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Judge orders corrections director to testify following combative email
Arizona Department of Corrections Director Charles Ryan will testify in federal court tomorrow about an email he sent to his staff questioning a judge’s order.
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.
Judge orders DOC not to retaliate against prisoners who testified in health case
United States Magistrate Judge David Duncan on July 25 ordered the Arizona Department of Corrections not to retaliate against any prisoners who offered verbal or written testimony in a case concerning health care provided to thousands in state custody.
New corrections policy, no drugs bring Arizona executions to a halt
June marked the end of a three-year long legal battle to tighten up Arizona’s execution laws, but even after the state reached an agreement, the fate of those on death row is still uncertain.
DOC faces fine for non-compliance with legal settlement
The Arizona Department of Corrections faces more than $2 million in sanctions after providing documentation of widespread noncompliance with court-ordered health care standards.
Bank of America settles with ex-prisoners over debit card fees
Bank of America has settled with plaintiffs of a class-action lawsuit that accused the bank of using a “deceptive, fraudulent, and illegal scheme” to “exploit” ex-prisoners in Arizona.
Execution policy changes meet death-row inmates’ demands
Changes to the state execution policy published by the Arizona Department of Corrections appear to meet demands defense attorneys made in a lawsuit filed on behalf of seven death-row inmates.
Transgender Arizona inmates claim guard forced sex
Two transgender prison inmates sued the state of Arizona and a former corrections officer, alleging the guard forced them to engage in sexual acts and the state failed to prevent the assaults.
Arizona prisons illegally read inmate mail, 9th Circuit rules
In a unanimous decision Thursday, judges of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said corrections officials do have the right to "inspect'' outgoing mail, even to attorneys, to ensure that it does not contain contraband. That would include things like a map of the prison yard, timing of shift changes for guards or even actual forbidden items. Conversely, they said it is settled law that prison staffer[...]
$11M sought to fix, replace old, inoperable fire alarms in state buildings, prisons
More than $11 million in the governor’s budget proposal would address fire alarm systems in the state’s buildings and prisons that are getting old, outdated and in various stages of failure.
Senator tries to embarrass GOP colleagues into voting for immigration bill
The 16-14 vote against SB1279 came despite exhortations from Sen. Steve Smith, R-Maricopa, who said it only makes sense to ensure that people who already are breaking federal law don’t get a chance to continue to prey on Arizonans.
Ohio’s plan to renew executions breathes life into Arizona case
Ohio’s ability to acquire a controversial sedative used in lethal injections has come into play in a lawsuit seeking to strip away secrecy surrounding Arizona executions.
