After 1 year of Pima County program to cut recidivism, fewer people were booked into jail

It’s been a little more than a year since Pima County officials launched the county’s Transition Center. It’s a project to connect nonviolent criminal offenders with resources to help keep them from getting jailed again.

The center is just outside the county jail. It tries to connect people who’ve recently been released with resources they might need — like public housing, transportation and medical aid — in the hopes of helping them avoid getting sent back to jail ahead of their court dates.

Deputy County Administrator Steve Holmes told county supervisors Tuesday the center served more than 1,100 people between August 2023 and August 2024.

“The vast majority of folks are being shepherded through the Transition Center via our pre-trial, pre-booking modular, meaning they committed a misdemeanor offense,” he said.

Holmes said there were 158 fewer people booked into the county jail each month on average as a result, and saved about $80,000 a month in booking fees. He said in its second year of operation, the center hoped to see more funding, shelter space and extended hours to assist more people.

Pima County Supervisor Steve Christy said he wanted the program’s annual review to include feedback from surrounding communities on whether it’s helped cut down on crime.

“We need to know if our efforts, your efforts, have been effective in achieving the goals that businesses, neighborhoods, communities, are looking for,” he said.