Last year, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs launched Arizona’s Re-entry 20-30 program — which aims to improve the outcomes of current and formerly incarcerated people. On Tuesday, Hobbs announced a new collaboration that could help Arizonans with criminal records.
Hobbs was joined by state leaders and other stakeholders while touting the wins of Re-entry 2030 — she said 241 individuals earned industry recognized credentials or college degrees. And with the help of the Department of Economic Services, more than 3,000 have found work.
Hobbs said the state’s new collaboration with Rasa Legal will let Arizonans see if they can clear their criminal record — at no cost.
“Using Rasa Legal's tool, any Arizonan with a criminal record can simply go online and determine eligibility. From there, the team at Rasa will walk you through the process to help determine your best path forward," Hobbs said.
Noella Sudbury is the CEO of Rasa Legal. Her group is part of the state’s Re-entry 2030 program.
“First, having a record is incredibly common. In the state of Arizona, more than 2 million people have a criminal record. Second, for most people, clearing a record was very difficult for people to do on their own. And third, clearing a record could instantly transform someone's opportunities in life" — such as obtaining housing or employment, Sudbury said.
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Arizona ranks ninth in the U.S. for number of incarcerated women. Most are moms, and many have histories of drug addiction, mental illness and physical or sexual abuse. And when it's time to come home — and many will — the work to repair those bonds can feel impossible without support.
