Building Bridges
between former inmates
and their communities
Return To Honor is an Arizona nonprofit organization established in 1989 for the purpose of raising awareness among communities across America of the need for more compassionate, intelligent and effective methods of administering justice through alternatives to incarceration, and building bridges of understanding and actuality in re-entry and aftercare programs for formerly incarcerated individuals.
Suspended in the Spring of 2020 because of the outbreak of COVID-19, steps are now being taken to revive operations, beginning with a renaming and renewed corporate registration as the Return To Honor Coalition, the soon-to-be new organization will engage in providing information and reading materials to presently incarcerated individuals with specific focus on Arizona communities that will assist them with attitude and behavioral adjustments, educational materials and, eventually, scholarships for correspondence courses that will assist them in returning to their communities as more aware, informed and prepared to re-enter their communities as mature, responsible and contributing members.
With its formative roots in the conception and formation of two successful re-entry organizations in Bellingham, WA and in Yavapai County, AZ, the Return To Honor Coalition will work to co-ordinate, collaborate and communicate with those existing organizations and other communities throughout Arizona and elsewhere in the effort to inspire and establish similar organizations, and to augment and enhance efforts on the part of community leaders and state and federal officials to promote more effective means and methods of supporting re-entry and aftercare efforts wherever there is need and interest.
The Return To Honor Coalition will work to create educational programs, workshops and seminars inside as well as outside state, county and federal detention and correctional facilities, to raise awareness on both sides of walls and fences on the need for more responsible and effective means of facilitating “Second Chance” initiatives and justice reform.
Channon Kirchner Support Fund
Channon and his son Camdon
March, 2023
To write to Channon:
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Channon Kirchner
#179930
ASPC Tucson –
Whetstone Unit
Tucson, AZ 85734
529-574-0024
NOTE:
Use only typewritten (printed) or hand written,
using regular ballpoint pens…no gel pens, pencils or colored ink, and no fragrances or your letter will not be delivered.
You can send
3X5 or 4X6 photos.
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Many have inquired how they can help with Channon's current situation so we have included this page on the website to keep you updated and offer a place to donate if you are called to do so.
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Channon’s Mitigation Hearing and Sentencing went very well…lots of community support and people showed up to speak in his behalf. The prosecution laid out all the “terrible” things that could have happened, and have happened in the past, which is what they do because that’s their job, but even their experts who testified actually made the case better for Channon than they made it worse. After all was said and done, the judge clearly showed empathy for Channon and noted “for the record” that his 15 months waiting for the final sentencing was remarkable…and the show of community support.
Because it was a repeat DUI conviction, however, the judge was limited by law in how much leniency he could show. Channon’s sentence was 5+ years, which will work out to just over 4 years with good behavior. There are many programs for shortening one’s sentence when the conviction are solely drug or alcohol addiction, plus Channon’s attitude has been clear, remorseful and positive. He could have gotten 10 years or more.
He has since been designated to the prison complex in Tucson, but in a unit that is more humane and offers classes, treatment programs and medical support. Channon requested it, and the judge said he would recommend it. Information will be in the sidebar and will be updated once he settles in. He just arrived there a few days ago. (5/17).
He’s doing well, and hasn’t wavered at all from his planned course of recovery and proactive planning. He’ll come out on the other side of this a far better man, father and member of society. He says rather convincingly that he’ll get a degree if at all possible, and come out a drug counselor. His counselor at the treatment center spent five years in prison, so that may have played a big part in his turnaround.
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