Facilities (General Capacity/Security)

This will be the ninth FTP training audit following the May 2018 auditor training. Auditor candidates in that training will be required to complete the FTP process as a condition of certification.

The Urban Institute serves as the main point of contact for the Justice Reinvestment Initiative for potential sites. In that role, Urban monitors a JRI email address, through which it fields questions from potential JRI sites. Interested groups may also reach out via phone. Urban also responds to media inquiries and general questions from academics and practitioners about JRI.

Steering committee members met to discuss the context of recidivism strategies, measuring the impact of JRI reforms on public safety, applying lessons learned to new and existing JRI states, law enforcement engagement, and a state request from Louisiana (Phase II). Sheriff Boyd and Thom joined the law enforcement discussion.

Steering committee members participated in a call to discuss a deeper dive into Phase I and II states, a request from Rhode Island (Phase II), and partner updates, including policy assessments, publications, and events.

Steering committee members participated in a call to discuss requests from Montana (Phase II), Ohio (Phase I), and Kentucky (Phase I).

In November, Vera had a check-in call with VADOC's Tori Raiford in preparation for follow-up on-site meeting with VADOC leadership scheduled for November 16th. The goal of the November meeting is: 1) to hear how VADOC is progressing with their reforms to date, and 2) to have VADOC leadership identify which of our VA team's recommendations they are ready to start implementing, versus those recommendations that may require additional information and/or discussion.

In November, Vera coordinated emails regarding a future visit to present findings and recommendations and coordinated emails outlining Vera's TA process and needs for presenting findings and recommendations. Additionally, there was an email discussion regarding the potential move of 200 men out of state from Nevada to Arizona into a private prison facility. Vera had a call with CO Duran to check in on reforms in NV and coordination with Vera and before the end of the month, there was confirmation for January visit for findings and recommendations.

In November, the team emailed to MNDOC to share a system map analysis of pathways into segregation. There was a conference call to review analysis and plan for future meetings with step down coordinator and an email exchange regarding MNDOC support needed from Ohio DOC Director Gary Mohr. The team learned about the MN step down program successes and challenges, and provided MN DOC staff with further review of reform efforts.

The Vera team worked diligently on drafting their findings and recommendations for the LADOC in November. The team finished analyzing the DOC’s policies and data and is now preparing for the presentation of recommendations in February. The team also set up a call with MASS Design Group, an architecture firm, for 12/1/17 to discuss repurposing Camp J (the restricted housing facility at Louisiana State Penitentiary). Lastly, the team is planning an upcoming meeting with Andrea Armstrong from Loyola Law School to discuss oversight mechanisms.

In October while the Louisiana team continued with the data and policy analyses, Senior Program Associate David Cloud and Project Director Sara Sullivan held a call with Louisiana DOC (LADOC) site partner Seth Smith and Secretary James Le Blanc to discuss the agency’s intentions to close Angola’s Camp J restricted housing unit as well as to invite the LADOC to apply for a new grant from Vera’s Center on Youth Justice that would offer technical assistance to convert space into a young adult facility.