Today's Jails

Conducted Energy Devices: Use in a Custodial Setting

Sandy Schilling — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:20:00 GMT

The report, Conducted Energy Devices: Use in a Custodial Setting, is a collaborative study by the Police Executive Research Forum, National Sheriffs' Association, and the Bureau of Justice Assistance. As part of this paper, the National Sheriffs' Association has included a "Recommended General Order for Use of Conducted Energy Devices" that consists of the purpose, policy, definitions, and procedures involving the CEDs.

Hot Flash

Sandy Schilling — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:38:00 GMT

Hillsborough County, Florida, minimum security inmates have been making and selling hot sauce for a few years now. At seven dollars a bottle this program has generated money for the upkeep of their greenhouse and supplies for the horticulture program. They make several flavors and while "Smoke" is very popular, the brave will try "Escape" which is the hottest they bottle. You can read more and listen to the story on National Public Radio (NPR). Is your mouth watering? You don't need to miss out! Check out the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Inmate Programs website.

Staggering Jail Costs

Sandy Schilling — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:12:00 GMT

An article in Forbes, America's Jail Crisis, uses Harris County Jail statistics and costs to highlight the budget problems facing many of our counties. According to this article, the National Association of Counties is trying to encourage communities to put additional resources into pretrial services in the hope of keeping inmates out of the much more expensive jails.

National Jail Leadership Command Academy

Sandy Schilling — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:55:00 GMT

The American Jail Association (AJA) is accepting applications for the second class of the National Jail Leadership Command Academy (NJLCA). The class is scheduled for October 25-30, 2009 at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. Mid-level managers are the target audience for this class. The curriculum topics include:

Best Practices

Hiring and Keeping the Best

Accountability

The Critical Key to Effective Leadership

Big-Picture Thinking

Organizational Communication

Applied Ethical Leadership

Collaborative Partnerships

Finance and Budget

Essential Leadership Skills/Tools

Dealing with Organizational and Environmental Change

Read more about the NJLCA and watch the informational video.

No Losers in this Game

Sandy Schilling — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:02:00 GMT

Colorado inmates can now buy "cold-case" playing cards (at about half the price of regular playing cards). Other states including Florida, Ohio, Minnesota, Oregon and Wisconsin have been using cards of this type for a few years resulting in some cases being solved based on information received from the card players. You can read the Denver Post story and perhaps join in the card game.

California Proposed Changes in Sentencing Guidelines Will Impact Counties

Sandy Schilling — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:58:00 GMT

A proposal to change sentencing guidelines in California may help the state budget but it will shift the financial burden to the county jails. While reading this Wall Street Journal article, California Inmate Plan Draws Ire, I kept picturing the "shell game" - except in this case it's under what roof will the inmate be found. Unfortunately, no one wins this game.

The Mentally Ill in Jail: Whose Problem is it Anyway?

Sandy Schilling — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:47:00 GMT

The National Institute of Corrections will host a live three-hour satellite videoconference, The Mentally Ill in Jail: Whose Problem is it Anyway?, on July 15, 2009. See the flyer, read more, and complete the free registration. Mental health issues affect the entire community and anyone interested in this topic is welcome to participate.

Research and Statistics Now Available on the Prevalence of Mentally Ill in Our Jails

Sandy Schilling — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:56:00 GMT

The Council of State Governments Justice Center, in partnership with Policy Research Associates, has conducted a five-site study on mental illness within jails by using samples of inmates screened at booking. The results were published this week in the journal Psychiatric Services. The article, Prevalence of Serious Mental Illness Among Jail Inmates, is one that jail administrators and staff will want to review. See the FAQ's, read the press release and summary of key findings on this important research about the serious mental illness in our jail population.

Immigration Status Checks Will Become Automatic For All Jail Bookings

Sandy Schilling — Tue, 19 May 2009 17:25:00 GMT

A Washington Post article, U.S. to Expand Immigration Checks to All Local Jails, reports that the Obama Administration plans to expand on the "Secure Communities" program started with the Bush Administration. This program will identify "criminal aliens" and prioritize their apprehension and removal.

NACo Annual Conference and Exhibition

Sandy Schilling — Wed, 06 May 2009 14:20:00 GMT

This year Davidson County (Nashville, TN) will welcome the National Association of Counties (NACo) for their 2009 Annual Conference and Exhibition. It will held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center July 24-28, 2009. You can view the preliminary schedule and make plans to kick up your heals and enjoy the music.

NACo Methamphetamine Prevention Webinar

Sandy Schilling — Tue, 05 May 2009 14:35:00 GMT

The National Association of Counties (NACo) will be presenting, Addressing Methamphetamine in our Nation’s Counties, a free webinar on Thursday, May 14, 2009. An author from the RAND study, The Economic Cost of Methamphetamine Use in the United States, 2005, is scheduled as one of the speakers. Registration is required.

Swine Flu Awareness

Sandy Schilling — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:33:00 GMT

With recent confirmed cases of Swine Influenza in the United States it's time to increase awareness and ensure procedures are in place should your facility experience an exposure. The Center for Disease Control shows 20 laboratory confirmed cases in the United States at this writing. Their web page on Swine Influenza (Flu) is a good starting place with up-to-date information and resources. Another helpful site is PandemicFlu.gov.

National Sheriffs' Association 2009 Annual Conference

Sandy Schilling — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:34:00 GMT

It's not too early to start making plans to attend the NSA 69th Annual Conference and Exhibition. It will be held June 25-29 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida at the Broward County Convention Center. View the tentative schedule which includes several seminars pertaining to detention issues, such as "Detention Facilities Designed for Facility Movement Security", "Copyright Complacency in Inmate Programming", "Improve the Morale of Your Officers and Inmates", just to name a few. In conjunction with this event, NSA is partnering with the United States Marshals Service to present the 2009 National Court & Judicial Security Conference.

Interactive Panel Discussion on Jail Design

Sandy Schilling — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:05:00 GMT

An invitation has been extended for you to attend an interactive panel discussion titled "Re-Imagining Jail Design: How Can Innovation Reduce Jail Populations and Benefit Communities?". One of the panelists will be Mike Jackson, Correctional Programs Specialist, from the National Institute of Corrections. Read more about this event sponsored by the Vera Institute, AJA, and the National Association of Counties.

National Correctional Officers Week

Sandy Schilling — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:02:00 GMT

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5187 creating "National Correctional Officers Week". Since then, the first full week in May is recognized as "National Correctional Officers Week" to honor the work of correctional officers nationwide. In 1996, Senate Resolution 242 designated "National Correctional Officers and Employees Week". In recent years, it has also been shortened to "National Correctional Employees Week". Regardless of the name, many federal, state and local agencies will observe this week, beginning on May 3, 2009, with ceremonies and special events to acknowledge the work done by the men and women serving the field of corrections and to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.