Officials: Hawaii inmate at Arizona prison attacked guard and fellow prisoner, opened other cells

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – An investigation is underway after alleged attacks targeting a prison guard and a Hawaii inmate at Saguaro Correctional Center in Arizona.

The mother of that inmate believes other prisoners are trying to kill her son.

“We’re not the only family who wants answers,” said Rhonda Kosi.

Rhonda is demanding to know how her baby brother, Daniel, who is an inmate at Saguaro Correctional Center in Arizona was stabbed multiple times while he was inside his private cell.

“We don’t know where he was stabbed, how he was stabbed. We were told that one of the stab wounds was to his eye, his eye, his retina, had to get sewed,” Rhonda said.

The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said both a correctional officer and a Hawaii inmate were assaulted at the Saguaro Correctional Center (SCC) in Eloy, Arizona on Saturday, July 27.

“Consider it attempted murder … why him?” said Kosi’s mother Wanda Ishimine. Kosi was sentenced in 1999 to eight life terms in prison, one without the possibility of parole, after he was convicted of murder.

His family says he, and all inmates, still have human rights.

“They’re not dogs. They’re not animals. They’re human beings. They’re somebody’s family. They’re someone’s loved one,” Rhonda. “We all bleed the same. We’re all human.”

“He’s not a dog. He’s a human being,” said Wanda.

Wanda and Rhonda said Kosi was in segregation at the time of the alleged attack, which means he was isolated from other inmates. “

This is segregation, supposedly high security section,” said Rhonda. “It takes time to overpower an ACO (Adult Correctional Officer), get the keys, find that right key to open a cell, and then another cell, then another cell, then to my brother’s cell … cameras everywhere … we want to know, how does this happen?”

Hawaii inmates are sent to Arizona to ease overcrowding.

In May, Anton Myklebust, 46, died after an apparent assault at the facility.

Kosi’s family fears it has gotten out of control and other inmates could be in danger.

“They make money to house everybody, and they should be doing their job,” Rhonda said.

Rhonda said no one from the facility called them to notify them about the alleged attack on her bother and said staff is refusing to let them speak with him.

She said all they want is answers and reassurance that their loved ones are safe.

“Daniel, if you hear, I love you and be strong,” said Wanda. “Give him strength, Jesus. Give him strength to protect himself.”

“I can’t stay quiet,” said Rhonda. “Somebody got to be held accountable.”

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