Elizabeth Arellano
I’ve always been interested in the criminal justice system, particularly the courts and understanding the factors and mindsets that lead individuals down this path. That interest led me to pursue studies in the field, and I’ve now spent about 16 years working in criminal justice, including 13 years with the county.
I began my career as a court clerk, where I was responsible for pulling files and managing records for all county courts in El Paso County. I promoted to Senior Clerk before being hired by the County Attorney's office. I spent six months with the County Attorney’s Mental Health Unit, assisting with emergency detention orders and related hearings. From there, I joined the Criminal Justice Coordination Department as a Pretrial Supervision Officer, a role I held for three years before being promoted to supervisor.
After that, I made a lateral move to our Assessment Unit inside the jail, which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is responsible for processing every individual booked on a criminal charge. I was later promoted to Manager, where I had the opportunity to expand my knowledge into reentry services. I now oversee the Reentry Unit.
One of the most rewarding parts of my work is being able to support individuals as they move through the justice process and remind them that they are still human. There is often significant stigma surrounding justice-involved individuals or those who have experienced incarceration. Being able to treat people with dignity and play a role in shifting that mindset is something that I find incredibly meaningful.
• National Accreditation - First in Texas
• Seventh in Nation
• Annual Community Resource Fair
• GED Program in Jail
• First-Time Offender Diversion Program
What do you attribute your success to?
My upbringing had a strong influence on the path I chose. I was raised with the belief that hard work, resilience, and compassion matter. Those values shaped how I approach both my career and the people I work with.
Working in the criminal justice system, I often encounter individuals at some of the most difficult moments of their lives. My background taught me to approach those situations with understanding and dignity, while still maintaining accountability. That perspective has stayed with me throughout my career and continues to motivate the work I do today.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to always be willing to learn as much as possible, value and invest in relationships, take ownership of your mistakes, and treat everyone with respect.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Follow what you truly want to do and pursue the opportunities that interest you. Don’t hold yourself back because of what others might think. Take every chance you can to learn, grow, and build your network. One thing I always emphasize is not burning bridges—relationships matter. Many of the connections I made when I first started with the county, and even earlier when I worked in law offices, have remained valuable throughout my career. Those relationships have come full circle in ways I didn’t expect. I’d also encourage people not to be afraid to try new things or to ask for more opportunities, because those experiences often lead to growth and can really pay off in the long run.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges is the public perception of the justice system. Many people assume our role is to get individuals arrested or report negative behavior. In reality, our focus is on gathering information and helping people navigate the process. However, because we are a county entity, we often have to work through that stigma and help people understand that we are not there to get them in trouble. Changing that mindset and building trust can be a significant challenge.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide my work are honesty, humility, professionalism, integrity, and respect. I also believe strongly in accountability, empathy, and building trust with the people and partners we serve.
Locations
Criminal Justice Coordination Deptartment-El Paso County
El Paso, TX