MCSO, ASU release numbers from latest sex-trafficking screening tool

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, which has partnered since 2018 with the Arizona State University Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention Research, last week released numbers from a new tool designed to help identify potential victims of sex and human trafficking.

In 2023, MCSO, ASU STIR, sex-trafficking survivors and community partners developed a tablet screening tool for inmates at the Estrella Jail, according to a release from the sheriff’s office. Since July 1, 2023:

• 191 inmates have completed the screening and been identified as a victim of sex trafficking.
• 109 of the inmates were interviewed by one of six detention human trafficking liaisons and were connected to community providers for services.
• 193 phone calls to the Arizona Human Trafficking Tip Line have been made from MCSO jails.
• Four inmates have been placed into housing for trafficking survivors and provided other services once released.

In addition, officials said since 2019, 10 traffickers have been identified through tablet activity and turned over to law enforcement detectives for further investigation.

More than 300 MCSO civilian, detention and sworn staff have received sex-trafficking training as part of the collaboration with ASU, the release stated. MCSO and ASU STIR also developed “industry-leading sex-trafficking training for jails and prisons titled ‘Sex Trafficking Behind Bars.’”

Training focuses on identifying victims in custody, identifying how victims are recruited behind bars, interviewing victims, connecting victims with community resources and using jail intelligence to identify traffickers in custody.

The training has been provided to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office and the Arizona Department of Corrections and has been presented at state and regional conferences.