The proposed bill would significantly update current statutes by establishing the Office of the Independent Corrections Ombudsman, which will oversee the conditions of confinement and ensure compliance with regulations regarding inmate welfare. Key insertions include the Office's new responsibilities to provide information to inmates and their families, conduct inspections of correctional facilities, and create a statewide reporting system for complaints. The bill also introduces the Correctional Ombudsman Committee, which will oversee the selection of the Ombudsman and conduct public hearings, while ensuring confidentiality in communications with the Office and prohibiting it from providing legal assistance or investigating underlying criminal convictions.

Additionally, the bill proposes specific updates such as prohibiting the Office from assessing fees for complaints, requiring it to publicly decide on the merits of each complaint, and mandating the use of secure online complaint forms without electronic monitoring by the Department of Corrections. It also establishes a funding structure for the Office and introduces a timeline for its termination in 2035. The combination of these insertions and the deletion of obsolete terms aims to modernize the legal framework, enhance accountability, and improve the conditions and rights of inmates within Arizona's correctional system.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 41-3035.02, 41-2353, 41-2354, 41-2352, 41-2358, 41-2356, 41-2355, 41-2357, 12-821.01, 41-2359