AZ SB1345

Requires the Department of Corrections to conduct a biennial comparison of services between private contractors and state-operated facilities, evaluating security, inmate management, programs, safety, administration, food service, personnel, health services, discipline, and recidivism rates.

Mandates that proposals for private correctional contracts must demonstrate cost savings to the state based on a standard cost comparison model established by the director, and must offer services at least functionally equal to state-provided services.

Requires the director to conduct a cost comparison of all executed privatization contracts once every five years and provide results to the joint legislative budget committee for review.

Permits initial correctional service contracts for up to ten years with options to renew for two additional five-year periods, provided all statutory requirements regarding qualifications, insurance, financial statements, and performance standards are met.

Preserves state authority over critical functions including inmate release date calculations, sentence credit procedures, work assignments and wages, and all disciplinary and custody decisions, which cannot be delegated to private contractors.