The Arizona Department of Corrections has been battling for justice for its whistleblowers, Jimmy Jenkins and Arizo Najenkinskjzz. What is their story? How do whistleblowers protect themselves? Are these laws working? Is there protection for Jimmy Jenkins? Here are some things you should know about the Arizona Department of Corrections. This article will cover the Arizona Department of Corrections and other whistleblowers’ cases.
Jimmy Jenkins:
KJZZ reporter Jimmy Jenkins discusses the recent release of an exclusive story that exposes a system in which state inmates are kept in prisons for years past their release dates. While the situation is unfortunate, it also highlights some systemic public health issues. This story tells the story of two Arizona state prisons where COVID-19 infection rates are rising. Jimmy Jenkins will explain why prisons must do more to prevent such illnesses and how these workers are helping them stay in prison.
Arizona Department of Corrections:
While Arizona’s legislature has passed a bill to create an oversight committee for the Department of Corrections, the agency still fails to implement the new legislative changes that will give prisoners the right to appeal their convictions. The Arizona Department of Corrections holds thousands of people behind bars who should be out on bond. And, a glitch in the computer system is keeping people behind bars longer than necessary. So, who is protecting Arizona’s citizens?
Whistleblowers at the Arizona Department of Corrections say state officials have known about the problems for a year. This means that the state agency has been aware of the problems since at least 2019. The new rules for earning early release were not integrated into the department’s tracking software, which results in inmates being incarcerated for far longer than necessary. The new program doesn’t even account for this change.
Other whistleblowers:
Jimmy Jenkins is a senior field reporter at Arizona radio station KJZZ. He has contributed to NPR’s election coverage and criminal justice station collaborations. His work has been featured on Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Marketplace, and Here and Now, among other programs. Jenkins’ reporting has garnered national attention and earned him a Sledgehammer Award from the Arizona Press Club. He has done a great deal to bring light to conditions inside Arizona prisons.
Protections for whistleblowers:
Whistleblowers play a vital role in keeping our government honest, efficient, and accountable. Federal law offers strong protections for those who make protected disclosures. While whistleblower protections and remedies vary based on the type of employer, the information provided here should help employees of any company to decide whether to make a protected disclosure. The following frequently asked questions are addressed for federal employees, contractors, subcontractors, and grantees.
Under the Whistleblower Protection Act, employees are protected from retaliation in many situations. The Act also increases penalties for violating whistleblower protections, creates the position of a Whistleblower Protection Ombudsman, and expands whistleblower protections to federal contractors and grantees. The Act also provides protections to those who believe they are a victim of censorship and want to speak up about their experiences.