Unlocking the Key to Successful Reentry: Breaking the Cycle

Every year, over 14,000 individuals are released from Arizona’s prisons. Although many aim to transform their lives, a troubling trend remains: 36% of them are reincarcerated within three years. This cycle persists largely due to a critical oversight in reentry programs—the essential role of social environments.

Research indicates that criminal behavior is often learned through social interactions. Differential Association Theory highlights that these behaviors are absorbed from one’s relationships. Despite some reentry services provided by the Arizona Department of Corrections, comprehensive support addressing the social dynamics of reintegration is notably absent. Many returning citizens grapple with unresolved family issues and a lack of positive mentors, which complicates their reintegration process and increases the risk of reoffending.

The first six months post-release are pivotal. Decisions regarding housing and employment are often solidified during this time. A 2022 Arizona Town Hall report on criminal justice reform emphasizes the potential of mentoring programs, particularly those led by formerly incarcerated individuals. Organizations such as Hope Lives – Vive La Esperanza and the Arizona Village Network in Phoenix are addressing this need by connecting returning citizens with peer mentors who have shared experiences, demonstrating that behavioral change is feasible through positive influences.

This need is especially pressing in communities heavily affected by incarceration. In areas like south Phoenix and Tucson, grassroots initiatives—often led by people of color—aim to help individuals reconnect with their communities. These programs foster not just a reduction in recidivism but also the healing of relationships and restoration of dignity.

However, these vital programs face significant underfunding and accessibility challenges statewide. Arizona must prioritize investment in community-based reentry initiatives that start within prison walls and continue into the community, particularly those emphasizing mentorship. Without structured support, individuals are more likely to reoffend, costing taxpayers significantly. Arizona’s prison expenditures exceed $1.3 billion annually, one of the highest in the nation per capita. Allocating even a fraction of these funds toward reentry services could alleviate recidivism, enhance community safety, and reduce crime.

Other states are illustrating the benefits of embedding social networks into reentry policies. For instance, California’s Anti-Recidivism Coalition connects individuals reentering society with once-incarcerated mentors, showcasing the value of lived experience. Similarly, New York’s Center for Employment Opportunities provides paid transitional work alongside coaching and community support, underscoring that strong relationships are crucial for effective reintegration.

Reentry is often wrongly perceived as a solely individual responsibility. The available research and personal narratives challenge this notion. Individuals are more likely to change when their environments improve. The community must collectively decide whether to promote success or perpetuate old habits. Supporting returning citizens in establishing new social connections enables transformative change, an issue of both moral and practical significance. Arizona cannot afford to ignore this reality: the financial and social costs of recidivism are too great. To genuinely reduce recidivism, the focus must shift to the environments that formerly incarcerated individuals are returning to, paving the way for a society that truly offers second chances.

Catrin Shmaeil is an accelerated master’s student at Arizona State University studying criminal justice.