Arizona Steps Forward to Compensate Wrongfully Convicted Individuals
In a significant move, Arizona is poised to provide restitution to those who have been wrongfully convicted and imprisoned. This development comes as both the state House and Senate have approved SB 1500, which was subsequently signed into law by Governor Katie Hobbs last week.
The legislation proposed by Rep. Khyl Powell offers financial compensation equal to double the state’s median income for every year an individual was wrongly imprisoned. However, Powell, a Representative from Gilbert, emphasized that the initiative extends beyond mere financial recompense.
Under the new law, affected individuals will also have access to mental health services and up to 120 credit hours at any college, vocational, or trade school. Powell highlighted the necessity of these provisions, noting that individuals released after long sentences might lack the skills required to reintegrate into society successfully.
Senator Kiana Sears also endorsed the comprehensive nature of the legislation. “This type of legislation not only rights the wrong we can never give back,” stated the Democrat from Mesa. She underscored that the measure adopts a “holistic” approach by addressing the multifaceted challenges, including psychological impacts, faced by exonerees.
However, this initiative does have financial implications. Legislative analysts reported that 24 individuals have been exonerated in Arizona since 1989, with an average imprisonment duration of 5.6 years. If only 20% of these individuals file claims, the state faces a one-time expenditure of $4.5 million.
Projected ongoing costs are estimated to be about $641,000 annually, based on historical trends and data.
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