Monday, October 26, 2026 · Phoenix, Arizona
Justice Now AZ

Watching the criminal legal system — from police to post-release

Agency Watch

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Jails

One of the largest jail systems in the country — Lower Buckeye, 4th Avenue, Estrella and the Towers — with its deaths in custody and conditions, Correctional Health Services, the Melendres v. Arpaio court monitor and its costs, and the legacy of Tent City.

History & Context

Key events, each tied to a published source. Entries we could not verify are marked. Spot an error? Tell us.

  1. 1993Tent City

    Tent City opens

    Sheriff Joe Arpaio set up an outdoor tent jail in his first year in office, promoting it as a cheap answer to jail overcrowding.

    Sources: The Arizona Republic · New York Times

  2. 2013Melendres

    Melendres verdict: MCSO racially profiled Latino drivers

    A federal court found that Arpaio's traffic patrols targeting immigrants racially profiled Latinos, which led to court-ordered reforms and a court monitor that Maricopa County taxpayers have paid for since.

    Sources: AP News

  3. April 4, 2017Tent City

    Sheriff Penzone announces Tent City closure

    Penzone said the tents were 'not a crime deterrent' and 'not cost efficient,' and that closing them would save about $4.5 million a year. About 800 people were held there.

    Sources: AP News · NPR

  4. August 2024Deaths in custody

    Republic investigation: 43 jail deaths in both 2022 and 2023

    The Arizona Republic found 43 deaths in county jails in each of 2022 and 2023, and that MCSO had initially underreported the totals.

    Sources: The Arizona Republic · MCSO – In-custody deaths

  5. October 8, 2025Melendres

    Court audit: Melendres compliance costs overstated

    A court-ordered review of $226 million that MCSO attributed to Melendres compliance (Feb. 2014 to Sept. 2024) found most of it was misattributed or improperly prorated. The county says total Melendres spending, including legal costs and the monitor, is about $323 million. Monitor-related costs were about $31 million through FY2024.

    Sources: Court order re: cost audit (PDF) · AP News · AZFamily

  6. May 18, 2026Deaths in custody

    Public health group tallies record jail deaths in 2025

    The Arizona Public Health Association reported that MCSO listed 39 deaths in 2025, 41 after medical examiner review, and that the examiner's review added seven deaths to MCSO's 2024 count of 27.

    Note: Figures are AZPHA's; MCSO's own counts differ.

    Sources: AZ Public Health Association