Sheriff’s office outlines new CHANGE reentry program; commissioners ask for regular data updates

Under Sheriff Joshua Cruz and Captain Ray Swallows presented a comprehensive update on programming at the Alachua County Jail on Oct. 14, spotlighting a new reentry initiative called CHANGE (Community housing, Academics, Nutrition groups and Employment).

Captain Swallows said the program — launched in early September for people with at least 45 days remaining on a sentence — screens participants and connects them with housing, employment and education supports prior to release. “Change is an acronym for community housing, academics, nutrition groups and employment,” Swallows said. He reported that as of the presentation 42 inmates had been screened and 26 had accepted services; several had received help securing jobs and housing and referrals had been made for GED testing and other services.

The sheriff’s team also provided operational figures: volunteers supporting jail programs number about 60; in 2024 some 1,396 inmates took part in classes and 253 received certificates of completion; the in‑house transition program has shown non‑rearrest rates among completers in internal tracking. Staff described partnerships with CareerSource, Santa Fe College, released reentry providers and community nonprofits that support programming and post‑release connections.

Commissioners pressed for clearer, repeatable metrics and tracking. Several asked that the jail and release‑reentry partners produce program dashboards showing participation, completions, and re‑arrest rates over consistent time windows; one commissioner moved and the board approved (by voice) a motion asking staff to provide a regular update on jail programs, with the board setting a requested reporting cadence (quarterly reporting via staff email and periodic updates to the commission). Participants emphasized voluntary participation in all programs and noted that program eligibility is tied to custody classification.