Sign In
Free Newsletter
Arizona is ready for meaningful criminal justice reform
Policy leaders from across the country met in Arizona today to discuss whether Arizona needs to consider sentencing reform. Representatives of organizations with very different political view came together with a shared commitment to both safe and strong neighborhoods, and smaller numbers of people behind bars.
Defining Courage
In handling many of the state’s most politically-charged cases, Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk has drawn on lessons from the Nazis’ rise to power.
Bipartisan clamp down: Lawmakers passed several bills in 2012 increasing punishment for lawbreakers
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle acted to make life tougher for Arizona criminals during this year’s legislative session by passing a slate of criminal justice bills.
Tort measures having mixed success
Conservative Republicans who dominate the Legislature say the timing is right to overhaul Arizona’s civil justice system, arguing the changes are needed to improve the state’s business climate.
But so far, their success has been mixed.
Hearing set on suit over Arizona prison contracts
A court hearing is scheduled Friday on a request to block Arizona's planned award of contracts for 5,000 additional private prison beds authorized under a 2009 state law.
Jail population a crisis level in Coconino County
Managers of the Coconino County Jail say the inmate population has reached "crisis" levels for the third time in three years.
Most death penalty rationales fray under scrutiny
In recent weeks, we’ve seen a criminal executed and another execution is scheduled pending a last-minute review. Every time Arizona doles out the most severe punishment humans have the capacity to inflict on one another, I find myself asking: When criminals are killed for their crimes, what are we hoping will result, and what actually results?
Group gives Arizona a grade of C for efforts to curb child sex trafficking
Arizona should have a zero tolerance policy for men who engage in sexual intercourse with underage prostitutes, a former congresswoman said Tuesday. Linda Smith, founder of the advocacy group Shared Hope International, presented the state with a grade of C for its efforts to protect children from sex trafficking.
Clemency shift would bypass Arizona governor
State budget problems are prompting lawmakers to reconsider a lot of things, but the issue of crime and punishment has been too hot to touch, even if doing so would save money.
Key Arizona lawmaker opposed to relaxing sentences
Arizona legislators are squaring off on the possibility of making changes that could ease tough criminal sentencing laws, with one key lawmaker pouring cold water on the idea and another saying he's trying to build consensus for several changes.
