By C1 Staff
PHOENIX — A federal judge approved a settlement agreement between Arizona Department of Corrections and inmates in its 10 state-run prisons, which should improve medical care for prisoners.
The Court House News reports that the DOC has admitted no wrongdoing to any of the accusations, but the settlement will allow them to ask the Legislature for additional funding for health care staff and will have them institute new plans to treat chronic diseases.
The DOC will also give annual flu shots and provide colon cancer screenings and mammograms to inmates of a certain age.
Correctional officers are to refrain from using pepper spray on prisoners unless there is an “imminent threat” present.
U.S. District Judge David Duncan approved the settlement, and authorized Arizona to pay class attorneys $4.9 million in legal fees. He also required the settlement be placed in each prison library.