The Arizona Department of Corrections has asked an appeals court to throw out a contempt of court ruling against its director and a $1.4 million fine against the state for failing to adequately improve health care for inmates.
The appeal was made on behalf of Corrections Director Charles Ryan and his agency.
The Arizona Capitol Timers reports the original lawsuit alleged Arizona’s prisons didn’t meet basic requirements for providing adequate medical and mental health care, saying some prisoners complained their cancer went undetected or they were told to pray to be cured.
Sponsor Message
Lawyers from the Department say the judge didn’t have the power to make a civil contempt ruling and it was aimed at punishing Ryan and the department.