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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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.
‘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.

















