Magistrate: firing squad most humane way to execute prisoners
The former federal magistrate who Gov. Katie Hobbs hired to study the execution process said Wednesday he was dismissed because he was telling the governor something she didn't want to hear: There is no humane way to kill someone with lethal injection.
Executions to resume after 2-year pause
The decision from Attorney General Kris Mayes comes after Gov. Katie Hobbs on Nov. 26 dismissed the retired federal magistrate she had hired in her first days in office to review the process the state uses to put people to death.
State won’t carry out execution after warrant issued
Arizona won’t execute the state’s only inmate on death row even after the Arizona Supreme Court issued a death warrant in the case, Gov. Katie Hobbs said on Friday.
Retired judge picked to review Arizona’s execution process
A retired federal magistrate judge was appointed to review the execution process in Arizona as part of an examination ordered by Gov. Katie Hobbs of procurement of lethal injection drugs and other death penalty protocols due to the state's history of mismanaging executions.
DOC appeals contempt ruling against agency director
The Arizona Department of Corrections has asked an appeals court to throw out a contempt-of-court ruling against its director and a $1.4 million fine against the state for failing to adequately improve health care for the 33,000 inmates in state-run prisons.
Prison health care case shaping up for years of litigation
Arizona saw seven governors come and go in the time it took Arnold v. Sarn to resolve, and another case that addresses a forgotten population – prisoners and their health care – began.
DOC director blames private provider for health care failures
With potential sanctions for his agency’s failure to meet court-ordered prison health care standards looming, Arizona Department of Corrections Director Charles Ryan laid the blame largely at the feet of private contractor Corizon Correctional Healthcare.
Judge calls prison health care monitoring system ‘corrupt’
A federal judge believes the system of monitoring Arizona’s prison health care may be so “corrupt” that it can no longer be trusted.
Arizona officials threatened with contempt over prison care
A judge has warned that Arizona Corrections Director Charles Ryan and another prison official could be held in civil contempt of court and the state could face fines for repeatedly falling short in improving health care for inmates.
Judge to fine DOC for not meeting prisoner health care requirements
Adding to the potential costs to the state, private health contractor Corizon Correctional Healthcare stands to earn an additional $3.5 million in incentive payments for meeting its obligations under a contract amendment that kicks in Nov. 1.
Arizona prison warden questioned on retaliation
A warden for one of Arizona's prisons was questioned in court over whether an inmate being reassigned to another cell was retaliation for their bunkmate testifying in a lawsuit over the quality of health care for prisoners.
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.