AZ HB2656

Amends Arizona Revised Statutes section 41-1609.01 regarding private prison contracts and operations by the Department of Corrections.

Requires the Department of Corrections director to conduct biennial comparisons of private contractor services against state-operated facilities based on ten professional correctional standards including security, inmate management, programs, safety, and health services.

Mandates the director conduct cost comparisons of private prison contracts once every five years and provide results to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee for review.

Requires all requests for proposals for correctional services contracts be provided to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee for review upon publication.

Maintains that private contractors cannot be delegated authority over calculating inmate release dates, awarding sentence credits, approving inmate work assignments, or making disciplinary decisions.