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CNN Saturday Morning News

Hostage Standoff at Arizona Prison Enters Day 14

Aired January 31, 2004 - 09:43   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Want to take you now to Arizona. The hostage standoff there at a prison enters its 14th day, but officials are encouraged by recent negotiations and the condition of the remaining hostage.
Our Miguel Marquez is joining us now live from Buckeye with the very latest. Miguel?

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Heidi. Those have been going on now for 14 days, and that's about the only thing that officials are saying here with the department of corrections in Arizona, that the negotiations are, in fact, continuing.

On the 13th night, now into the 14th day, there were some increased activities that they're not commenting on. Two large floodlights were put up to light up the tower where two inmates are holding a female corrections officer. Also, a little after 5:00 a.m. Pacific -- or Arizona time, a siren blasted for a short time. It's not entirely clear what that was about.

They are saying that this female corrections officer is hanging in there. They know that, they say, because they've done a health and welfare check on her, as they call it. And essentially what they mean by that is they've talked to her on the phone.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CAM HUNTER, SPOKESWOMAN, ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS: So there have been indications along the way that sometimes they're frustrated, and sometimes they're very encouraged. Overall, there has been an indication that we're at a steady pace, continuing to build rapport, and very hopeful for her release soon.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MARQUEZ: Now, they're saying that the process that is going on between negotiators and those inmates is a dynamic process, even though we sort of stand out here and only see the outside of this prison all day. They say that there is a lot of stuff going on in there that we are not seeing right now.

They point to the fact that one guard was released one week into this. We are now at two weeks into this thing. And essentially what we see almost on a daily basis, and we expect to see today, is at least one of the inmates coming up on top of this tower, walking about, stretching a little bit, maybe receiving some food and/or water.

But mostly, it's just a lot of waiting, Heidi.

COLLINS: Yes, and patience too. All right, Miguel Marquez, thanks so much, live from Arizona today.

MARQUEZ: Sure.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired January 31, 2004 - 09:43   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Want to take you now to Arizona. The hostage standoff there at a prison enters its 14th day, but officials are encouraged by recent negotiations and the condition of the remaining hostage.
Our Miguel Marquez is joining us now live from Buckeye with the very latest. Miguel?

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Heidi. Those have been going on now for 14 days, and that's about the only thing that officials are saying here with the department of corrections in Arizona, that the negotiations are, in fact, continuing.

On the 13th night, now into the 14th day, there were some increased activities that they're not commenting on. Two large floodlights were put up to light up the tower where two inmates are holding a female corrections officer. Also, a little after 5:00 a.m. Pacific -- or Arizona time, a siren blasted for a short time. It's not entirely clear what that was about.

They are saying that this female corrections officer is hanging in there. They know that, they say, because they've done a health and welfare check on her, as they call it. And essentially what they mean by that is they've talked to her on the phone.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CAM HUNTER, SPOKESWOMAN, ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS: So there have been indications along the way that sometimes they're frustrated, and sometimes they're very encouraged. Overall, there has been an indication that we're at a steady pace, continuing to build rapport, and very hopeful for her release soon.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MARQUEZ: Now, they're saying that the process that is going on between negotiators and those inmates is a dynamic process, even though we sort of stand out here and only see the outside of this prison all day. They say that there is a lot of stuff going on in there that we are not seeing right now.

They point to the fact that one guard was released one week into this. We are now at two weeks into this thing. And essentially what we see almost on a daily basis, and we expect to see today, is at least one of the inmates coming up on top of this tower, walking about, stretching a little bit, maybe receiving some food and/or water.

But mostly, it's just a lot of waiting, Heidi.

COLLINS: Yes, and patience too. All right, Miguel Marquez, thanks so much, live from Arizona today.

MARQUEZ: Sure.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com