Arizona - FAMM

Arizona

FAMM is working in Arizona in 2023. FAMM has been actively supporting sentencing and prison reform in Arizona since 2019. Arizona has some of the harshest sentencing laws in the country, and its prison system has been mired in scandal and disorder for more than a decade. A federal court recently declared that Arizona’s prison healthcare is so deficient it violates the Constitution’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Arizona prisons desperately need oversight.

Our 2023 policy goals are to:

  • Support the new Independent Prison Oversight Commission established by Gov. Katie Hobbs, so that there is increased accountability and transparency in Arizona’s troubled prison system. Read the Governor’s executive order here.
  • Create meaningful compassionate release. Arizona has no medical or geriatric release system – the only way out of prison for the very sick or dying is through medical clemency, which is rarely granted.
  • Abolish the crack-powder cocaine sentencing disparity. Arizona is one of only 8 states that sentences people differently for crimes involving crack rather than powder cocaine, even though the drugs are chemically identical.

 

Ask Arizona lawmakers to create compassionate release

Please contact Molly Gill at mgill@famm.org for questions about our Arizona work.

2023 Priority Legislation

How You Can Advocate for Sentencing Reform in Arizona

You can do several things to work toward reforming Arizona’s sentencing laws.

Latest News:

FAMM applauds Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs’s appointment of members of the independent prison oversight commission

Saturday, April 29, 2023

For Media Inquiries:John Norton, 202-999-4268jnorton@famm.org  FAMM applauds Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs’s appointment of members to the independent prison oversight commission  PHOENIX – Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs recently announced the members of her Prison Oversight Commission, which will deliver recommendations about how the independent body should run later this year. Governor Hobbs established the commission through an … Read More

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FAMM releases statement following Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs plan to introduce independent prison oversight

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

For Media Inquiries: John Norton, 202-999-4268 jnorton@famm.org FAMM releases statement following Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs plan to introduce independent prison oversight PHOENIX – FAMM President Kevin Ring released the following statement after Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs introduced a plan for independent prison oversight in the state. “We applaud Governor Hobbs for taking this important step to … Read More

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FAMM to host virtual panel, “The Challenges to Passing Independent Prison Oversight in the States” on April 13

Thursday, April 7, 2022

For Media Inquiries: Tripp Laino, 202-999-4273 tlaino@famm.org   FAMM to host virtual panel, “The Challenges to Passing Independent Prison Oversight in the States” on April 13   WASHINGTON – FAMM is hosting a virtual panel, “The Challenges to Passing Independent Prison Oversight in the States” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13. Our nation’s state prisons … Read More

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