Middle Ground Prison Reform

06/14/2026

The 2026 legislative session is over. The bill on home confinement did not pass into law. The bill to provide funding for start up costs of the Independent Corrections Oversight Office did not pass. If these bill are reintroduced next year, they will be assigned different bill numbers. Although both of these bills had good bi-partisan support, we believe that “election year politics” played a role in the failure of the home confinement bill. And as for funding oversight of ADCRR, we believe Thornell is adamantly opposed and the Governor continues to cave to his requests/pleas to keep pesky inspectors from entering his poorly managed and understaffed prisons (unannounced). Both bills were supported by Middle Ground.

06/02/2026

We take about 25 telephone calls/day, plus respond to 50-plus emails. Some calls are from completely irrational people who don’t want to hear truth, accurate information, or reality. We get that having a loved one arrested, jailed or imprisoned is stressful and can be a genuine nightmare. But we can’t invent a new criminal justice system system, improve the public defender system, prevent private lawyers from sometimes cheating clients. We can only obtain information from callers and respond with best available answers. Rude, disrespectful people in denial of reality can go elsewhere. We have plenty of people who appreciate our help.

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day today, with a special shoutout to all incarcerated mothers who work hard to do the hard work so as to reunite with their children, and to all Moms with an incarcerated child who provide the unwavering support needed for sons and daughters to believe in themselves and a future ahead. And recognition to those Moms who hold down the fort when Dad is incarcerated—you are incredible!

05/03/2026

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/donna-leone-hamm-8424133b0_eyman-prison-brawl-reignites-scrutiny-of-activity-7456522893238321152-gYOd?utm_medium=ios_app&rcm=ACoAAGRw2fIB1yg0bbuqX42Tqjcy4qO5w7lS-iQ&utm_source=social_share_send&utm_campaign=facebook

05/02/2026

Recent events at Rynnibg Unit are frightening for inmates and their loved ones. Every person in prison is convicted of some wrongdoing, but should not have to live in fear for their own personal safety. The ADCRR has failed miserably to address issues of gang violence, drug introduction by staff and inmates, staff shortages, constitutionally adequate healthcare and a myriad of other issues. The Director wishes the media would focus on his Reentry efforts, and we don’t oppose such work. But just like building a house, the foundation and framing are most important to the structure itself, rather than the decoration. He has no plan and, worse, no clue how to address and resolve these fundamental safety and security issues. The Receiver will greatly help with medical care, but will take some time to get up and running and have an impact. We will continue our ongoing efforts to educate the public and legislators about what is really taking place behind that concertina wire fence.

04/06/2026

02/27/2026

Can a knowledgeable family member or exoffender answer a question for us? When an inmate purchases an item at the La Palma prison commissary which is listed as “DB Regular-Red (Az)” what is that item? Is it chewing to***co? The item price is $3.95. Could someone let us know. Thank you.

02/20/2026

The district court today has ordered the Az. DOC healthcare system into receivership, which means the court appointed receiver will make all decisions for healthcare for inmates in all state operated prisons (private prisons not affected). The judge excoriated Ryan Thornell, falling just short of calling him and his department “liars.” More information coming, but this is a gargantuan step in a better direction for any inmate requiring healthcare. Middle Ground has fed information to the Plaintiffs lawyers on this case since 2012.

10/23/2025

Very honored to be named for second time as a 2025 Woman Achiever “Unsung Hero.” Thank you Arizona Capitol Times!