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Controversial researcher hired to update prison population study
The latest update to the Prisoners in Arizona report, produced by the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council, or APAAC, is scheduled to be finished this fall, and it promises to be more controversial than ever thanks to the man hired to update it, John Lott.
Services, not prison, the answer to getting at root causes of addiction problem
After spending 25 years in law enforcement as a sheriff’s deputy, a sergeant, and a federal security adviser, reading the new American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) report on Arizona drug sentences brought some painful memories back.
Quaker group seeks drug-law reform, treatment to reduce prison populations
More than one-fifth of Arizona prisoners are serving time for drug offenses, according to a new report from a justice reform group.
Caroline Isaacs: She’s beating the drum for criminal justice reform
Caroline Isaacs knows how to harmonize. Whether it’s striking the right chord on criminal justice reform at the Capitol or belting out with her band, Sundust Road, in Tucson, Isaacs gets the job done.
Age of ‘tough-on-crime’ policies is fading in Arizona
The “tough-on-crime” trend is fading fast even in red state strongholds like Arizona. In its wake, a new movement has formed under a far more millennial catchphrase: smart on crime.
Burges withdraws early release bills after criticism from unlikely foe
Sen. Judy Burges, a Sun City West Republican, held two bills on February 16 designed to reduce recidivism that had the support of conservative and liberal justice reform groups.
Group takes to Capitol to protest spending on extra prison beds
Groups of stakeholders dedicated to reducing prison populations urged Gov. Doug Ducey and lawmakers Monday to cancel plans to spend $50 million on new prison beds.
Quaker group hopes to boost state budget by reducing mandatory sentences
A Quaker group is testing the waters for reducing Arizona’s mandatory minimum sentences as a way to save money.
American Friends Service Committee is incorrect on corrections
A sponsored analysis of Arizona’s sentencing policies by American Friends Service Committee (appearing in the March 14 edition Arizona Capitol Times in the “Courts and Corrections” Focus section) lacks relevant data about the state’s prison population and ignores smart, effective policies that are already in effect.
Prison reform group alleges severe health problems in Arizona system
A Quaker group that advocates for prison reform released a report today chronicling alleged healthcare horror stories in the Arizona Department of Corrections.
Inmate advocates question claim that Arizona prisons have no solitary confinement
Raising doubts from skeptics, Department of Corrections Director Charles Ryan told a legislative committee Wednesday the department has no solitary confinement, despite keeping the maximum-security inmates in their cells alone for 22 hours a day.
