Young Adults (18 - 24)

CSG Justice Center staff met with grantee at the Smart Suite Academy to discussion progress on their P&I Guide

CSG Justice Center staff met with grantee at the Smart Suite Academy to discussion progress on their P&I Guide

Vera provided the Nevada DOC with TA in the following ways:
7/11/17: Vera reviewed SB 402 that was signed into law in Nevada, which limits the use of segregation for persons who are SMI. Vera proposed second site visit dates.
7/24/17: Vera prepared for the upcoming site visit at NDOC. Vera reviewed plans, goals, and information needs for a successful site visit with NDOC leadership.

Vera provided the Minnesota DOC with TA in the following ways:
7/14/17: Vera reviewed policies and practices pertaining to use of segregation in the MCF Shakopee women's prison with Warden Beltz and Mary McComb. Vera discussed difficulties related to only one women's facility in all of MDOC.
7/18/17: Vera reviewed and made suggestions/recommendations to step-down policy proposed by MDOC for persons leaving restrictive housing units.

Vera provided TA to Virginia’s DOC via July's SAS Initiative Advisory Council and All-Sites Meeting which was a 2-day gathering of each of the State DOC Administrators/Site Coordinators currently involved in the Initiative. The meeting provided sites the opportunity to share information on their system-wide progress to date, successes achieved, and challenges faced, along with successful strategies for sustainability and maintaining ongoing support for reform efforts.

Vera provided TA to Utah DOC via July's SAS Initiative Advisory Council and All-Sites Meeting which was a 2-day gathering of each of the State DOC Administrators/Site Coordinators currently involved in the Initiative. The meeting provided sites the opportunity to share information on their system-wide progress to date, successes achieved, and challenges faced, along with successful strategies for sustainability and maintaining ongoing support for reform efforts.

Vera had a meeting via phone on July 7th to discuss NCDPS's planned rollout of their revised disciplinary policy (which will go into effect on July 17th) and staff trainings that were taking place; to get updates on the progress of the Rehabilitative Diversion Units and the Therapeutic Diversion Units; and to discuss short- and long-term priorities and strategies for reform. Two DPS representatives (Director Kenneth Lassiter and Karen Pardue) attended the SAS Initiative Advisory Council and All-Sites Meeting in Washington, DC on July 18-19.

Vera worked with the DOC site coordinator to prepare for the Advisory Council Meeting of the Safe Alternatives to Segregation Initiative. During the days of the meeting, Vera had several conversations with the site coordinator to troubleshoot challenges in Oregon, discuss strategies for moving forward, and field specific questions related to culture change.

The entire Vera/Louisiana team had their second site visit with LADOC. We had a facility meeting and tour at David Wade Correctional Center (DWCC) one day and returned another day to conduct focus groups. Then we held focus groups in the other two facilities (Elayne Hunt Correctional Center and Louisiana State Penitentiary). All focus groups were with incarcerated people, mental health staff, line staff, and unit managers. The information gleaned from this trip will be included in the first interim report and will inform the team's final recommendations to LADOC.

The entire Vera/Louisiana team had their second site visit with LADOC. We had a facility meeting and tour at David Wade Correctional Center (DWCC) one day and returned another day to conduct focus groups. Then we held focus groups in the other two facilities (Elayne Hunt Correctional Center and Louisiana State Penitentiary). All focus groups were with incarcerated people, mental health staff, line staff, and unit managers. The information gleaned from this trip will be included in the first interim report and will inform the team's final recommendations to LADOC.