitation for the hospital

√ Douglas Golf and Social Club

• Provides maintenance of grounds

√ County Work Crews

• Clean rural cemeteries and other public areas

√ 8th Street Park

• Constructed bathrooms

• Painted murals

• Clean and maintain park

√ City Work Crews - provide maintenance and sanitation to several communities including:

• Douglas

• Elfrida

√ School Work Crews provide maintenance and sanitation to numerous schools throughout the County.

√ City of Douglas Library

• Cleaned the old J.C. Penney’s building

• Built solid wood bookcases

√ Construction of new buildings or structures

• New bathrooms and concession stands at Public Ball Park

• 249 handicap ramps throughout the City of Douglas

• Poured more than 10,000 cubic yards of cement for City of Douglas projects

• Renovated Double Adobe School

√ Maintenance and Sanitation Services

• Several hundred miles of county roads

• Douglas School District

• Elfrida High School and Elementary School

• Six park’s buildings and grounds in Douglas

• Double Adobe School