The Breakdown, Episode 7: ‘Hamilton’ was bound to come up sometime
The Arizona Capitol Times team didn't know how to say no to a "Hamilton" tribute, and "licenses schmicenses" was a real topic of conversation.
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.
Court throws out sentence for prisoner who killed cellmate
The death sentence for an Arizona prisoner who killed his cellmate was thrown out Monday after the state Supreme Court concluded a judge had failed to tell jurors during the penalty phase of his trial that he was ineligible for parole.
Ducey announces steps to curb recidivism
Arizona is joining more than two dozen other states to give convicted felons a foot in the door for employment.
Ducey orders removal of question about criminal histories from state job applications
Gov. Doug Ducey issued an executive order today directing the Arizona Department of Administration to change its hiring procedures to handle criminal histories differently.
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.
Agencies make case for new spending, but most requests likely doomed
Gov. Doug Ducey is looking for good policies and savings. But requests for money from the general fund, the state’s all-purpose kitty, are tougher to justify than those that come from other sources, like grants and fees.
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.
Civil rights attorney: Using seized funds for prisoner study a legal gray area
Profits from seized property are paying for the latest update to a study of Arizona’s prison population that prosecutors use to argue Arizona’s sentencing laws are working appropriately.
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.
Judge in prison health care lawsuit scolds corrections director in court
Arizona Department of Corrections Director Charles Ryan was compared to former Maricopa Sheriff Joe Arpaio and admonished in federal court Tuesday for an email sent to his staff challenging a judge’s order.
Death-row suit settlement limits DOC director in executions
An agreement struck between death-row prisoners and the Arizona Department of Corrections in federal court vastly limits the discretion in executions once afforded to Director Charles Ryan.

















