PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona corrections officials cited staffing and resource demands of the pandemic in trying to fend off a contempt of court fine against the state for noncompliance with a settlement over health care for inmates.
The state has already been the subject of two contempt fines totaling $2.5 million for noncompliance.
U.S. District Judge Roslyn Silver has threatened the third round of fines.
Attorneys representing prisoners say the third fine could be as high as $17 million.
Silver has said coronavirus restrictions may provide a basis for noncompliance but emphasized that the virus can't be used as a complete shield against noncompliance.
