Corrections News

This DC Public Radio program interviews Nancy G. La Vigne, Director, Justice Policy Center of The Urban Institute.

The topic is “Research on Women Offenders” as documented by “Returning Home: Understanding the Challenges of Prisoner Reentry,” which represents the only published empirical research with a sample size  sufficient to identify statistical differences in the experiences of women versus men released from prison.

Listen to the podcast here

For additional information on women offenders visit NIC’s Women Offenders project

By Donald Coffey and Joel F. Botner, Re-Entry Unit, Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation Department, Miami, Florida

In this article, Coffey and Botner share some of Miami-Dade County's "lessons learned" in working with jail inmates who are veterans.

They discuss:

- The challenges jails may face in identifying veterans in the jail, and some ways to encourage disclosure so that these inmates get the help they deserve;

- The behavioral and treatment needs that tend to be commonly seen among veteran inmates;

- Assistance and resources available from the U.S. Veterans Administration - for inmates and for staff and community education; and

- Strategies for ensuring that veteran inmates are connected with community services as they approach release from the jail.

Download the full article here

“Medicaid Expansion and the Local Criminal Justice System” (American Jails Nov/Dec 2011) By Michael DeBose, CEO, Community Oriented Correctional Health Services

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) of 2010 includes provisions with a major potential impact on local jails:

"In 2014, cities, counties, and states will have an unprecedented opportunity to reduce the costs associated with individuals involved in the justice system—from jail bed use to emergency room admissions to medical care—while improving public safety and public health. Medicaid expansion under national health reform will extend the prospect of health care coverage to an estimated 16 million newly eligible individuals, including the substantial population of nonviolent offenders with mental illness or chemical addiction who cycle in and out of local jails."

This article explains how upcoming expansion of Medicaid to low-income Americans will make many more jail inmates eligible for coverage, helping to relieve the cost burden currently carried by local jails and public health systems. As coverage increases, people are less likely to use emergency rooms for care, are more likely to receive chemical dependency treatment, and are more likely to receive effective community-based mental health treatment - with significant public safety benefits and a net lower cost to taxpayers.

To be ready to take advantage of the new policy promptly when it goes into effect in 2014, jail administrators should begin planning now for this change by collaborating with their public health colleagues and raising issues, as appropriate, for state legislative attention.

For example, what might be the future role of jails in helping detainees enroll in the Medicaid program? These and other policy questions are outlined as a starting point for discussion.

Download the full article from AJA.org

Building the Model and Beginning the Journey is the first book in the APEX series for Achieving Performance Excellence, providing an overview of the APEX Journey—a roadmap for correctional agencies to use as they begin an organizational change initiative. Each of the eight domains in the APEX Public Safety Model is described.

The Leadership domain focuses on how leaders can responsibly guide their organization and staff while maintaining public safety. The Organizational Culture domain looks at how the values, norms and assumptions of the organization influences behavior. The Operations Focus domain concentrates on safe and secure supervision and settings and the process management of the organization. The Stakeholder Focus domain examines the ability of the organization to create services through the engagement of stakeholders. The Workforce Focus domain focuses on the management of the workforce, including development, engagement and environment. The Strategic Planning domain considers how the organization develops, manages, and implements strategies, plans, and initiatives.

The Measurement, Analysis, and Knowledge Management domain concentrates on data and information management in the organization, and the Results domain views the effectiveness of the outcomes for achieving the organization’s mission and goals. An overview of the APEX Tools for Organizational Assessment—the APEX Screener, the APEX Organizational Profile, and the APEX Inventory: Powerful Tools for Assessment, Communication and Change—is presented. Developing a Communications Plan comprises the final chapter.

For additional information see NIC’s APEX project.

Now available in the NIC Library, “You’re An Adult Now: Youth in Adult Criminal Justice Systems“ focuses on issues managing youth offenders in an adult corrections system.

Key findings include:

• Youth transferred to the adult corrections system recidivate at a higher rate than those kept in the juvenile justice system;
• Pretrial, post-conviction, and community supervision corrections systems face challenges keeping youth safe, effectively providing for their services and supervision, and containing costs required to serve youth appropriately. Due to these and other challenges corrections systems face when managing these youth, the transfer of juveniles in adult institutions might run counter to correctional and rehabilitative goals; 
• To overcome these challenges, a number of states and localities have developed innovative ways of managing youth when they have been charged, convicted and committed to the adult corrections system. These changes are helping improve public safety, contain costs, successfully rehabilitate youth and help them transition to adulthood.

Read the Full Document

Beginning February 21, the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) will be hosting the Evidence Based Decision Making in Local Criminal Justice Systems Phase III Kick-off workshop in Aurora, CO.

The purpose of the workshop is to provide the groundwork for the seven Evidence Based Decision Making in Local Criminal Justice System sites to facilitate successful implementation of their change strategies during Phase III of the Initiative. Plenary presentations will cover topics such as: expectations for the work of Phase III (i.e., reviewing the Roadmap); guarding against implementation failure; building communication strategies; and data collection, analysis and performance measurement. We intend to allot time for each site to present on their work.

