The Power of Peer Support in Parole Success

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Courtney Gottschalk is an accomplished Quality Assurance Coordinator with the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry (ADCRR), bringing nearly 18 years of dedicated experience in the field. Throughout her tenure, she has worked primarily within the Education, Programs, and Community Reentry division, where she has developed a deep understanding of correctional operations and inmate rehabilitation. As Quality Assurance Coordinator, Courtney oversees and leads a team responsible for monitoring and credentialing inmate programs within the state's correctional facilities, including initiatives like Changing Offender Behavior. Her work ensures that these programs meet established standards and contribute effectively to the rehabilitation of incarcerated individuals. In addition to her primary responsibilities, Courtney serves as the Statewide Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) leader for ADCRR. In this role, she is responsible for providing immediate support to staff members following stressful or critical incidents, ensuring their mental and emotional well-being in high-pressure environments. Courtney also plays a key role in the development and delivery of staff training programs. She is the lead instructor for an ongoing programs academy, where she trains new and existing staff on best practices for facilitating inmate rehabilitation. Notably, Courtney has delivered a specialized motivational interviewing class as part of a two-year-long mental health training initiative for Correctional Officers working in high-risk, high-stress environments. Her expertise in this area helps equip officers with the communication tools necessary to support individuals facing mental health challenges within the correctional system. Throughout her career, Courtney has consistently demonstrated a commitment to enhancing the quality of services provided to both inmates and staff, ensuring that ADCRR’s mission of rehabilitation and reentry is met with the highest standards of care and professionalism.

Joe Hinsberg is the Community Corrections Manager with the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry (ADCRR), bringing more than 25 years of experience to the field of corrections and community reintegration. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from Arizona State University, which provided a strong foundation for his career in public safety. Joe began his career as a Correctional Officer, working in one of the most challenging environments—death row—where he gained invaluable experience that has shaped his approach to corrections and rehabilitation. Over the past 22 years, Joe has focused his expertise on Community Corrections, serving the Phoenix Metropolitan area. His extensive background in this area has made him a key figure in reentry and recidivism reduction initiatives across the state. Joe has been involved in several high-impact projects aimed at reducing recidivism and improving the reintegration process for formerly incarcerated individuals. Notably, he played a pivotal role in the Legacy Grant Project, which targeted South Phoenix's highest recidivism zip codes. This project collaborated closely with community partners, local police departments, and families to eliminate barriers that might lead to re-incarceration. Through these efforts, Joe helped to create a supportive environment that empowered individuals to successfully transition back into society. In addition, Joe contributed to the Second Chance Center, an initiative designed to assist individuals who were 90 days from release and those currently under supervision. The program provided crucial services such as job placement, career development, housing support, and substance abuse counseling, helping individuals overcome challenges and reduce the likelihood of reoffending. Beyond his direct involvement in community corrections, Joe is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and expertise with others in the field. He serves as an instructor and presenter at the Community Correction Officer Training Academy, where he trains new officers on the skills and strategies necessary for success in community corrections. Additionally, Joe supports the Programs Academy, assisting in training staff working within the prison system, further ensuring the effectiveness of ADCRR’s rehabilitation efforts. Joe’s career has been defined by his passion for supporting individuals in