adult incarceration contracts; services; costs

HB 2844 establishes rules for Arizona's contracts with private companies operating adult correctional facilities, requiring them to provide services at equal or better quality and lower cost than state-run facilities. The bill mandates biennial reviews comparing contractor performance to state operations across 10 areas (like security, inmate programs, and facility safety) and requires cost comparisons every five years to ensure value. It limits annual cost adjustments to inflation, prohibits contractors from making decisions about inmate release dates or disciplinary actions, and requires contractors to provide financial statements, civil rights insurance, and reimburse the state for emergency services. These provisions apply directly to private prison contractors and the Arizona Department of Corrections.