Eighteen Hawaii prisoners at Saguaro Correctional Center in Eloy filed a lawsuit this week claiming they've been stripped and beaten by guards.

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Meanwhile, Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie is reiterating his commitment to try and bring home island inmates kept in privately run mainland prisons.

Abercrombie said Wednesday it's "dysfunctional" to send Hawaii prisoners out of state because it costs money, damages communities and destroys families.

About 1,938 Hawaii prisoners are serving sentences in Arizona. The Democratic governor and former probation officer said he wants to bring all the prisoners back to Hawaii, but it may take time.

He said he'll work with the Legislature toward a solution that includes more intervention services.