The workshop will include opportunities for EBDM policy teams to engage in teamwork, as well as share their change strategies and progress with their peer jurisdictions. Participants will also attend workshops to discuss change strategies common across multiple EBDM sites (e.g., implementing pretrial risk assessments, diversion practices, revising violation policies, etc.).

For additional information see NIC’s EBDM Project.

Updated 2/2: Questions and Answers appended

The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) Academy Division is seeking applications for the development of a competency-based, blended modality training curriculum that will provide corrections professionals with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to facilitate offender groups using the Thinking for a Change(T4C) 3.1 curriculum.

Scope of Work: At the end of this cooperative agreement, a curriculum will be developed using the Instructional Theory into Practice (ITIP) model. The curriculum will include a facilitator’s manual and all relevant supplemental material (such as presentation slides, visual and/or audio aids, handouts, and exercises). The use of blended learning tools such as a live Web-based training environment or supplemental online training courses is required. Clear learning objectives must be contained in each lesson, and delivery modality should be based on how to most efficiently and effectively achieve these objectives.

The curriculum will be piloted and changes incorporated as necessary. An additional pilot should then take place followed by the delivery of a final product. The ultimate outcome objective of the curriculum must be skill-based, involving preparing staff to effectively deliver T4C 3.1 to offender groups. Tests for knowledge/skill acquisition should be incorporated into each component of the program. Consideration should be given to requiring participants to complete some work, such as reading assignments or online courses through NIC’s Learning Center, in advance of classroom instruction. An evaluation, to be distributed at the conclusion of the training, will be developed. This evaluation must examine the content, processes, and delivery of the program; the evaluation should be designed with the purpose of helping to revise and improve the training and curriculum.

DEADLINE: Applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. EDT, Friday, February 10, 2012.

• Download the Full Solicitation

• Learn more about NIC’s Cooperative Agreements

Questions and Answers:

1.  Question:  Has a competency model been developed, or is that part of this contract?

•   Answer: We do not have an existing competency model. A competency model would be a positive component of a proposal but is not required.

2.     Question: Are the timelines negotiable?

        ·         Answer:  The RFP specifies that the project should be done by September 2012, but specific goals and markers within that timeframe should be outlined in your proposal.

3.     Question: What level of WBT development is desired (levels 1-4)?

         ·         Answer: We did not specify this in the RFP. A proposed level development would be a positive component of a proposal, but it is not required.

4.     Question: Is the training to be integrated with an existing LMS?

         ·         Answer: Yes, it will be integrated with NIC’s Learning Center.

5.     Question: Is there an existing learning portal where the training will be hosted?

          ·         Answer: Yes, the existing portal is the NIC Learning Center.

6.     Question: Who will host and maintain the e-learning modules?

          ·         Answer: NIC has the capability to do this. We hope to be collaborative in the design and development of this piece of the curriculum.

7.     Question: The funding amount was not mentioned, but it would be helpful in determining the level of WBT we can develop.

          ·         Answer:  We are looking for the most creative proposals with a reasonable budget. Your proposal should include a suggested funding amount. Also, know that NIC would help develop the e-learning component, so that would defray direct costs to you. Regarding synchronous online learning, we can support that if you can develop it.

8.     Question: Would you clarify the cooperative relationship for this procurement? What is the agency's role and what kind of support will they provide?

           ·         Answer: The level of collaboration with the awardee is negotiable and dependent on the scope of work as outline in the proposal.

9.     Question: Is it to redo the lesson plans or is it to redo the lesson plans and also to formalize the advanced practicum?  Seems like the scope of work is significantly different between the two. Or is it something between the two?

           ·         Answer: This cooperative agreement is to update/rewrite the Training for Facilitators curriculum, incorporating version 3.1 and converting the training to a blended delivery format. We want to get away from 4 days of face-to-face time.
As for the Advanced Practicum (we're going to change the name to Training for Trainers), that will be the phase after this one, but it is not part of this cooperative agreement.

10.  Question: My Director is interested in applying for the NIC Cooperative Agreement - Curriculum Development: Thinking for a Change 3.1: Training for Facilitators, but we notice there is no funding amount mentioned.  Can you provide a ballpark figure that might be entertained?

             ·         Answer: We are looking for the most creative proposals with a reasonable budget. Your proposal should include a suggested funding amount for the scope of work proposed.

11.  Question: Ability to get an extension for submitting a proposal?

             ·         Answer: No, extensions are not allowed for this cooperative agreement opportunity.

12.  Question:  In regards to the facilitation training for the above opportunity. Is it your understanding that there will be 1 session (approx 25 modules) for up to 25 people (which you have identified) during (approximately - TBD) a 5 day period?

             ·         Answer:  NIC is requesting a blended delivery, so a training of a single session would not be appropriate. You will also find that the T4C curriculum has just 3 basic components that need to be taught, so you will not necessarily have to teach all 25 lessons to the group.

             ·         Follow up question: When you say blended delivery, are you meaning classroom/Web
instruction with an instructor and e-learning modules?

