Assigned to JUD FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2615
prisoners; transition program
Purpose
Allows the Arizona Department of Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR) to grant a
onetime, 90-day extension for an inmate to continue receiving transitional services if certain
conditions apply.
Background
ADCRR is required to contract with private and nonprofit entities that provide eligible
inmates with transition services in the community for up to 90 days. Rules adopted for the
implementation of this program must include: 1) eligibility criteria for inmates; 2) a requirement
that each contracted entity train mentors or certify that mentors are trained; 3) a requirement that
services offered to an inmate include psychoeducational counseling and case management
services; and 4) a requirement that an inmate may only be released to the transition program after
the victim has been provided notice and an opportunity to be heard. In awarding contracts for
transition services, ADCRR must also: 1) conduct annual studies on recidivism rates for inmates
who receive transition services; 2) submit a report of its recidivism findings that contains
prescribed information; and 3) provide information about transition services to all inmates who
may be eligible (A.R.S. § 31-281).
To be considered eligible for transition services, an inmate must: 1) not be convicted of
sexual offenses or violent crimes as outlined; 2) not have any felony detainers; 3) agree in writing
to provide specific information after the inmate is released to be used for recidivism reports;
4) have made satisfactory progress by complying with all programming on the inmate's
individualized corrections plan; 5) be classified as minimum or medium custody; and 6) not have
been found in violation of any major violent rule during the inmate's current period of incarceration
or in violation of any other major rule within the previous six months (A.R.S. § 31-281).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Allows ADCRR to grant a onetime extension of 90 days for an inmate to continue receiving
transitional services if all of the following apply:
a) ADCRR determines that the inmate will need additional treatment or intervention to
adequately address the inmate's specific criminogenic needs;
b) the contracted entity that is providing the inmate's transition services uses an empirically
validated, peer-reviewed instrument to evaluate the inmate's risk of recidivism and
identifies the inmate's primary criminogenic factors; and
c) the contracted entity submits an updated individualized service plan to ADCRR. FACT SHEET
H.B. 2615
Page 2
2. Makes a conforming change.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
MAPS 2/13/23 DP 14-0-0-1
3
rd
Read 2/28/23 31-28-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 13, 2023
ZD/KS/sr