Skip to main content

"When the Gatekeeper Becomes the Supplier: A Stark Reminder of Systemic Failures in Our Prisons"


In a disheartening revelation that underscores the vulnerabilities within our correctional institutions, a counselor at Arizona's Lewis Prison, Berman Comon, was arrested on January 3, 2025. Comon, holding the position of Correctional Officer III (COIII), was charged with smuggling drugs and contraband cellphones into the Rast Unit of the prison .ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix (KNXV)

The role of a COIII is distinct from that of a standard correctional officer, primarily focusing on counseling and program advising for inmates. This position inherently provides greater access to inmates, a trust that Comon allegedly exploited for personal gain. Reports indicate he received $5,000 per trip to introduce drugs into the facility, cleverly concealing them inside large styrofoam cups and an ice machine to bypass security measures.ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix (KNXV)

The operation was not limited to Comon alone. Three inmates were reportedly involved in packaging the drugs within Comon's office and distributing them to other inmates. Further complicating the network, Joy Cuevas, the wife of one of the implicated inmates, is accused of acting as a "middleman supplier," facilitating the flow of narcotics into the prison. A search of Cuevas' residence uncovered 262 grams of heroin, prison-style cellphones, and drug packaging paraphernalia.

The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry (ADCRR) responded promptly, terminating Comon's employment on the day of his arrest. In a statement, the department emphasized its commitment to integrity and accountability, asserting that no individual is above the law, regardless of tenure or position.

A Broader Reflection on Systemic Issues

This incident is not an isolated case but rather a symptom of deeper systemic issues plaguing our correctional facilities. The infiltration of contraband, especially narcotics, into prisons highlights significant lapses in security protocols and oversight. Moreover, it raises concerns about the recruitment, training, and monitoring of prison staff.

The involvement of a counselor—a figure meant to guide and rehabilitate inmates—in such illicit activities is particularly troubling. It not only jeopardizes the safety and well-being of inmates and staff but also undermines the rehabilitative mission of the correctional system.

The Human Cost

Beyond the institutional implications, there is a profound human cost. Inmates, many of whom are striving for rehabilitation and reintegration into society, are exposed to harmful substances, derailing their progress and exacerbating addiction issues. Families of inmates suffer as their loved ones are subjected to environments rife with corruption and danger.

Moving Forward

Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach:

  1. Enhanced Screening and Monitoring: Implementing rigorous background checks and continuous monitoring of prison staff can deter potential misconduct.

  2. Robust Security Measures: Upgrading surveillance and inspection protocols can help detect and prevent the smuggling of contraband.

  3. Support Systems for Staff: Providing adequate support and addressing the pressures faced by correctional officers can reduce susceptibility to corruption.

  4. Transparent Accountability: Establishing clear channels for reporting and addressing misconduct ensures that violations are promptly and effectively dealt with.

The case of Berman Comon serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within our correctional system. It underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to safeguard the integrity of our institutions and the well-being of those within them.

For more details on this case, refer to the original report by ABC15: Lewis Prison corrections officer arrested, accused of selling drugs to inmates.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Beating You Weren’t Supposed to See: A Former AZDOC Officer Speaks Out

  Let me tell you something right now — that viral 3-minute video Fox 10 Phoenix aired last week? That wasn’t the whole story. That was just the tip of the blood-soaked iceberg. As a former Arizona Department of Corrections Officer, I know exactly what you're looking at in that video. You’re seeing the tail end of a brutal, calculated beatdown that started long before the cameras started rolling. That inmate? He’d already been dragged, pummeled, and bled out — by the time he was being chased down the entire length of the prison yard like a damn scene out of a gladiator movie. Fox 10’s report referred to it as a fight that “spilled out into the prison yard.” SPILLED OUT? Like someone knocked over a soda. No — this wasn’t some spontaneous scuffle. That man was hunted . Let’s Break Down the Bullsh*t Donna Hamm’s Comment: “The inmates are running the asylum, and that's not what the taxpayers in Arizona are paying for.” Newsflash: the inmates have always run the yard. Th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Fighting for Ryan: The Battle for His Life Inside Arizona’s Broken System

  I never thought I’d be writing this. Not like this. Not as the wife of the man I used to guard, used to protect. Not as someone on the outside screaming for help that should’ve been automatic on the inside. But here we are. I used to serve this system. Now I’m exposing it. I used to wear the uniform. Sixteen hours a day, six days a week, I walked those same yards. I protected inmates, respected them, loved them—because I knew most of them had never known compassion a day in their life. I saw their pain, their potential, their humanity. And now? Now I’m fighting like hell for the one who stole my heart behind those very walls. My husband is being failed. Deliberately. Repeatedly. Brutally. For days now— too many days —my husband has been locked down in complete isolation under what they call “observation.” No family contact. No personal belongings. No consistent monitoring. No treatment plan. What he’s getting instead? A blanket and a pill. They’re trying to medicate h...
Post a Comment
Read more

Fighting a Whole Prison System: One Wife's War for Justice

Let me tell you what it’s like to go to war—not with guns or bombs, but with phone calls, legal documents, and a heart that refuses to give up. I’m not just fighting for my husband—I’m fighting against an entire prison system built to wear people down until they give up. But I won’t. I haven’t. And I never will. My husband is incarcerated in Arizona Department of Corrections. And what started out as a mission to simply advocate for his safety has turned into a full-scale, nonstop battle with a system so corrupt, so broken, and so indifferent to human life that some days, I feel like I'm in the twilight zone. Where do I begin? Maybe with the time he was brutally attacked by another inmate and had to go into protective custody. Or when they transferred him from Red Rock to La Palma without notice, like a pawn on a chessboard. Or the multiple times his PC requests were denied, despite evidence of credible threats—and then used against him to accuse him of making false allegations. The...
Post a Comment
Read more