The proposed bill would significantly update current statutes by establishing the Office of the Independent Corrections Ombudsman, which will oversee conditions in state-operated prisons. This new office will be responsible for monitoring compliance with health and safety regulations, providing technical assistance for inmate self-advocacy, and maintaining a uniform reporting system for complaints. Key provisions include the introduction of a comprehensive definition of "covered issues" related to inmate welfare, the requirement for annual reports summarizing inspections and recommendations, and the establishment of a safety and compliance classification system for facilities. The bill also emphasizes transparency by mandating public hearings and the publication of inspection reports. In addition to these new provisions marked as ..., the bill will remove outdated language as indicated by ..., streamlining the legal text to reflect contemporary practices. It will prohibit the Office from investigating underlying criminal convictions and limit its scope to complaints related to inmate health, safety, welfare, or rehabilitation. The bill also ensures that inmates have access to grievance forms and a secure hotline for reporting issues, while protecting individuals from retaliation for filing complaints. Overall, these updates aim to enhance oversight, accountability, and the treatment of inmates within Arizona's correctional facilities.

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