Public commenter credits probation and recovery court with recovery, urges diversion over incarceration

A public commenter identified as a resident told Coconino County officials during a meeting that probation and a recovery court plea helped them stop using methamphetamine and rebuild their life, and urged the county to favor diversion programs over incarceration.

The commenter said they began using methamphetamine around age 12 and later sold drugs. “I was about 12 years old when I started using meth,” they said, and added that “when I was 21 years old, I sold drugs 2 times to an undercover police officer.” They said they received a recovery court plea and began intensive probation in April 2018, noting, “I was sentenced to 3 years of intensive probation.”

The commenter described probation as misunderstood and emphasized its role as an alternative to prison. “Probation is a diversion from prison,” they said. “What it is is it’s almost as if law enforcement and behavioral health had this perfect baby.” They said probation included treatment and supervision—“I had 2 surveillance officers, and I got a lot of treatment. I needed a lot of treatment.”—and that those elements helped them sober up and reengage with family and community.

Citing both personal rehabilitation and public-cost considerations, the commenter recounted being ordered to do community service at the Family Food Center and witnessing community needs during the serving portion. “It cost a fortune to house a person in detention. So it saves the state a ton of money. I can, you know, supervise 35 probationers at a fraction of the cost that you can to detain 35 probationers,” they said. They also argued probation allows people to keep jobs, pay restitution and contribute economically: “Probation is an opportunity to help people keep their jobs, contribute to the whole economical system, and also take accountability if they need to pay back a victim, if they owe victim restitution.”

The commenter framed probation as part of community safety and recovery rather than only punishment: “Each community member’s life matters. We are not just a aggravated DUI or a sales charge, and if we work towards making each community member just a little bit healthier, well, then we have healthier communities, and in turn, we have safe communities.”

These remarks occurred during the meeting’s public-comment portion; the transcript does not record any formal action, vote, or staff response tied to the comments.