AZ HB2844

Requires the Arizona Department of Corrections to conduct biennial comparisons of services provided by private prison contractors versus state-operated facilities, evaluating security, inmate programs, health services, food service, personnel practices, and other operational factors.

Mandates a cost comparison of executed private prison contracts once every five years for each contract.

Requires the director to provide the most recent service and cost comparisons to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee for review.

Service comparisons must determine whether contractors provide equal quality services at lower cost or superior services at essentially the same cost as state-operated facilities.

Amends A.R.S. § 41-1609.01 governing adult incarceration contracts with private correctional facilities.