AZ SB1499

Establishes a correctional oversight committee with 11 members including 2 state senators, 2 state representatives, and 7 members appointed by the chief justice including formerly incarcerated individuals, a prisoner advocacy representative, criminal justice professor, corrections peace officer representative, and retired corrections official.

Committee has authority to investigate department operations, visit facilities with 24-hour notice, interview inmates and staff, review records, and inspect all prison complexes at least annually.

Committee shall receive testimony and data on inmate grievances, medical care, solitary confinement, mental health services, food services, HVAC systems, education, programming, inmate population trends, conditions of confinement, and inmate deaths.

Committee appoints a corrections ombudsman responsible for oversight of the department's internal affairs, disciplinary processes, and investigations related to custody and employee matters, with obstruction of ombudsman investigations classified as a class 1 misdemeanor.

Appropriates $250,000 from the general fund in fiscal year 2022-2023 to the Department of Corrections for committee expenses and requires an annual report by October 15 to the governor, legislature, and public.