Arizona

Contact:
Tripp Laino, 202-999-4273
tlaino@famm.org

FAMM praises introduction of independent prison oversight bill in Arizona

PHOENIX – FAMM Vice President of Policy Molly Gill issued the following statement following Rep. Walt Blackman’s introduction of a bill to create an independent ombudsman for the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry:

“Arizona taxpayers spend $1.3 billion each year on a prison system with countless problems: broken locks, undrinkable water, sub-standard medical care and now, an unchecked COVID-19 outbreak,” Gill said. “This prison administration ignores lawmakers who demand answers, and families trying to help their loved ones survive a prison term. Transparency and accountability aren’t too much to ask for from a system this expensive and dysfunctional, and that’s what an ombudsman would provide.

We’re grateful to Rep. Blackman and other lawmakers who are taking the concerns of taxpayers, families, corrections staff, and incarcerated people seriously and advancing this good government measure. A good prison system is a public safety issue that should win wide, bipartisan support.”

For nearly three decades, FAMM has united the voices of affected families, the formerly incarcerated, and a range of stakeholders and advocates to fight for a more fair and effective justice system. FAMM’s focus on ending a one-size-fits-all punishment structure has led to reforms to sentencing and prison policies at the state and federal level and is paving the way to programs that support rehabilitation for the 94% of all prisoners who will return to our neighborhoods one day.

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FAMM is a national nonpartisan advocacy organization that promotes fair and effective criminal justice policies that safeguard taxpayer dollars and keep our communities safe. Founded in 1991, FAMM is helping transform America’s criminal justice system by uniting the voices of impacted families and individuals and elevating the issues all across the country.