NIC News & Updates : Jails

Mass Institutional Evacuation: It’s not Just a Drill Anymore

Tom Reid — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 18:20:00 GMT

Is your facility near a major highway? Near train tracks? In the flight path of an airport? Tornado alley? Flood zone? Hurricanes? Bomb/WMD threat? What about simply being located near timberland? In the case of the Colorado Department of Corrections, a mass evacuation of inmates was not just a theory anymore. As the “Royal Gorge” fire raged near Canon City, The Colorado Department of Corrections needed to evacuate over 900 inmates from a prison facility to other DOC facilities in the state. This included moving prisoners from the infirmary and some in wheelchairs.

So it can happen. And it can happen at your facility. Are you prepared? The key is to have a current mass evacuation plan that is not just a paper product but an active part of your emergency plan that has been tried, tested, and tweaked through periodic evacuation drills.

Since there is no such thing as a “normal” emergency, and the circumstances necessitating mass evacuation are not totally predictable, there probably should not be a “normal” mass evacuation drill. Develop a written drill scenario, fairly normal for the first few drills to test the logistics and relationships, and then start to add to the scenario problems and unexpected events that need to be overcome. If you really want to know if you can safely and securely move inmates, you need to practice actually moving real inmates. If that keeps you awake at night, then use staff or volunteers but remember, you might learn more by moving inmates than just simulating it with volunteers. When possible, videotape the drills.

Always conduct formal drill de-briefings with a written product which not only documents the drill but also captures lessons learned, changes required, and new behaviors needed.

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NIC Resources:

A Guide to Preparing for and Responding to Jail Emergencies: Self-Audit Checklists, Resource Materials, Case Studies

A Guide to Preparing for and Responding to Prison Emergencies: Self-Audit Checklists, National Survey Results, Resource Materials, [and] Case Studies

Weapons of Mass Destruction: Homeland Security Initiative: Jail Evacuation Planning and Implementation

Cooperative Agreement – Curriculum Development: Planning and Implementing Effective Mental Health Services in Jails

Susan Powell — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 17:11:00 GMT

The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) is soliciting proposals from organizations, groups, or individuals to enter into a cooperative agreement for an 18-month period to begin no later than September 15, 2013. Work under this cooperative agreement will involve developing curriculum, based on the Instructional Theory Into Practice (ITIP) model, to train participants in the purpose, functions, and operational complexities surrounding the housing and treatment issues of inmates exhibiting signs and symptoms of mental illness. The awardee will produce a program description (overview), detailed narrative lesson plans, a participant manual that follows the lesson plans, and presentation slides for each lesson plan. A qualified awardee will have expertise in developing effective mental health treatment inside of jails and extensive experience in working with local jails on issues related to inmate mental health treatment. This project will be a collaborative venture with the NIC Jails Division.

DEADLINE: Applications must be received before midnight (ET) on Wednesday, July 3, 2013.

Updated: Cooperative Agreement – IBM Instructional Guide and Assessment Tool Development

Susan Powell — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 16:25:00 GMT

Updated 6/11: (See questions and answers below)

The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) is soliciting proposals from organizations, groups, or individuals to enter into a cooperative agreement for a 12-month period to begin no later than September 15, 2013. Work under this cooperative agreement will involve the development of an instructional guide and assessment tool(s) that will help jail practitioners improve their assessment of inmate needs and management of inmate behavior. Needs are defined as the physical or psychological requirement for well-being. Inmates have a variety of needs that should be identified and managed during their stay in jail. This project will be a collaborative venture with the NIC Jails Division.

DEADLINE: Applications must be received before midnight (ET) on Wednesday, July 3, 2013.

Questions and Answers:

Question: Does the tool need to be validated?

Answer: This cooperative agreement does not require a validation for the tool(s) that are developed. It does call for a pilot test to see if the tool(s) are easy to use and provide agencies with the information they need to better manage their inmate population.

Question: What is the anticipated/estimated project start date for the "IBM Instructional Guide & Assessment Tool Development" project? The announcement states the project should begin no later than September 15, 2013, but what is the earliest date the project can be started?

