Originally posted by Beth Huebner on 12/03/2025
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🚨 New Research on Arizona's Detention Officer Workforce Highlights Critical Challenges-and Opportunities for Change
Arizona's detention officers play an essential but often overlooked role in our public safety system. A new executive summary released by Arizona State University and the University of Arizona sheds light on the significant recruitment and retention challenges facing county jails across the state.
Key insights from the report:
🔹 Recruitment is rebounding unevenly.
While hiring has improved since the pandemic, some counties-like Cochise, Pima, Pinal, and Santa Cruz-are seeing major gains, while others continue to lag.
🔹 Public perception matters.
Many Arizonans view the work as dangerous, stressful, and physically taxing. Yet, nearly half of the survey respondents still expressed some interest in detention work when benefits such as strong retirement packages or clear promotion pathways were emphasized.
🔹 Retention is a statewide struggle.
Turnover is high across nearly all counties, and most departures occur within the first three years. Officers cite inadequate staffing, burnout, and dissatisfaction with compensation as major drivers.
🔹 Retirement benefits make a difference.
The shift from a defined benefit to a defined contribution plan appears to have reduced both applicant interest and long-term retention-particularly for officers who once viewed the job as a pathway to a secure pension.
🔹 Detention work is often seen as a "stepping stone."
About a quarter of officers leave for other public safety roles, especially deputy positions. While this can support recruitment, it undermines long-term staffing stability.
🔹 Rural counties face unique obstacles.
Housing shortages, limited infrastructure, and competition from higher-paying industries create steep barriers to attracting and keeping officers.
The report's takeaway is clear:
Improving pay, benefits, staffing levels, mental health support, and training standards-while modernizing recruitment messaging-can strengthen Arizona's detention system and reduce costly turnover.
📄 Read the full report:
https://morrisoninstitute.asu.edu/sites/g/files/litvpz841/files/2025-11/2025_trif_detention_study_report.pdf
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Beth Huebner
Professor
Arizona State University