The Arizona Department of Corrections wants 102 new positions and more than $13 million for re-entry and recidivism reduction programs.
The Arizona Capitol Times reports that a budget request sent to Gov. Doug Ducey's office said the agency's goal to reduce recidivism by 25 percent in the next decade will be "delayed indefinitely" without additional resources.
Since 2016, Ducey has made recidivism reduction a priority.
The agency wants funding to expand substance abuse treatment services in prison, create a special needs supervision unit and provide "motivational interviewing" training to corrections officers.
Prisoner rights advocates aren't convinced the request signals a change in philosophy.
Donna Hamm, director of Middle Ground Prison Reform, says the move is designed to look good on paper but is simply going to add more staff.
