Tucson: Arizona Prison Oversight Law Signed by Hobbs Lacks Funding, Advocates Say

An Arizona Senate bill designed to create independent oversight of the state's prison system has been signed into law, but the office it created has not received any funding to begin operations, according to advocates and public records.

Governor Katie Hobbs signed SB 1507 last year, establishing an office to monitor prison conditions, ensure compliance with standards, and investigate inmate complaints. The bill passed again this year with near-unanimous support from both chambers, with lawmakers emphasizing the need to attach real money to the mandate.

"This is the second year in a row that the legislators rather have made it clear that this is a priority," said Estrella Lopez, Senior State Policy Manager at Justice Action Network. "The bill passed last year, creating the oversight office. Unfortunately, it didn't get into the budget."

The push for oversight comes amid documented failures at Arizona's prison system. Public records obtained by 13 News show that on April 4, 2025, inmate Ricky Wassenaar killed three fellow inmates at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Tucson. One victim suffered head trauma and a ligature around the neck. Two others were killed with blunt force trauma after being struck with a bag containing a large rock.

The records revealed that Wassenaar's first victim, his cellmate, was not discovered for several hours after being killed. The report noted that "based on the condition of the body and the presence of rigor mortis, it appears he was killed several hours earlier."

"That's really upsetting to hear that someone was killed and unnoticed for that period of time," Lopez said. "I think that that speaks to a few things."

Lopez pointed to chronic staffing shortages at the Arizona Department of Corrections as a root cause of deteriorating conditions. She said the department operates with a $1.6 billion budget, yet advocates have been unable to secure even $1.5 million for the oversight office.

"To not have a $1.5 million for oversight is just, it's a bad allocation of resources. It's not good stewardship of money," Lopez said.

The Arizona Department of Corrections has also faced other systemic challenges. The prison health care system is currently heading into federal receivership, a move that advocates say will cost the state significant additional funds.

"The state keeps paying for lawsuits. Any single lawsuit can far exceed what this office would cost," Lopez said. "The prison's health care system is going into federal receivership. That is going to cost a lot of money."

Advocates are pressing the legislature and governor's office to include funding for the oversight office in the next state budget. The state budget deadline is July 1, and negotiations between Governor Hobbs and Republican lawmakers have been ongoing.

"The state is saying, you know, we can't afford this," Lopez said. "I would argue the state can't afford not to do this. This is just a smart investment that will save Arizona money in the long term. And it's morally the right thing to do."

SB 1507 created the legal framework for oversight but left funding to the budget process. With no appropriation yet made, the office remains inactive.