Prison Gangs

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.

Vera conducted phone calls with site coordinator Joe Etter to discuss implementation challenges and strategies for resolving challenges, progress updates, and priority areas for implementation.

Vera went on the first site visit to meet with Minnesota DOC (MDOC) leadership and tour two facilities (Oak Park Heights and Stillwater). The purpose of the site visit was to learn about the use of segregation in MDOC facilities, current reform efforts in MN, challenges and opportunities to reforming segregation, and meet the members of the Restrictive Housing Reduction and Reform Committee.

In May, Vera conducted the first implementation site visit with North Carolina DPS. Vera had meetings with DPS leadership at headquarters in Raleigh, visited Central Prison (in particular to see and speak with staff about the Therapeutic Diversion Unit there), visited Marion Correctional Institution (in particular to see and speak with staff about the Rehabilitative Diversion Unit program there), and visited Foothills Correctional Institution (in particular to see and speak with staff about the Youthful Offender Program).

Vera provided TTA to the Louisiana DOC (LADOC) in the following ways:

Vera provided TTA to the Minnesota DOC (MDOC) in the following ways:

Vera provided implementation TTA to the North Carolina DOC (NCDPS) in the following ways: