Arizona Rep. Walt Blackman (R-Snowflake) has introduced legislation that would create a college loan repayment program for mental health professionals who are working in state prisons.
The legislation, announced in September, and will help mental health professionals that work with the Arizona Department of Corrections and the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections.
The purpose of the program is to attract qualified mental health professionals to the departments because both are currently suffering from a shortage of mental health professionals, according to Blackman's news release.
Blackman said he has noticed the shortage and considers it a major problem.
"We have to look for ways to attract mental health professionals and compete with other states and higher-paying organizations that actively recruit these professionals," Blackman said in the release.
The legislator also said that as part of the program professionals must agree to work for a minimum of five years within the correctional facilities, probation or community inmate reintegration programs.
Alerts Sign-up