Arizona Incarcerated Women Stage Hunger Strike Demanding Improved Prison Conditions

Incarcerated women at Arizona's Perryville prison initiated an 18-day hunger strike in February, protesting an alleged assault on a fellow prisoner and persistent poor living conditions. The protest, reportedly involving over 200 women at its peak, was sparked by an incident where an officer allegedly assaulted a 20-year-old woman during a cell search. Shajiyah X Iman, a key organizer, communicated details of the strike and the "21 Polite Requests" drafted by the women, which outlined demands for increased wages, reforms to disciplinary procedures, and an end to humiliating strip searches.

The hunger strike highlights ongoing issues within Arizona's prison system, which has faced federal oversight due to inadequate medical and mental healthcare. Despite the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry denying that a hunger strike occurred, Iman and other incarcerated individuals, along with outside contacts, confirm the protest. Iman was placed on suicide watch and transferred to a mental health unit during the strike, limiting her communication with the outside world.

On day 17 of the strike, prison administrators met with Iman, agreeing to review some policies, including strip-search protocols, and indicating other revisions were already in progress. They also offered Iman a meeting with a member of the state's external oversight committee. The women involved emphasized their commitment to non-violent action to achieve systemic change within the facility.