Inmate Assistance Programs

To provide an opportunity for SCA grantees to gain a better understanding of inter-agency or inter-system collaboration that can affect systems change in reentry. This informal conversation will allow participants to hear from a panel of fellow SCA grantees as it relates to collaborating in a coordinated manner within and across agencies and systems to reduce duplication of effort, streamline services, ensure easy access, and ultimately improve the broad spectrum of Reentry services being provided.

Despite the ongoing pandemic, WVDCR was able to make significant progress on their time task. During this reporting period, the grantee distributed and collected surveys for all of the pilot sites, reviewed and updated their PREA policy - an ongoing project, and provided all pilot sites with access to the data reporting system. Additionally, the grantee reviewed and updated the coordinated response protocol.

King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) continues to be on track for successful completion. During the October to December reporting period, DAJD has had steady contact with the JDI coaches. Due to changing needs in staffing due to COVID, DAJD has decided to redirect some grant funding to innovative training for their staff. DAJD has begun developing a training plan that involves small lessons designed to keep information regarding sexual safety fresh for the staff and their resident population, with a focus on identifying red flags and reporting.

Pamphlets were going to be ACAR produced in October 2020. The TMG TA Coach offered to review them, provide TA, and help if needed. The TMG Coach and PREA staff continue to have monthly check in calls to troubleshoot new and emergent issues and work towards full implementation of the goals.? Alabama PREA audits previously scheduled for fall were moved to January and February 2021 because of COVID. Those may have to be rescheduled but the agency does plan on going forward. They planned to conduct some interviews via Zoom.

Montgomery County is using the $20,000 they received, (along with their matching $30,000), to create an electronic reporting system, adding to a system they already managed. The selected vendor built this from scratch, allowing information to be entered into a desktop or laptop where PREA complaints can be filed electronically, closed upon investigation completion.? It also contains a front-end audit feature. Montgomery County created the programs and finished the testing phase.

EBCI continues to struggle with implementation. Their facility head has been out on medical leave since July. The reservation continues to be hard hit by COVID. Non-essential staff, including human resources, are working from home. Unfortunately, they do not have full access to work systems and processes, further hampering efficiencies.

Early in this reporting period, the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) made some progress on their implementation guide, but was faced with additional setbacks as the ongoing COVID pandemic continued to create challenges for the agency. In October the site leads and JDI coaches had a productive meeting with a mental health consultant to discuss the project goals centered around Woodland Correctional Facility and the development of a PREA model for working with inmates with mental illness.

The JDI coaches assisted the grantee in coordinating with internal and external stakeholders, providing sample documents, and resources from program development. SCDC continued to work collaboratively with the JDI coaches and actively sought out suggestions and feedback. Given the number and complexity of the deliverables, a secondary task force was created specifically to oversee the development of the peer support program. The task force includes mental health staff, program staff, and victim advocates.

TMG coaches conducted a follow-up discussion to their October meeting, and provided a written confirmation of what TMG was permitted to do based on the new interpretation of the grant. NYC staff were glad to receive this information.

NJDOC has monthly calls with their coach to check the progress of the PREA video production. Although there are COVID related delays, NJDOC feels confident that they will be able to meet the goals of the grant. TMG coaches received an update on current activities via teleconference. The first draft of their PREA video was completed in October. TMG coaches reviewed the final draft of the PREA video that is being completed by Garrett Hubbard and shared feedback with NJDOC?'s PREA Unit Brielle Easton and James Haas.?