Page 8 August 2013 Transition from Jail to Community aids system By Steven Sarkis Maricopa County is joining a growing national trend in the push to reduce recidivism in the criminal justice system. The term recidivism generally refers to individuals going to jail, getting released, going back to jail, getting released, and so on. As part of the effort to decrease this problem, Maricopa County recently unveiled a program called Transition from Jail to Community. The focus of this great program is to help low-risk inmates and offenders get reintegrated back into their communities sooner rather than later. Currently, even low-risk inmates often are held in custody for months awaiting a resolution of their case, not to mention wasting resources in jail such as housing and food that often end up getting footed by the taxpayers. To avoid these problems, the program hopes to encourage the use of alternatives such as probation, community service or mental-health treatment that might be more effective than putting low-risk individuals in jail. The program plans to tackle the high recidivism rates in Maricopa County by categorizing inmates in accordance with the severity of the crime they committed and the likelihood the inmate will find himself back in prison. Determining the likelihood of whether the inmate will return to prison is the tricky part and will be based on various factors such as age, age at first arrest and number of prior arrests. Although the minor details will be figured out over time, the aim of the program is focused in the right direction. Give these low-risk individuals options other than jail, avoid having them clog a system designed for more serious criminals, and get them back into their communities as productive members. This great program is yet another step in the right direction for the criminal justice system in Maricopa County and for Arizona as a whole. Steven Sarkis is the justice of peace for Arcadia Biltmore Justice Court. M   S  C  480.998.0676 MandSChristy@cox.net www.ChristyRealty.com Experience. Service. Results. Personalized Service Expert Representation Aggressive Marketing Upgraded Online Exposure Staging Short Sale Processing Leasing Z Z Z Z Lisa Capes Sr. Account Manager / Sales & Marketing 6710 N. Scottsdale Rd. Ste. 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85253 Phone: 480-695-3136 CapesL@ctt.com www.chicagotitlearizona.com/capes ...where Experience equals Excellence EXPANDED HACIENDA GRANADA RANCH STYLE FEATURING LIVABLE 2200 SQ. FT. 3BR/DEN/3BA PLAN & MANY IMPROVEMENTS! Kitchen with beautiful slab granite counters overlooking family room with brick fireplace & French exits~Resort-style backyard with BBQ, bar, B/I seating & sparkling pebble surface pool. CALL FOR RECENT IMPROVEMENTS & PRICING. 4117 East Coolidge Street HACIENDA GRANADA! “Arizona’s Award Winning Mortgage Company” Susie Sabel Mortgage Banker Office: 480-305-8845 ssabel@homeownersfg.com NMLS #182660 BK #0906222 20 Years of Arcadia Lending ENHANCED WITH STONE, FOUNTAINS, PAVERS & courtyards, this artfully renovated home evokes the ambience of a Tuscan villa. Best house on tour! $1,000,000. 4227 North 62nd Street COLONIA MIRAMONTE SHOW STOPPER! Fabulous 2010 contemporary with soaring ceilings, walls of glass & magnificient views! Represented Buyer. $1,800,000. 5434 East Lincoln Drive, #87 PHOENICIAN EAST GOLF LOT, REMODELED TO PERFECTION with extensive slate, granite & travertine, this gorgeous single level 3BR/2.5BA end unit with spa in a coveted gated community offers serene golf course & water views--a turnkey lock & leave oasis! NOT LEASED LAND. $645,000. NESTLED ON A .29-ACRE CUL-DE-SAC LOT IN A DEMAND HOPI ELEM. NEIGHBORHOOD, THIS UPDATED 3BR/3BA EXUDES CHARM! Features include fully remodeled kitchen with granite counter tops, family room with fireplace, French doors overlooking expansive patio & sparkling play pool. Vintage tile, extensive Saltillo & plantation shu�ers lend character. OFFERED AT $450,000. 4617 North 65th Street 4634 North 42nd Place SOLD! SOLD! SOLD! JUST SOLD!