By Jonathan Eberle |

Two Arizona lawmakers are criticizing recent safety reforms announced by the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry (ADCRR), arguing that the measures come too late to address a crisis that has already cost dozens of lives inside state prisons.

State Senator Shawnna Bolick and Representative Walt Blackman said last week that while steps such as deploying body cameras and forming a Violence Reduction Workgroup mark progress, they fall short of the urgent changes needed to prevent further loss of life.

According to ADCRR, 57 people have died in state prisons so far this year, including at least 11 homicides. Senator Bolick, who chairs the Senate Committee on Regulatory Affairs & Government Efficiency, said those numbers underscore the urgency of reform.

“The department’s announcement, which appears to have been driven by the threat of federal oversight, comes far too late for many,” Bolick said. “Body cameras are a positive development, but they should have been implemented long before legislative scrutiny forced the issue.”

Representative Blackman, chair of the House Committee on Government, pointed to what he described as inadequate support for the Independent Correctional Oversight Office created under SB 1507. He argued that the office cannot fulfill its role without proper funding from Governor Katie Hobbs’ administration.

“A press release is not a substitute for the resources and accountability this office needs to function,” Blackman said. “Transparency and oversight are essential if we want to prevent violent incidents like the recent inmate murders in Tucson.”

Both lawmakers also criticized what they view as a reactive approach by ADCRR Director Ryan Thornell. While acknowledging the department’s new training and workforce development programs, they said those initiatives should have been prioritized earlier.

“Director Thornell must demonstrate that safety within prison walls is a priority from day one, not a response to external pressure,” Bolick said.

Blackman added that measurable improvements are needed before lawmakers and the public can have confidence in the reforms. “Announcements alone won’t keep staff or inmates safe,” he said. “We need proof that violence is being reduced, reentry is safer, and the culture inside Arizona prisons is truly changing.”

The debate comes amid heightened scrutiny of Arizona’s correctional system, which has faced criticism in recent years over safety, staffing shortages, and inmate conditions.

Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.