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Navajo County sheriff outlines coordinated reentry program to connect incarcerated people with treatment and housing supports
Summary
Sheriff Klaus and Deputy Chief Garcia presented a coordinated reentry model focused on in-custody assessment, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and community-based case management intended to reduce recidivism and support successful reentry; supervisors praised the program and noted housing and data tracking as priorities.
Sheriff Klaus and Deputy Chief Garcia briefed the board on Aug. 20 about a multi-year effort to create coordinated reentry services in the Navajo County Jail.
Deputy Chief Garcia described a three-stage model: assess at booking (mental-health and substance-use screening), engage in in-custody treatment and case management (including efforts to provide medication-assisted treatment where clinically appropriate), and prepare for reintegration by developing peer-support connections and community referrals to local partners such as CBI and ChangePoint. Garcia said grant funding from the state criminal-justice commission and other sources helped expand the program over the past 12–18 months.
"We start engaging them in proper planning and case management for release back into society," Garcia said. Sheriff Klaus and several supervisors highlighted the county's efforts to secure grants and to coordinate with the county attorney, community justice programs and local providers. Supervisors commended staff and emphasized continuing needs: better housing resources for people leaving custody, improved outcome tracking and a permanent space or "coordinated release center" where community partners can perform warm handoffs at release.
The board offered unanimous praise for the program and urged staff to continue developing measurable outcomes and funding strategies for the next phase of operations.
The presentation did not include a board motion; it was a briefing and discussion with supervisors and staff.
