Justice Kagan Considers Arizona's Request to Delay Prison Healthcare System Takeover
Justice Elena Kagan is currently considering a request from Arizona's prisons director, Ryan Thornell, to delay the appointment of a court-appointed receiver for the state's prison healthcare system. This request comes after U.S. District Court Judge Roslyn Silver, citing 14 years of litigation, millions in fines, and continued failures to meet legal standards, ordered a takeover of the healthcare system by October 19. Attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union and the Prison Law Office are urging Justice Kagan to reject Arizona's request, arguing that the state has had ample time to address the widespread medical and mental health neglect within its prisons, which they claim has led to unnecessary deaths. They contend that the appointment of a receiver is the least intrusive means to prevent further unconstitutional conduct and that the receiver, Annette Chambers-Smith, should begin her work without delay. The state's petition to the Supreme Court does not dispute that Arizona prisons are failing t...
