Conversations on Criminal Justice, a non-partisan community conversation on issues affecting the state of Arizona, is exploring how homelessness, mental health and substance abuse are handled in the criminal justice system.

The event will be from 8 a.m. to noon Friday, Aug. 25, at Chandler Gilbert Community College in the Agave Hall Community Room, 2626 E. Pecos Rd., Chandler.

Ryan Thornell, Director of the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry, will deliver the keynote address. 

Panel discussions include several topics.

Mental health and criminalization: Elected officials, academics, and lawmakers will discuss how people suffering from mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness are criminalized.

The panel will include state Rep. and Arizona House Speaker Ben Toma, attorney Kristie Ortega, state Sen. Brian Fernandez and Ray Young of Terros Health.

Panelists include state Rep. and House Judiciary Committee Chair Quang Nguyen, Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone,  Chandler police officer and Chandler Law Enforcement Association president Michael Collins.

Prison systems: Academics, advocates, and elected officials will discuss how Arizona prisons house, treat and prepare people with these overlaying issues for release into society. 

Panelists include outgoing state Sen.  and Senate Finance Committee Chair Steve Kaiser, criminal justice reform advocate 
Chris Martin, state Rep. Consuelo Hernandez and Kevin Wright of the Arizona State University School of Criminology & Criminal Justice.

 Early-bird registration is now available for $20 and will increase to $25 after Aug. 1. Registration includes breakfast and light snacks. Register here.

To sponsor this event, email  info@azvalleyconsulting.com.