Yavapai County News – The Yavapai County Reach Out Program is making a
difference in the lives of individuals at high risk for substance use disorders (SUD), mental
health concerns (MH), and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE). By connecting individuals to
essential services after they leave the Yavapai County Detention Center, the program is helping
reduce the chances of re-offending and providing support for those in need.
Between March 2022 and February 2024, the Reach Out Program worked with 13,071
individuals who interacted with Reach Out Release Coordinators at the Yavapai County
Detention Centers. The program focuses on connecting people to services such as addiction
treatment, mental health care, and support for past traumatic experiences.
Program Highlights:
- Of those who completed the screening:
- 50% of individuals disclosed moderate to high risk for mental health needs, and
- 48% disclosed moderate to high risk for substance use disorders.
Recidivism Rate at 24 Months: The overall rate of individuals returning to the criminal
justice system within 24 months was 18.1%. This means that just under 1 in 5 individuals
reoffended with a new charge.
Recidivism* by Time Period:
- At 6 months, 11.7% of individuals reoffended.
- At 12 months, 15.4% of individuals reoffended.
- At 18 months, 17.2% of individuals reoffended.
This shows that the Reach Out Program is successfully helping people stay on a better path after
release, with fewer individuals returning to jail or prison over time. It should also be noted that
while Yavapai County’s population increased by 9% since 2017, the jail’s average daily
population decreased by 8 ½ %.
Connections to Services:
- 3,619 individuals (27.7%) were referred to community services that support their
recovery and well-being. - 2,389 individuals were successfully connected to services such as addiction treatment,
mental health care, and other support programs.
The Reach Out Program is designed to support individuals after their release from jail, providing
a lifeline for those who need it most. By connecting them to the right resources, the program
helps reduce the risk of re-offending, increases public safety, and gives people the tools they
need to improve their lives. Reach Out is dedicated to building healthier, safer communities by
assisting people to overcome challenges and break the cycle of incarceration.
*Data is analyzed via third party through Northern Arizona University’s Center for Health
Equity Research.
