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Hey, media, mind your language
In a society where headlines often spawn snap judgments, the choice of words can skew the narrative toward compassion or contempt. The term "convicted felon" is laden with negative connotations and fails to consider the complex journey of individuals beyond their interactions with the justice system.
Prison system will boost spending, medical staffing but puts more strain on state budget
Arizona’s prison system will boost spending and medical staffing for prison healthcare by more than a third as it works to meet a federal judge's orders that it vastly improve treatment of the nearly 25,000 prisoners in state-run prisons, but the move puts added pressure on a state budget that is already deep in the red.
Corrections seeks funds to phase out inmate fees
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.
Early release to home arrest for some inmates resurfacing
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.
Clemency board vacancy, staffing shortages raise concerns about due process
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.
Senate panel approves DOC nominee amidst death penalty debate
A Senate panel voted unanimously on Tuesday to recommend the approval of Ryan Thornell as director of the Department of Corrections Rehabilitation & Reentry and discussed the state’s actions related to the death penalty.
Phoenix becomes largest US city to successfully challenge 2020 census numbers
Phoenix has become the largest U.S. city to successfully challenge its population count from the 2020 census after claiming that dozens of group homes, jails and drug and alcohol treatment centers were overlooked during the nation's head count.
$150 million for housing, half a billion for education in budget proposal
A new budget proposal emerged today that delivers a child tax rebate, major spending on housing and education, and a reshuffling of money destined for water projects.
5 inmates at metro Phoenix jail treated for drug overdoses
Five inmates at a Maricopa County jail have been treated and released from hospitals after overdosing, according to authorities.
Prison panel to focus on 4 key areas
Gov. Katie Hobbs’ prison oversight commission will split into four working groups to develop proposals by the end of the year, advisers said at the newly created commission’s first meeting last week.
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.
Hobbs establishes prison oversight commission to recommend reforms
Gov. Katie Hobbs is calling for a top-to-bottom review of the Arizona prison system, where inmates and their families have complained about a wide range of issues and a federal judge recently found medical care to be “plainly grossly inadequate.” The governor issued an executive order on Wednesday establishing an “independent prison oversight commission” to review problems in the prison sy[...]