Answer: Once the proposals are received and evaluated a start date will be provided. The time that process takes varies, however the September 15th date is the latest we expect the project to begin.

Developing a Security Audit System: You Get What You Inspect

Tom Reid — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 15:03:00 GMT

The problem is that you are in your facility every day. Things you see on a daily basis look normal to you. The key to enhancing institutional security is to develop a system of internal security auditing that allows you to see the operations and facility through new eyes. The NIC Prisons Division’s “Conducting Security Audits” training program, one of several security-related resources offered, can do that for you. The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) can help!

NIC’s Conducting Security Audits: A Solution to Consider

Wayne Hill, NIC Prison’s Division Correctional Program Specialist, says “the security audit training gives agencies the ability to re-invent themselves. It lets them take a new look at things.”

Conducting Security Audits, a 4 1/2 day program, is truly hands-on training. There is only one day of formal classroom instruction. After that, participants, working in 3 teams assisted by one of the instructors, actually conduct a security audit using the guidelines provided. The training is hosted by a correctional agency that makes one or more of its institutions available for the security audit practicum.

“It’s a win-win situation” says Hill. “Everyone gets training and information: both the host and the participants. The participants gain auditing skills while the host agency gets a very thorough set of findings about its security program. It is truly a learning and sharing environment. As a bonus, the host agency also ends up having staff trained in security auditing. Like I say, it’s a win-win!”

Why Security Auditing

Most institutions are designed and built to be secure, but strong physical security structures do not necessarily make a safe and secure operation. Serious security breaches occur because staff take shortcuts, are confused over expectations, or simply don’t follow established procedures. In other words, it’s not a physical plant/structural failure as much as a “people/performance” failure. A security audit system is simply a process for communicating to the administration and staff the level to which policy, procedure, standards, practices, and training are being combined and implemented on a daily basis to provide for a safe and secure environment. Of course, along the way, physical plant, security technology, and hardware issues are also identified.

The Security Audit: Watching for Slippage, Cracks, and Vulnerabilities

Basically effective security auditing means looking for weaknesses, deficiencies, and vulnerabilities in the security operation in a formal and consistent manner. This includes assessing compliance with agency standards, policies, and procedures as well as the effectiveness of physical equipment and human behavior. Security audits don’t just happen, they are planned, organized, and implemented in a conscious effort to obtain relevant information about security. In essence, a well planned and implemented security audit system can be described as risk management for the administration, staff, inmates, and the community. The security audit needs to be based on a formal set of security standards/guidelines. Successful implementation requires administrative support, explicit policy and procedure defining, describing and requiring the audit system, and comprehensive training for the auditing staff.

The NIC Prisons Division Can Help

“Conducting Security Audits” is offered several times a year by NIC. The next two offerings are March and June 2013. While originally targeted for prisons, it has recently been expanded to include large jail systems as well. Agencies send teams of three for this week-long program. For additional information, contact Wayne Hill, NIC Correctional Program Specialist and view the NIC website.

Some Resources To Get You Started

As you explore the possibility of participating in NIC’s “Conducting Security Audits”, don’t wait to start enhancing the safety and security of your facility. Take a look at these resources and initiate or update an internal security audit program. Develop a team and assess your current practices. Next design a comprehensive audit instrument, field test it, and train a corps of security auditors for your agency. The first step, of course, will be to obtain full support from the administration, and make sure you implement a formal system for follow up action for any deficiencies identified through the audits.

National Institute of Corrections:

American Correctional Association:

Guidelines for the Development of a Security Program, 3rd Edition

Virginia Department of Corrections:

Super Max Best Practices

Corrections Vulnerability Assessment (CVA) Resources:

Other:

How mental health program efforts converts to $$$ saved

Michael Dooley — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 16:18:00 GMT

Reported by Scott Weygandt, NIC

Last month, the 18th Judicial District's Mental Health Court celebrated its first anniversary, trumpeting tens of thousands of dollars in savings to taxpayers.

