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.
Read More »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.
Read More »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.
Read More »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.
Read More »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.
Read More »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.
Read More »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.
Read More »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.
Read More »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.
Read More »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.
Read More »