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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."
Clemency Board appointee has history of fighting parole
Gov. Doug Ducey has picked a crime victims’ advocate tied to an organization that fights against parole for convicted murderers to be on a board that vets prisoners for release.
FCC v. ADOC: Battle over price cap on prison phone calls’ link to recidivism
The federal government wants to regulate in-state prisoner phone calls as a way to keep families in touch with their incarcerated loved ones. The Arizona Department of Corrections is fighting the Federal Communications Commission’s proposed regulation for the sake of maintaining schooling and other services for prisoners.
Activist pushes for inmates to have the right to marry each other, same sex or not
The Arizona Department of Corrections is changing its marriage policy to conform to state law allowing same-sex partners to tie the knot. The only catch: The policy will still ban inmates of any sexual orientation from getting married to each other in prison.
Lawyer says suit alleging sexual harassment at private prison reflects badly on Corrections Dept.
A trial is set for next month in a sexual harassment lawsuit pitting the state against one of its private prison contractors in a battle that promises to shine a harsh light on private prisons and the Arizona Department of Corrections.
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.
A Year of Capitol Quotes: 2010’s wildest statements
The year in memorable quotes from Arizona's political players.
Capitol Quotes 2/5/10
"We had problems from the beginning because we decided that we would not turn in somebody who is openly serving in the military that was a homosexual - that we knew to be a homosexual. We tried to be tolerant. It didn't work." - Sen. Jack Harper, objecting to President Obama's plan to allow gays to openly serve in the U.S. military.
