In a move aimed at cracking down on repeat offenders, Arizona lawmakers have introduced new, stricter sentencing guidelines for criminals with multiple convictions. The change comes after a surge in recidivism rates across the state, prompting calls for tougher penalties to deter individuals from committing further crimes.Under the new guidelines, individuals convicted of a felony for the third time will face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, with no possibility of parole. This represents a significant increase from the previous maximum sentence of 10 years for repeat offenders.Furthermore, those convicted of a fourth felony offense will face a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison, with the possibility of life without parole for particularly egregious cases. These measures are designed to ensure that habitual offenders are kept off the streets and unable to harm the community further.In addition to the stricter sentencing guidelines, Arizona lawmakers have also allocated additional funding for rehabilitation programs aimed at reducing recidivism rates. These programs will focus on providing support services such as job training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health counseling to help convicted individuals reintegrate into society successfully.Arizona Attorney General, Jessica Reynolds, praised the new measures as a step towards improving public safety and holding repeat offenders accountable for their actions. She emphasized the importance of balancing punishment with rehabilitation in order to break the cycle of criminal behavior and reduce crime rates in the long term.Critics of the new sentencing guidelines argue that they disproportionately target marginalized communities and perpetuate a cycle of incarceration. They have called for alternative approaches such as restorative justice and community-based programs to address the root causes of criminal behavior and promote rehabilitation over punishment.Despite the debate surrounding the new measures, they are set to take effect immediately, with the first cases expected to be prosecuted under the stricter sentencing guidelines in the coming weeks. It remains to be seen how these changes will impact recidivism rates in Arizona and whether they will ultimately achieve their intended goal of reducing crime and keeping communities safe.