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Condemned prisoners use separation of powers argument in appeal
Three prisoners took their case to the Arizona Court of Appeals Friday, arguing that the statute governing lethal injection violates the separation of powers doctrine because the Legislature delegated its authority over executions to the executive branch. They also argue that they aren’t left with any legal recourse if the Department of Corrections changes its execution procedures.
Study: Arizona’s shrunken prison population is more violent
Arizona’s prison population is shrinking, but inmates are more violent, according to a study commissioned by the state’s prosecutors.
Judge: Arizona prison visitor fee constitutional
A one-time prison visitor fee that goes toward maintaining state-run lockups does not amount to a tax and is constitutional, a Maricopa County judge ruled in a lawsuit challenging the fee.
Death-row inmates sue state over execution procedures
Attorneys for a group of death-row inmates who went to trial this week in a federal lawsuit say the department didn’t interview or check the background and licensing of the doctor or a medical assistant, neither of whom were qualified under the department’s protocol or procedures for execution.
Virtual Realities: State’s new technology chief needs a system that can handle $1 trillion
In accepting an appointment in January of this year by Gov. Jan Brewer to lead the Government Information Technology Agency, Aaron Sandeen, the “chief geek for the state of Arizona” as described by his kids, knew he would be leading the agency through the biggest change in its 15-year history. In fact, he welcomed the challenge.
DOC extends bidding timeframe, works to complete neglected cost-study
The Arizona Department of Corrections (DOC) has extended for a month the bidding timeframe for private prisons that would house 5,000 inmates as a Maricopa County Superior Court judge ponders whether to shut down the process.
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.
Suit seeks to block more private prison beds
A lawsuit filed in an Arizona court cites security concerns as it seeks to prevent the state from issuing contracts for 5,000 additional private prison beds.
Quakers threaten lawsuit over private prisons
A Quaker organization and a West Valley advocacy group are making last-minute efforts to stop the state from building private prisons.
Cost-benefit study of prisons late, but state going ahead with 5,000 more private beds
The Department of Corrections has long been out of compliance with a law requiring the director to complete a cost-benefit analysis comparing private and state-run prisons every two years.
DOC Director Charles Ryan, who took over the job in January 2009, said he started working on his analysis a few months ago.
But House Minority Leader Chad Campbell insists that’s not [...]
Under Arpaio, Phoenix ‘Tent City’ marks 18 years
For all the worksite raids, immigration sweeps and animal-cruelty cases that have made Sheriff Joe Arpaio one of the most notorious and popular figures in Arizona history, it likely will be a compound of military-style tents housing more than 1,000 inmates that is his lasting legacy.
Inmate sues state over deposit fees
Aided by a group advocating for prisoners’ rights, an inmate today challenged in Maricopa County Superior Court a provision of a new law that allows the Department of Corrections to deduct a fee on deposits made to prisoners’ bank accounts.
