Built on Practice and Theory: Preparing Students Who Will Shape the Future of Justice

John A. Alese has worn nearly every hat imaginable in the field of criminal justice — from the jail floor to statewide leadership, to legal compliance and national consulting. His breadth of experience came into sharp focus during a security audit, when he identified a lock design so faulty that he was able to exit a corrections facility using nothing more than the cardboard from a roll of toilet paper.

The moment wasn’t about the escape, but the understanding behind it — expertise built over decades of work that began with his criminal justice education at the University of Arizona, where internships and hands-on exposure shaped how he learned the field.

The foundation formed in his early years now shapes how he gives. 

A U of A alum, John earned his bachelor’s degree in what was then called public administration, with an emphasis in corrections. He enjoyed his undergraduate studies immediately and gravitated toward the many applied learning opportunities that placed him inside real correctional environments, such as the Arizona State Prison.

“When I entered my program at the university, I immediately realized I felt at home,” John said. “Everything just fit right and I’ve never forgotten that.”

A LEGACY SHAPED BY EXPERIENCE

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Through the John Anthony Alese Endowed Completion Fund and the John Anthony Alese Undergraduate Award and Internship Fund — both in criminal justice studies within the School of Government and Public Policy — John’s generosity helps students gain real-world experience and stay on track to graduate. The Completion Fund assists students as they earn their degrees, while the Award and Internship Fund provides financial support for internships and practical training. 

In criminal justice, classroom learning alone is rarely enough. Internships, applied training, and financial stability can determine whether a student completes their degree or is forced to step away.

John’s journey in criminal justice began on the ground floor, as a corrections officer at the now-closed Pima County Correctional Facility, where he witnessed firsthand the unique challenges within the system. Throughout his career, John consistently emphasized rehabilitation, education, and problem solving as essential parts of effective corrections work.

His work later expanded beyond the jails. For nearly a decade, John helped shape statewide initiatives at the Arizona State Justice Planning Agency, overseeing millions in federal funding to support probation, parole, and correctional services across Arizona. He went on to consult nationally on facility openings, security audits, and policy development, always with a focus on practical, humane solutions.

“I absolutely loved my job,” John reflected.

He retired as Corrections Captain with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, where he led efforts to create jail-based rehabilitation programs, including GED courses, English as a Second Language classes, and mental health services — programs designed to provide opportunity and dignity to those in custody. John’s interest in law enforcement began long before his professional career. As a child growing up in New York, he volunteered with the Police Athletic League and played baseball alongside officers who quickly became his heroes.

“I’ve always had a very positive feeling toward law enforcement,” John said. When his parents moved the family to Tucson, they took him to the grand opening of the old Pima County Jail. As a kid, he was amazed by the facility. “I never imagined I’d be running it one day.”

CURIOSITY TO CALLING

That early interest never left John. What began as admiration for the people he encountered as a child gradually evolved into a calling shaped by education, mentorship, and experience. At the U of A, he found a program that didn’t just teach theory, but immersed students in the realities of the field — an approach that mirrored the applied learning that first sparked his interest years earlier.

John’s gift will provide critical support for students pursuing hands-on experiences and completing their degrees — opportunities he knows from experience can shape a career — and, through it, he joins the Old Main Society, a community of donors committed to ensuring the university’s future and the continued success of its students.

For the next generation of criminal justice professionals, John’s career represents the kind of impact that endures far beyond a single role or institution.

“John made an incredibly important impact on corrections in the state of Arizona, helping create a more cohesive and humane approach through his work,” said Alex Braithwaite, director of the School of Government and Public Policy. “His gift to the criminal justice studies program ensures that impact continues by supporting students facing financial challenges and expanding access to high-impact experiences such as internships with state and federal agencies.”

Giving is a part of John’s DNA. Supporting students on their path to graduation and beyond is a natural extension of his lifelong commitment to service, which has included volunteering with numerous community-based enrichment programs over the years.

“I can’t just come into this world and leave without doing something meaningful,” John said. “I want to help students enter and succeed in the field of law enforcement and corrections — to help our society. I’m so honored to be a part of that.”

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This story was included in the spring 2026 Developments newsletter.