Sign In
Free Newsletter
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.
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.
Court upholds Arizona prisons’ ban on explicit materials for inmates
A federal appeals court Friday upheld the Arizona prison system’s ban on sexually explicit material for inmates, rejecting claims by a censored prison magazine publisher that the policy violates the First Amendment.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Players in movement to remake Arizona’s criminal justice system
Since conservatives got on board with revamping Arizona’s sentencing laws, bills to do that no longer lay unheard, not considered. And as the movement has taken hold over the past few years, a host of groups and people have made their presence known at the Legislature. Following are some of them.
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.
Changes to criminal code must be intelligent, informed and incremental
Sentencing reform is complex and multi-layered. It must include all stakeholders in the process. Not everyone will get what they want. Not all wrongs will be righted.
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.
