The Pima County Transition Center, a modular building next to the Pima County Jail, is planning to expand its operations from five to seven days a week by the end of April.
Justice Services Director Kate Vesely said the center aims to break the cycle of incarceration, especially for unhoused people and addicts.
“The Transition Center was created to help individuals who are in the justice system, effectively resolve those pending cases in justice proceedings, while also connecting them to resources that will hopefully alter ongoing justice system involvement,” Vesely said.
Vesely said expanding the hours of operation was made possible after the center received Opioid Settlement funding from the federal government earlier this year.
“We are in the process of hiring new additional justice navigators so that we are able to expand operations to seven days per week,” she said.
The Transition Center opened in 2023 and served nearly 2,500 people last year. After leaving the facility, 65 individuals secured temporary housing, while 31 acquired stable housing.
Vesely said the Transition Center team hopes to have a permanent building with 24-hour operation in the future.