             ·         Answer: We are looking to limit the amount of face-to-face time by introducing distance learning techniques, such as Web-based learning or e-courses. Face-to-face delivery should be reserved for skill-building and practice, and the delivery modality should be based upon learning objectives.

13.  Question:  I was also wondering how payment will be disbursed for travel, accommodations, per diem, training days, e-learning (analysis, design, develop[ment], implementation and evaluation) and Web collaboration.

              ·         Answer: Payment on our cooperative agreements is generally disbursed quarterly, with the awardee submitting a quarterly report and request for remuneration.

14.  Question: Where will the train-the-trainer sessions be located?

              ·         Answer: NIC recommends that the face-to-face portion be held at its facility in Aurora, CO.

15.  Question: When will the train-the-trainer sessions take place?

               ·         Answer: This is for the awardee to propose.

16.  Question: Are we able to get copies of the following courses (to include all related documents) so that we can make a fair assessment of the time and kind of work involved? Thinking for a Change (original version); Thinking for a Change, version 3.1;
Thinking for a Change Training for Facilitators (earlier version) the recently revised T4C 3.1 Thinking for a Change Training

               ·         Answer: Here is the link to T4C 3.1: http://nicic.gov/Library/025057
You may request the other documents through our Information Center at http://info.nicic.gov/Customer/Ask.aspx#

17.  Question: What is the timeline for the creation, development and delivery of this project?

               ·         Answer: All materials are due to NIC by September 30, 2012.

18.  Question: When do you foresee the starting date for the contractor?

               ·         Answer: It is hoped that the contract starting date will be on or before March 1, 2012.

19.  Question:  How much live Web-based training environment or supplemental online training courses is required? Please be as specific as possible.

               ·         Answer:  The cooperative agreement awardee may offer suggested training locations, platforms, and session numbers in the final proposal. NIC would like to maximize distance learning wherever the learning objectives can be achieved through this means.

20.  Question:  [Are] the train-the-trainer sessions to be delivered at multiple locations? If so how much travel [do] you foresee for the contractor?

                ·         Answer: The awardee proposal should address expected locations and travel requirements for sessions and meetings related to the RFP. However, NIC does recommend as little travel as possible to keep costs down.

On January 31, the Bureau of Justice Assistance's National Training and Technical Assistance Center (NTTAC) and the Department of Justice's Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships will be holding a free webinar on faith-based approaches to offender reentry.

From BJA’s announcement:

This webinar is intended to increase participants’ knowledge of faith-based approaches to reentry with an emphasis on how to become directly involved in and partner with community-based, social service, and government agencies to build a collaborative and sustainable reentry effort. Faith-based organizations will learn (1) specific ways to support current reentry efforts using existing assets and resources, (2) about the specific needs of formerly incarcerated persons and their families and how to address those needs, and (3) about the impact that reentry and those returning from incarceration have on their specific communities. Presenters will highlights best practice approaches to providing mentoring services and building networks of support for formerly incarcerated people.

Le'Ann Duran, Program Director for Corrections at the Council of State Governments Justice Center, will moderate the webinar. Panelists include Harold Dean Trulear, Director of the Healing Communities Prison Ministry and the Prisoner Reentry Project of the Philadelphia Leadership Foundation, and Joseph Williams, Founder and President of the Christian Association for Prison Aftercare (CAPA).

Date: Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm EST
Cost: Free

To register for this webinar, click here.

For additional resources see NIC’s Faith-Based and Community Initiatives in Corrections.

The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) is seeking applications for the revision of its Jail Resource Management training program. The project will be for a 9-month period and will be carried out in conjunction with the NIC Jails Division. The awardee will work closely with NIC staff on all aspects of the project. To be considered, applicants must demonstrate, at a minimum, in-depth knowledge of:

• the purpose, functions, and operational complexities of local jails,
• budget issues common in jails,
• analysis of jail resource needs,
• development and presentation of a budget request to appropriate governing bodies,
• budget management, and
• the resource constraints faced by many local governments and their jails.

Also, the applicant must demonstrate expertise and experience in developing curricula based on adult learning principles, specifically the Instructional Theory into Practice (ITIP) model.

DATE: Applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. (EDT) on Thursday, February 09, 2012.

• Download the Full Solicitation
• Current “Jail Resource Management” training program

The National Institute of Corrections needs your assistance . Please complete the survey in the link below to assist us in gathering information to support jurisdictions working with justice involved women (defined as women in a pre-trial status, in jail, prison or supervised in the community).  The goal of the survey is to identify and inform development of gender responsive policies for women involved with the criminal justice system. One of the most common requests for technical assistance relates to gender responsive policy development.  Findings from this survey will be used to inform the development of a policy bulletin on gender responsive policies.  If you are not working with women directly but know of a colleague who is, please share this message with them.

Contingent upon responses and with your permission, we may select sample polices from various jurisdictions to present to other stakeholders as exemplars. Please be assured that providing your contact information is optional and is for follow up purposes only.  It will not be shared with anyone outside of the research team.

If you have any questions about this project, please direct them to Erica King at ericahking@gmail.com. Thank you.

Take survey here