Justice Elena Kagan denied Arizona’s request to postpone a court-ordered takeover of healthcare in state prisons. The ruling leaves former Ohio corrections director Annette Chambers-Smith set to take charge of healthcare management for about 25,000 incarcerated people on Oct. 19.
Arizona sought a delay while appealing both the takeover order and Chambers-Smith’s appointment. Its attorneys argued that the judge had not tried less drastic ways to bring the state into compliance or allowed enough time for further progress.
U.S. District Judge Roslyn Silver ordered the takeover after years of litigation over prison healthcare. Following a 2021 trial, she found constitutional violations and required changes; she later concluded that the state remained far from meeting those requirements and that prisoners still faced serious risks from systemic deficiencies in care.
Corene Kendrick, an American Civil Liberties Union attorney representing prisoners in the case, welcomed the refusal to delay the takeover.
Please note! Comments are published by readers. The opinions expressed may not reflect the position of the editorial team. USCT is not responsible for the content of readers' opinions and asks authors to observe moral standards, not to incite national or racial hatred, and to avoid rudeness. Think before you speak. You are responsible for your words! By publishing an opinion, you agree to the rules! If this request is ignored, USCT reserves the right to deprive the user of the ability to leave comments.