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.
MCAO agrees to dismiss suit seeking to compel state to execute Gunches
The Maricopa County Attorney's Office agreed to dismiss the civil suit seeking to compel the state to be prepared to dole out the death penalty after the new director of the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry confirmed the state “is now and has been operationally ready to carry out a lawful execution.”
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.
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.
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[...]
Arizona hires new directors for corrections, public safety
Arizona has new directors for its Department of Corrections and Department of Public Safety.