Private Prison Public Hearings this fall.

This popped up on Facebook from "Stop The Celling of Arizona." Go sign up for their updates, and turn out for the hearings. We need to stop this madness here and now.

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Public Hearings on Prison Privatization in Arizona

In the wake of the Kingman escapes and the private prison influence-buying scandal, many elected officials have called for legislative hearings, but none have been scheduled. Yet critical questions remain unanswered and state government has not acted to ensure the integrity of our prison system and the safety of our community.

In the interest of government accountability, integrity of our corrections system, and public safety, the American Friends Service Committee, the Private Corrections Working Group, and community partners are initiating a series of public hearings on prison privatization to be held around the state this fall.

The first will be held in Tucson on Wednesday, October 27th from 6:00-8:00pm at Pima Community College, Downtown Campus.

The hearing will be convened by a panel of elected officials and community leaders who will hear the testimony and pose questions. The conveners of the Tucson panel confirmed at present are:

Pima County Supervisor Richard Elias

Tucson City Council Member Steve Kozachik

Assistant City Manager Richard Miranda, former Chief of Police

State Representative Phil Lopes

The hearing will feature testimony from all the parties involved in or impacted by prison privatization:

· The Arizona Department of Corrections

· The for-profit prison management corporations

· Prison staff

· Prisoners, formerly incarcerated people and their families

· Local community members

· Experts on the financial and social impacts of prison privatization

The hearings will be video recorded and will be presented to the state legislature and the Governor, along with written materials produced through the hearings. Members of the public wishing to present testimony are asked to bring a printed copy of their remarks to enter into the record.