Arizona is required to turn in its plan Monday for fixing severe deficiencies in the healthcare system at state-run prisons.
The shortcomings range from poor treatment of chronic diseases to limited access to doctors and psychiatrists. The Arizona Department of Corrections has had more than a year to remedy these issues according to its settlement with the American Civil Liberties Union, but the agency’s own monitoring reveals that it’s still not meeting many of the standards set by the court.
In some areas, it’s 20 or 30 percent in compliance. That prompted the ACLU to go back to court earlier this year and demand the state come up with a plan. That will be reviewed and the court will hold a hearing on the state’s proposal at the end of the month.
