Arizona corrections director tells CRJ students improvement is goal

The Arizona Department of Corrections is streamlining the hiring process and giving college graduates a starting position with higher pay. Charles Ryan, director of the Arizona Department of Corrections, talked to criminology and criminal justice students about the many ways his agency is trying to improve. 

Ryan, who's been corrections director since 2009, spoke to students in Bob Robson's Police Accountability class. For those unfamiliar with corrections and the role that it plays, he gave an in-depth presentation about the state agency and it's history.

Ryan didn't sugarcoat past incidents in which prisoners escaped, rioted or harmed correctional officials. He stressed that it was important to learn from such incidents to improve how state prisons are run. 

One area that Ryan is seeking improvement is the recidivism rate of paroled inmates. The department is currently seeking legislative approval to run a 100-bed half-way house to help released inmates better transition to society. Research has shown such efforts help prevent ex-cons from re-offending.

Robson, a professor of practice in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, brings leaders from various criminal justice agencies to speak to his class each semester.  Ryan has talked to previous classes, as has US Marshal David Gonzales.

"What I try to do is show how all levels of the criminal justice system address accountability, whether it's a police agency, or in this case, the Department of Corrections," says Robson. "In a correctional setting, there is accountability to the inmates and accountability to the community which was evident by the presentation given by director Ryan."

Robson points to another advantage to have such criminal justice leaders address his class. It gives students direct contact with agency directors who can play a key role in getting an internship or a job interview.  At the end of his presentation, Director Ryan handed out his business card with his phone number and email address and suggested students explore a career in corrections and follow up with him. 

Next month, the director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Colonel Frank Milstead, will speak to Robson's Police Accountability class. Milstead is the former police chief of the Mesa Police Department and a 25-year veteran with Phoenix Police.