Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell is praising a new Arizona law that strengthens protections for crime victims by allowing them to block all types of contact from incarcerated individuals — not just letters.
Signed into law this week, House Bill 2108 updates existing legislation from 1999 that only allowed victims to request a stop to postal mail from inmates. Now, that right extends to any form of communication, including texts, emails, or digital messages.
“By the time victims have been through the legal system and sentencing, they’ve often endured as much as they can take,” Mitchell said. “This new law expands their rights and gives them the option to refuse any further contact from the very person who caused so much pain.”
The law, which goes into effect 90 days after the legislative session ends, requires victims or survivors to submit a written request to the Arizona Department of Corrections or Juvenile Corrections to block communications.
Mitchell also noted the law’s timely passage, as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week begins April 6. She thanked Rep. Leo Biasiucci for sponsoring the bill and Gov. Katie Hobbs for signing it.
“This is an appropriate tribute to those who have suffered at the hands of a criminal,” Mitchell added.