The program, a collaboration between the staffs at Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network and the 18th Judicial District, diverts the mentally ill away from prison. The goal, those behind it say, is to shut the revolving door that moves the mentally ill in and out of jail or prison but rarely addresses the disease at the root of their crimes.

But when expenses are totaled, the program is a money- saver compared with the $20,000 a year it costs to keep someone in prison, Becker said. In Arapahoe County Jail, the basic cost is about $83 a day.

"Even with startup costs, we've been able to save the county jail close to $200,000 and (the state) $400,000," Becker said.

Special NOTE: This is the same program NIC uses to assist with its CIT training program.

Build Your Agency's Senior Level Leader Cadre Through NIC's Blended Correctional Leadership Development (CLD)!

Leslie LeMaster — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 21:40:00 GMT

Looking to build your cadre of Senior Level Leaders as you face succession planning challenges? The check out NIC's Blended Correctional Leadership Development (CLD) series!

What is blended CLD? It's a "blend" of training and development strategies (face to face sessions, distance work via the web, e-course work, Virtual Instructor Led (VILT) sessions, one on one coaching and more!) that takes place over a year. It's targeted to develop correction's agencies senior level leaders, while also working on real agency issues at the same time!

Check out the series web page at this link http://nicic.gov/Training/CLDFY11

Want to Develop Your Middle Managers? Check out NIC's MDF Series!

Leslie LeMaster — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:29:00 GMT

What is MDF?

MDF is NIC's Management Development for the Future series, a dynamic, agency exclusive, individual and organizational development experience, which primarily targets the middle management tier of a correctional organization. It simultaneously engages all levels of agency leadership through internal action-based learning strategies at the individual, team and agency levels.

Description

This agency exclusive management development series is conducted over 12 months and is provided to participants within selected agencies. The learning strategies used in this "blended" individual and organizational development series include three 24-hour classroom sessions spread out over the series, independent e-Learning courses, online instructor-led sessions, online 360-degree feedback leadership assessments, reading, participation in online community forums and discussions, individual coaching sessions, and the development of personal leadership development plans. Participants will prepare a dynamic Leadership Plan and undertake action-based learning projects focused on the relevant issues in their agencies with the intention of applying skills and strategies learned in the program to build organizational capacity and manage organizational change.

Application Requirements

Agencies interested in this program must submit Form B, available at this link http://nicic.org/Downloads/ProgramForms/Form%20B.pdf and attach a letter of interest describing their organization's need and commitment to participate in this skills-based series, which totals approximately 120 hours over a 12 month period. Final selection and scheduling of the MDF series is contingent on the organization's commitment and preparedness to support the program actively and sponsor participants in their learning prior to and throughout the series. A comprehensive readiness assessment process and interview(s) with the executive level of the agency applying will be conducted prior to NIC's commitment to the program.

Note: This application process is for agencies only. A correctional agency from jails, prisons, or community corrections must apply and be selected for this management development series. Once an agency is selected, individual application and selection will be conducted through the agency.

Note: NIC does not pay any participant expenses related to attendance or participation in the MDF Series. For more information on the MDF series or the application process, please contact one of the correctional program specialists listed under "Contacts."

Contacts

John Eggers, Ph.D., Academy Division; toll-free telephone: 800-995-6429, ext. 6615, or 303-338-6615; e-mail: jeggers@bop.gov.
Richard Geaither, Academy Division; toll-free telephone: 800-995-6429, ext. 6616, or 303-338-6616; e-mail: rgeaither@bop.gov.
Amanda Hall, Academy Dividion; toll-free telephone: 800-995-6429, ext. 6623, or 303-338-6623; e-mail: a4hall@bop.gov.
Leslie LeMaster, Academy Division; toll-free telephone: 800-995-6429, ext. 6620, or 303-338-6620; e-mail: llemaster@bop.gov.

Agency Applications Due: We continuously accept interest inquiries from agencies related to the MDF series.

*When an agency is selected, training dates will be negotiated between the assigned NIC Correctional Program Specialist and the requesting agency.