Today's Jails

Register Now for the Offender Reentry in Indian Country & Native Communities Webinar

Sommer Browning — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:57:00 GMT

Did you know nearly 40 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives incarcerated on any given day are in jails operated by tribes or other local jurisdictions? This statistic makes tribal reentry strategies of the utmost importance when considering the transition from jail to community. In order to address the unique challenges and opportunities justice-involved members of tribal communities face, BJA, in partnership with NIC, has created an eight part series of webinars addressing these issues.

This Tuesday, August 23^rd, the fifth part of the webinar will air:

Offender Reentry in Indian Country & Native Communities:Transition from Jail to the Community

NIC’s own Correctional Program Specialist, Jim Barbee, will moderate a three person panel that includes:

Jesse Jannetta, Transition from Jail to Community Initiative Project Director, Urban Institute
Kevin Warwick, President, Alternative Solutions Associates
Janeen Buck-Willison, Transition from Jail to Community Initiative Evaluation Director, Urban Institute

The presenters will discuss the Transition from Jail to Community (TJC) Initiative and how TJC can be used by tribes that operate jail facilities and tribes seeking to improve reentry for members in jails outside of tribal jurisdiction. The webinar will also focus on resources available to tribal leaders who work in these areas.

The series is centered around Strategies for Creating Offender Reentry Programs in Indian Country, a publication recently released by the Department of Justice. Click here to download a copy of this publication.

Date: Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Time: 3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
To register: Click here

Call 202-514-0100 or email jbarbee@bop.gov to contact Jim Barbee.

NIC Jails Division participates in recent National Sheriffs' Association annual conference

Tom Reid — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:28:00 GMT

The NIC Jails Division, with support from the NIC Information Center, recently provided resources at the National Sheriff's' Association (NSA) annual conference in St. Louis, MO. Visitors at the NIC booth were given a comprehensive CD containing current NIC jail-relevant documents, as well as information concerning NIC's programs and services. Jails Division staff attended several NSA committee meetings, and met with individual sheriffs concerning their jail needs and issues. Of particular interest to sheriffs was information about the National Sheriffs' Institute, which is a leadership program for new sheriffs jointly provided by NIC and NSA. During the conference, NIC conducted a workshop specifically for graduates of the National Sheriffs' Institute to further enhance their leadership skills.

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Jim Barbee explains critical elements of the NIC "Transition from Jail to Community" (TJC) initiative to NSA conference participant.

For additional information about TJC, go to: http://nicic.gov/JailTransition

Followup Jail Suicide Study

Andrea Lemieux — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:20:00 GMT

NIC recently published, National Study of Jail Suicide: 20 Years Later (April 2010). The study revisits a survey that was conducted by the National Center on Institutions and Alternatives (NCIA), an NIC sponsored study, in the mid-1980s. The current report finds that the characteristics and demographic data surrounding inmate suicide have changed dramatically since the original study. The number of suicide deaths has also declined (854 deaths between 1985-1996 and 696 between 2005-2006). However, today's jails still face a 3 times greater rate of suicide than the general public, making suicide a leading cause of inmate deaths.

More resources that address jail suicide are available through the NIC Information Center's online library:

You can also order the video, Jail Suicide Prevention: What's Your Role?, from the Information Center Help Desk.

The National Center on Institutions and Alternatives (NCIA) also has other publications on jail suicide available on their website.

Copies of NIC's Jail Emergencies Guide Now Available

llinke — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 21:47:00 GMT

A Guide to Preparing for and Responding to Jail Emergencies is now available in online digital and printed formats. The document provides self-audit checklists, resource materials, and case studies for jail emergency preparedness. Click here to view or download the digital file. Link here to order a printed copy to order a copy from the NIC Information Center. NOTE: Limit of one printed copy per faciilty.

Vera Seeks Two Partners for Jail Reentry Project

llinke — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:48:00 GMT

Through support from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Vera Institute of Justice will be offering training and technical assistance to two jail facilities and their community-based organizations to implement a family-focused reentry project. Vera's Family Justice Program will 1) train jail staff on use of the Bodega Model, 2) evaluate integration of project methods and tools into staff practice, and 3) provide technical assistance to ensure sustainability. Interested agencies need to fill out a brief questionnaire (see attachment) by January 15, 2010 to apply for participation.

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.