Other Corrections

During this reporting period, there has been improved communications between the funder and the sites in-between calls. The DOC has gone in person multiple times to work with the funder on reporting requirements. There have been reasons why DYA has not done this, and DYA continues to submit insufficient information for reporting purposes. The funder has said for a couple of months that they intend to speak with the Director of DYA about the challenges, but this has not happened for a number of reasons.

The Jails and Justice Support Center (JJSC) assists jails in creating and sustaining safe, humane, and effective environments for their populations, including incarcerated individuals, staff, and visitors. The JJSC engages directly with jurisdictions in the delivery of training and technical assistance on the identified core topics. In addition to providing technical assistance and resources for jails, the JJSC also serves as a hub for other federally funded programs and resources.

Advancing Data in Corrections Summer Conference (August 16th-17th, 2024) - Conference hosted by CSG Justice Center staff in Nashville, TN for corrections professionals and individuals in similar data-focused positions. The conference had participants from 45 states. 

“Transforming Corrections: How Research and Analytics Can Improve Prison Safety” webinar, the second session in the Virtual Academy webinar series, which featured a presentation by Sarah Fineran (Research Director, Iowa Department of Corrections) and Dwain Caldwell (Chief Data Officer, Iowa Department of Corrections) and was attended by 118 corrections analysts, research directors, and other interested people. (118 participants representing 33 agencies)

Seminar series hosted by CSG Justice Center staff on workforce operations and overtime analysis at the Washington, DC DOC. The seminar series was held on September 18, 2024. The Seminar Series was approved by BJA on September 10, 2024

"• 11/12: In-person meeting with United States Attorney, Southern District of West Virginia: Staff met with Will Thompson (US Attorney) to share more about the WV project and to learn about drug and treatment courts. (1 participant, 1 agency)"

Provide the PREA Coordinator and team an overview of the standards, resources, information on the role of the PREA Coordinator, and how to prepare for an audit. The TA will also include coaching and strategies to implement their PREA policy.

The Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking (ICESAHT) has requested a 90-minute PREA 101 advocacy training on May 21, 2024. The session will provide an overview of corrections and PREA, with a focus on the role of advocates in providing support to incarcerated survivors. Terri Noone from the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence will explain the process for handling calls from Indiana state prisons. JDI will also provide ICESAHT with up to three (3) one-hour coaching sessions as they refine how they want to work with member agencies.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has recently implemented the requirements of Senate Bill 182 known as The Transgender Respect, Agency, and Dignity Act. The reality of this bill’s implementation has resulted in the need for cultural awareness training and education for CDCR staff and both cis- and transgender people in CDCR custody. CDCR PREA Coordinator, Captain Shannon Stark, requested technical assistance (TA) from the National PREA Resource Center (PRC) to develop educational videos.

A staff attorney at the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault is working with an advocate who is trying to assist an inmate with PREA-related issues. IowaCASA has requested four (4) coaching sessions to help their legal team and others who support member agencies with advocacy of incarcerated survivors. More specifically, the coaching will focus on requests made by incarcerated survivors and appropriate advocacy services. IowaCASA is sending a survey to member organizations to learn their specific needs, including how to support incarcerated survivors.