Concerns Raised Over Alleged Contaminated Water in Hawaii-Incarcerated Arizona Prison
Hawaii inmates at the privately operated Saguaro Correctional Center in Arizona are reporting alarming allegations regarding their drinking water, claiming it is contaminated and unsafe. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Hawaii is urging independent testing due to numerous complaints from prisoners about deteriorating health linked to the water quality.
ACLU Legal Director Wookie Kim noted that at least six inmates have described the water as “toxic and foul,” with accounts of a “chlorinated sulfurous taste” and a “greasy, viscous” texture. Complaints extend beyond taste; some inmates are suffering from skin and eye irritations following their showers.
In a letter addressed to Hawaii’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and CoreCivic—who operates Saguaro—the ACLU emphasized potential violations of the federal Clean Water Act. The request includes hiring an independent expert to evaluate the water quality and providing bottled water and filters to inmates, who currently must purchase bottled water from the prison commissary at exorbitant prices.
Investigations further reveal that Saguaro staff have reportedly been advised against drinking tap water, raising questions about CoreCivic’s accountability in maintaining acceptable water standards. Furthermore, the ACLU warns that the prison’s water practices could violate constitutional rights against cruel and unusual punishment, as well as potentially amount to discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
As nearly 1,000 inmates are held at Saguaro due to overcrowding in Hawaii’s facilities, these disturbing revelations have prompted state officials to reassess the conditions of care and oversight provided to their incarcerated population. The Hawaii Department of Corrections stated they are in contact with CoreCivic but has yet to provide a detailed response to the ACLU’s concerns.
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