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Eyman prison brawl reignites scrutiny of state prisons
Key Points:Â Gang-related fight at state prison leaves inmates hospitalized Officials call incident isolated, deny staffing and classification failures Legislative oversight stalls as concerns persist around prison safety and policies […]
Prison receivership: Who is up to the task?
Key Points: Judge must choose qualified candidate to serve as prison health care receiver Plaintiffs, department submit candidates with extensive corrections experience Prison advocates stress need for independence, authority, balance […]
Will excess clemency hamper Hobbs’ re-election bid?
Key Points:Â Hobbs stays consistent on granting majority clemency recommendations Consultant says clemency decisions unlikely to significantly impact reelection Commutations remain rare, but applications rise despite low success rates Gov. […]
A broken lifeline: Failing tablets stall Arizona prisoner care, emergency services
Key Points Tablets in state prison remain central for inmates despite lack of access Inmates report months-long delays for repairs and replacements Health care lawsuit claims emergency, medical access failure […]
Funding for Independent Correctional Oversight Office still uncertain
Key Points No funding for prison oversight office in governor’s budget Legislature starts push for $1.5 million to actualize oversight Budget director claims Governor’s Office open to discussion With an […]
Arizona must pay $2.65 million in attorneys fees from prison lawsuit
The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry owes $2.65 million in attorneys fees after settling a nearly nine-year federal civil rights lawsuit over censorship of a legal magazine sent to inmates.Â
Hobbs more inclined to issue clemency than predecessors
Gov. Katie Hobbs granted seven of the nine recommendations sent by the Board of Executive Clemency since taking office, marking an early departure from the record of her Republican predecessor.  Â
Corrections seeks funds to phase out inmate feesÂ
The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry requested funding in the next fiscal year to start phasing out the use of fees on deposits to inmate accounts and visitor background checks to supplement the department’s building renewal fund. Â
Early release to home arrest for some inmates resurfacingÂ
A bill allowing low-level offenders early release into a home arrest program could return to the Legislature next year after concerns over a lack of a fiscal note tripped up its passage last session. Â
Clemency board vacancy, staffing shortages raise concerns about due processÂ
A board member vacancy and staffing shortages at the Arizona Board of Executive Clemency have given way to concerns about adhering to due process timelines and adapting to any prospective legislative changes. Â
Inmate can press claim that phone limits hurt right to stay in his kids’ lives
An inmate who claimed that the federal prison system’s 300-minute-a-month limit on phone calls infringed on his ability to be involved in his children’s lives should get a chance to present his case, an appeals court ruled.
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. Â
