PHOENIX — A judge presiding over a nearly 12-year-old lawsuit challenging the quality of health care in Arizona’s prisons is considering whether to launch a third contempt-of-court proceeding against the state for failing to improve prisoner care.
Silver had previously said she expected to launch the third contempt proceeding against the state on Friday for violations of a court order requiring numerous improvements. But she ultimately held off on a decision and wants input from lawyers on both sides first.Previous contempt fines totaling $2.5 million have failed to motivate authorities to improve care, the judge has concluded in the past.
Arizona settled the case in 2014 but for years was dogged by complaints that it failed to follow through on its promises. The courts slapped the state with contempt fines of $1.4 million in 2018 and $1.1 million in 2021. The settlement was eventually thrown out due to Arizona’s noncompliance, and a trial was ordered.