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Democrats oppose locating recidivism center in south Phoenix
Democratic lawmakers from south Phoenix are siding with their voters in a fight against two proposed programs aimed at helping prisoners re-enter society, a long held constituency of theirs that doesn’t vote.
Corrections asks for more money to help prisoners re-enter society
The Arizona Department of Corrections wants 102 new positions and more than $13 million to fuel re-entry and recidivism reduction programs, but prisoner rights advocates aren’t convinced the request signals a turn in the department’s philosophy.
Ducey mulls banning criminal background question on state job applications
The Ducey administration is considering a “ban the box” policy for state agencies that would delay the process of asking prospective employees for arrest or conviction information until later in the hiring process.
State retirement fund invests in private prisons that hold large contracts
The Arizona State Retirement System has invested in the country’s largest private prison operators, which also hold state contracts.
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.
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.
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.
