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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.
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.
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.
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[...]
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.
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.
Democrats oppose locating recidivism center in south Phoenix
Democratic lawmakers from south Phoenix are siding with their voters in a fight against two proposed programs aimed at helping prisoners re-enter society, a long held constituency of theirs that doesn’t vote.
Corrections asks for more money to help prisoners re-enter society
The Arizona Department of Corrections wants 102 new positions and more than $13 million to fuel re-entry and recidivism reduction programs, but prisoner rights advocates aren’t convinced the request signals a turn in the department’s philosophy.
Clemency board at risk of lawsuit for unfulfilled obligation, seeks additional funding
The Arizona Board of Executive Clemency is requesting about $34,000 to fund a part-time position needed to conduct probable cause hearings – an obligation the board has not fulfilled since funding was cut in 2010.
Understand criminal justice system before any attempts to ‘reform’
Responsible improvements should recognize public safety as the primary purpose of the system, while offering a real opportunity for a second chance through investing and supporting a strategic approach in reducing crime and saving tax payer money, and it should start from the beginning of an inmate’s sentence until they re-enter society.
Burges withdraws early release bills after criticism from unlikely foe
Sen. Judy Burges, a Sun City West Republican, held two bills on February 16 designed to reduce recidivism that had the support of conservative and liberal justice reform groups.
Culling the herd: A majority of bills already have failed
Of the more than 1,000 bills, resolutions and memorials that have been introduced in the Arizona Legislature thus far in 2017, the majority are already being declared “dead."
