Reentry & Rehabilitation

Public safety does not end when an individual leaves custody. Successful reentry into our communities is one of the most effective ways to reduce crime, decrease repeat incarceration, support victims, and build safer communities. When individuals return to their communities with the tools, treatment, and support necessary to succeed, they are far less likely to reoffend—benefiting families, neighborhoods, taxpayers, and the public safety system as a whole.

Arizona’s county sheriffs have a unique opportunity to improve these outcomes. Because county jails are often the first point of contact within the criminal justice system and the last point of contact before an individual returns home, sheriffs are uniquely positioned to identify needs, connect individuals with services, and help build a pathway toward long-term success.

Partnership-driven reentry

The Arizona Sheriffs’ Association supports evidence-based reentry initiatives that bring together sheriffs with behavioral health providers, treatment organizations, healthcare professionals, employers, educators, housing providers, veterans’ services, faith-based organizations, nonprofit partners, and other community stakeholders. These partnerships recognize that no single agency can address the complex challenges that contribute to repeat incarceration, but together they can improve outcomes and strengthen public safety.

The Reach Out program

One of Arizona’s leading examples is the Reach Out program, developed by the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office and now being implemented in multiple counties across the state. Reach Out begins connecting incarcerated individuals with community partners before they leave custody, helping them access behavioral health treatment, substance use recovery services, employment assistance, housing resources, education, peer support, and other essential services. By creating a coordinated transition from jail to community, the program has demonstrated significant reductions in recidivism while also reducing jail populations and improving long-term public safety outcomes.

The Arizona Sheriffs’ Association advocates for policies, partnerships, and sustainable funding that expand access to effective reentry programs across Arizona. The Association believes successful reentry is not simply about releasing someone from custody—it is about reducing recidivism, supporting accountability, strengthening families, and creating safer communities through collaboration and evidence-based public safety practices.