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Arizona Department of Corrections

Mar 6, 2026

Dangerous isolation: Attorneys claim lapse in care for prisoners with mental illness

Key Points:  Attorneys say seriously mentally ill inmates kept in isolation  Plaintiffs allege staff threats, violence discourage recreation time Motion seeks more out-of-cell time, training and staff accountability Inmates with […]

Feb 27, 2026

A broken lifeline: Failing tablets stall Arizona prisoner care, emergency services

Key Points  Tablets in state prison remain central for inmates despite lack of access Inmates report months-long delays for repairs and replacements Health care lawsuit claims emergency, medical access failure […]

Feb 20, 2026

Federal judge orders takeover of Arizona prison health care system

Key Points:  Federal judge orders prison health care receivership Court finds persistent unconstitutional medical failures Receiver to overhaul Arizona prison system After nearly a decade and a half of litigation, […]

Jan 16, 2026

Execution protocol under scrutiny after inmate’s autopsy report

Key Points: Autopsy of death row inmate shows IV insertion trouble but no fluid in lungs  Concerns linger given history of IV difficulties, possibility of pulmonary edema  Procedure and protocol […]

Dec 27, 2025

Arizona prisons to digitize inmate mail, citing concerns over contraband

Key Points: State prison system digitizes letters, greeting cards, drawings sent to inmates Department hopes to stop flow of illicit drugs, contraband, bring greater safety Families, former inmates warn loss […]

Oct 20, 2025

A new era for Arizona prisons – now our progress is at risk

I have the privilege of working alongside more than 10,000 dedicated staff and contracted partners as director of the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR). Together, we carry […]

Sep 12, 2025

State prison system still lacking in health care, receivership considered

Key Points:  Federal court mulls appointing receiver over prison health care  Plaintiffs claim continued harm, inadequate care necessitates takeover  Department of Corrections asks for more time to reach compliance  A […]

Aug 31, 2025

Arizona expands educational opportunities in state prisons amid scrutiny

Key Points:  Enrollment grows in Arizona prison education programs, completion dips Multi-agency collaborations target growth in postsecondary, vocational training One university shows promise in growing degree attainment  The Arizona Department […]

inmate, Buckeye, state prison, homicide
Aug 1, 2025

Arizona’s 290-Year sentence was a failure of justice

Gov. Katie Hobbs recently denied clemency to Carl Buske, a man serving a 290-year sentence in Arizona for possession of child sexual abuse material. I want to be clear from […]

Jun 21, 2025

Push for new prison oversight office stalls with governor

Key Points:  A bipartisan proposal to create an independent prison oversight office stalls  Despite broad legislative support, governor and corrections still have concerns Lawmakers continue to push proposal and attached […]

clemency board, parole, vacancy, staffing shortage
Sep 27, 2023

Clemency board vacancy, staffing shortages raise concerns about due process 

A board member vacancy and staffing shortages at the Arizona Board of Executive Clemency have given way to concerns about adhering to due process timelines and adapting to any prospective legislative changes.  

prison Department of Corrections, inmate, health care, class action suit
Sep 19, 2023

‘Tentative’ settlement in wrongful death lawsuit over man’s death in prison reached

Current and former Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry heads and prison health care provider Centurion reached a “tentative” settlement in a wrongful death suit involving claims of inadequate mental health care.  

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