SB 1507:  Establishes an Independent Corrections Oversight Office with a Director who is appointed by the Governor and who must be confirmed by the Senate.  While this bill passed into law, it was not FUNDED.  Hence, until or unless private grant money or federal dollars are supplied to provide the projected $1.5 million dollars to start up and operate this office, it will have no immediate impact. (ADCRR is most likely exhaling a sigh of relief).  The bill was passed with strong support of both Republicans and Democrats, so it may have a chance during the 2026 legislative session of being funded with state tax dollars.

RUMORS ABOUND IN PRISON,  NO LAWS HAVE PASSED TO MAKE FLAT-TIME SENTENCES ANYTHING OTHER THAN FLAT-TIME.  NO LAWS HAVE ELIMINATED THE FELONY MURDER LAW IN ARIZONA.  NO LAWS HAVE PASSED WHICH AUTHORIZE CONSECUTIVE SENTENCES TO BE TREATED AS CONCURRENT.  NO LAWS HAVE PASSED WHICH REDUCE SENTENCES OF ANY TYPE FOR SEX OFFENDERS OR VIOLENT OFFENDERS.  NO LAWS HAVE PASSED GRANTING CONJUGAL VISITS TO PRISONERS WITH THEIR SPOUSES.   NO LAWS HAVE PASSED WHICH REDUCE SENTENCES FROM 85% TOS 65%.   NO LAWS HAVE PASSED WHICH ALLOW HOME CONFINEMENT/HOME ARREST FOR ANYONE WHOSE CRIME WAS COMMITTED AFTER JANUARY 1, 1994.   ALL OF THESE RUMORS HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATED TO US AND THEY ARE PURE RUMORS. 

DURING LAST YEARS' SESSION A LAW WAS PASSED AND SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR WHICH  REQUIRES A MANDATORY FLAT SENTENCE OF FROM 5 TO 15 YEARS FOR SOMEONE CONVICTED OF SELLING 200 GRAMS OR MORE OF FENTANYL.  THIS LAW WENT INTO EFFECT IN SEPTEMBER 2024.

DURING THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS IN 2024, A VOTER-APPROVED MEASURE PASSED INTO LAW REQUIRING ANYONE CONVICTED OF CHILD SEXUAL TRAFFICKING WILL BE SENTENCED TO NATURAL LIFE IN PRISON WITH NO POSSIBILITY OF RELEASE ON ANY BASIS -- EVER.

THESE HARSHER LAWS -- NOT MORE LENIENT OR LIBERAL ONES -- ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE GAINED TRACTION AT THE LEGISLATURE.

REMEMBER, CONGRESS MEMBERS ONLY VOTE ON FEDERAL PRISON ISSUES OR LAWS.  U.S. CONGRESS MEMBERS DO NOT HAVE ANY IMPACT ON STATE OF ARIZONA CRIMINAL LAWS OR SENTENCING.  WRITING TO CONGRESS MEMBERS OR THE U.S. PRESIDENT SHOULD ONLY BE UNDERTAKEN FOR THOSE SERVING FEDERAL PRISON TIME.  THE U.S. PRESIDENT CAN ONLY GRANT PARDONS OR COMMUTATION OF SENTENCE TO THOSE SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON.