Dear Editor,
I trust this letter finds you well. It’s with a heavy heart and a deep concern for justice that I write to share an incident that has cast a shadow over our correctional system. The recent tragedy at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, where Ruben Melendez, an inmate over 65 years old, was beaten to death, highlights a distressing underlying narrative that we cannot ignore.
Ruben Melendez’s journey to SOCF was a result of an interstate compact with Arizona. The Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC) identified Mr. Melendez as a validated member of the Mexican Mafia back in 1976 when he was first incarcerated.
Melendez had an INVOLUNTARY transfer to Ohio. He was given the classification as a security threat group (STG). What troubles me most is that while legally in Ohio, he remains a ward of ADC. It’s as if, by shifting him from one state to another, his life’s value has been minimized.
This practice of moving known “gang members” from state to state, ostensibly for security reasons, puts their lives at risk. History has shown that numerous STG members from Arizona when transferred, have encountered violence or threats from local gangs. I am certain this grim reality is not exclusive to Ohio. This punitive approach, while claiming penological interests, raises the question of whether the lives of these inmates are truly valued.
Ruben Melendez, an elderly man, found himself in a foreign land, away from his family and familiar surroundings, and he became the target of a tragic incident. If he were still in Arizona, would his life have met such a heart-wrenching end? Of course not! He’d been there since 1976. It is evident that there’s a lack of adequate concern for these individuals, who often are already facing difficult circumstances.
As we navigate the complexities of our correctional system, it’s crucial that we reflect on the purpose and ethics behind these transfers. Every life, irrespective of an individual’s past, deserves protection and justice. Let’s hope that this incident sparks a meaningful dialogue on the safety and humane treatment of inmates, irrespective of their affiliations, backgrounds, or past choices.
Response from SCDN
Once SCDN received this information, we took a deeper look. The Arizona Department of Corrections has now listed Melendez as “Released” and the release type is “Death”. However, this record was updated on 08-15-23 (yesterday). His photo has been removed from the system.
We have issued requests for information and documentation of the incident both in Ohio and Arizona.
SCDN is continuing to investigate these allegations and following the leads.