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Donna Hamm

inmate, Buckeye, state prison, homicide
Jan 26, 2023

Bill addresses release of terminally ill inmates

The Board of Executive Clemency would no longer have to seek out a governor’s signature to grant release to inmates with terminal illnesses and would generally expand the power of the board to grant medical release under a proposed bill.  

death row, inmate, capital punishment, lethal injection, clemency, Board of Executive Clemency, Antwan Davis, Beyond Borders, Department of Economic Security, commutation, ASU, Arizona Justice Project, Middle Ground Prison Reform, Donna Hamm, pardon, prison
Jan 5, 2023

Clemency advocates push for more attention, resources, additional board member

When it comes to recommendations from the Board of Executive Clemency, advocates for clemency say former Gov. Doug Ducey fell short in responding to requests for pardons and commutations. 

Jul 16, 2021

Blackman prisoner release bill fails – again

There were plenty of issues taken up during the 171-day legislative session that ended June 30 that everyone knew would be contentious, even in January.

Mar 12, 2021

Prison oversight bill laudable, poorly executed

Does the corrections department require more accountability to taxpayers, more transparency and more professionalism? Yes; no question. Therefore, HB2167 is a laudable idea whose goals are poorly executed in the bill. It should go back to the drawing board.

Mar 12, 2021

Report lists economic benefits of early prison release

A report detailing economic benefits of proposed expanded earned release credits gives a look into a possible new middle ground in the debate on revamping Arizona’s prison system.

Apr 30, 2020

State prisons have potential for nearly 100% infection rate

The Arizona Public Health Association is urging the state’s health director to do more to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the prisons as studies and public health officials predict a nearly 100% infection rate.

May 21, 2019

Broken locks whistleblower claims retaliation

When Arizona Correctional Sergeant Gabriela Contreras first downloaded videos of inmates leaving their cells due to broken locks, the whistleblower lost a weeks worth of pay and a potential promotion.

Apr 30, 2019

Prison guards and inmates unite in plea for better security

The union representing Arizona prison guards joined an inmate rights group Tuesday to demand that the state immediately fix security problems that they say led to an inmate's death and the severe beating of two guards.

Jan 18, 2019

Court: Tucson man wrongly jailed cannot collect for years behind bars

A Tucson man who spent 42 years in prison on 28 arson-related murder counts that were later vacated cannot now collect damages for the years he spent behind bars, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday.

Mar 29, 2018

They’re both right and wrong on prosecutors’ ‘Prisoners in Arizona’ report

Ultimately, we will never achieve meaningful sentencing reform in Arizona with both sides bashing the other and making “straw dog” arguments based on false mischaracterization of the other’s positions. Instead, we must take baby steps and then measure results as they inform public safety, in much the same way that the recently released APAAC report undertook its detailed and valuable account[...]

Mar 9, 2018

Ducey record on pardons, commutations not forgiving

Nearing the end of his first term, Ducey has granted only one pardon, to a man who stole a motorcycle in 1972. Other pardon recommendations sit dormant, leaving people awaiting a signature that could change their lives in fundamental ways.

Jan 26, 2018

Arizona woman alleges sexual misconduct by former detention officer

An ex-prisoner has come forward with allegations that a former Arizona Department of Corrections detention officer, Kenneth Couture, made inappropriate sexual advances while she was incarcerated and had sex with her while she was still under the agency’s supervision after her release from prison.