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Pandemic
News:
PREA UPDATE (8/27/10)
Attached is the latest report from BJS in accordance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act, Sexual Victimization in Prisons and Jails Reported by Inmates, 2008-09. If you have any questions about the data in the report, please feel free to contact either Allen Beck at allen.beck@usdoj.gov or Paige Harrison at paige.harrison@usdoj.gov. They are available to discuss results, interpretations, and questions about the report. Download the PREA report here.
Innovative Program in Maximum Security Addresses Behind-the-Walls Violence of Youthful Offenders (8/23/10)
Attached is an article written by an Adult Counselor in Rhode Island’s Maximum Security Facility about an innovative program addressing the violence behind the walls of Rhode Island’s younger offenders. The program will be featured on CBS’s Early Morning Show in the coming weeks. Download article here.
PREA Update (6/24/10)
The comments submitted by the American Bar Association to the DOJ in response to the Attorney General’s request for comments on the currently proposed PREA Standards can be downloaded here.
If you had not already received a copy of the letter signed by many of your governors regarding support for cell phone jamming legislation, you may download it here. Please share it with others so that they will better understand the seriousness of the problems caused by cell phones in the hands of inmates, and the overwhelming need for corrective legislative action.
Thanks again to all of you who have been working with your governors and others to make our case.
TDOC Releases Study On Recidivism (6/15/10)
The Tennessee Department of Correction has discovered some encouraging news in its latest study on recidivism. The report released June 15th shows that felons released from TDOC prisons are now less likely to return to custody.
The return rate for ex-felons dropped 3% in the latest survey. For 2005, the recidivism rate stood at 38.8% for offenders who had been out of prison for three years. That's compared to a 42% rate in 2001. While there is no recognized national average for recidivism, return rates range as high as 65% for individual states.
For Tennessee taxpayers, a 3% drop in return means an annual savings of $3,933,502.80 based on the $64.92 daily rate to house an inmate.
Even better news is that the TDOC is maintaining extremely low return rates for felons convicted of violent crimes such as murder, rape and assault. Three years after their release, these offenders were only 25% likely to return to prison compared to the nearly 44% return rate for those convicted of property offenses.
"While any return of such serious offenders is undesirable, the consistent ability of the TDOC to achieve these low return rates is noteworthy," said Commissioner Gayle Ray. "The lower recidivism rates show that rehabilitation efforts which include evidence-based programming are working and must continue."
Download the full report here.
BJS and the Justice Research and Statistics Association held a joint seminar on Sentencing and Corrections
The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) and the Justice Research and Statistics Association (JRSA) held a joint seminar on Sentencing and Corrections in the States on Tuesday, June 8, 2010. We have attached the PDF of the Powerpoint presentation, which is available on the JRSA website: http://www.jrsa.org/pubs/journal/index.html. Information about the special issue of the Justice Research and Policy journal is also available on that site. The speakers were: Joan C. Weiss, Executive Director, Justice Research and Statistics Association (JRSA); Richard Kern, Executive
Director of the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission; William Bales, Associate Professor in the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice
at Florida State University; James Austin, President, JFA Institute; and William Sabol, Chief of Corrections Statistics, BJS. This joint seminar presentation was based on a special issue of the JRSA's Justice Research and Policy journal, which examines sentencing and incarceration practices in five states and nationwide. Audience included OJP staff and external researchers, policy makers, and the media, with interest in corrections and sentencing. Download presentation here.
Tim Reisch Selected As 2010 Henry Toll Fellow (5/24/10)
South Dakota Corrections Secretary Tim Reisch is one of 40 emerging state leaders from across the nation selected for the prestigious Toll Fellowship Program sponsored by the Council of State Governments.
The annual week-long seminar, named in honor of Henry Toll, a Colorado senator who founded CSG in 1933, seeks to develop the next generation of leaders from all three branches of state government. This year's program, held Aug. 20-25 at Lexington, KY, focuses on trends analysis, policy development, media and constituent relations, and leadership and institutional changes. The experience gives the leaders perspectives they would not ordinarily obtain during the course of their regular government service.
Reisch was nominated by Gov. Mike Rounds, with endorsements from South Dakota Adjutant General Steven Doohen, the Governor’s Chief of Staff Neil Fulton, and state Commissioner of Finance and Management Jason Dilges. Dilges received the Toll Fellowship last year.
“Tim is a first-rate leader who knows his job and does it exceedingly well,” Gov. Rounds said. “I’m pleased that he’s been selected for this honor and the opportunity to gain additional leadership skills and knowledge.”
Reisch, a native of Howard, was selected from many outstanding applicants by a committee of elected and appointed state officials as one of the most promising leaders of state government. This year’s applicant pool included state leaders from all three branches and represented 36 states and three U.S. territories. Past Toll Fellowship graduates include governors, other state leaders, U.S. Senators and members of Congress.
Reisch, 51, has been Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Corrections since January 2003. He previously was the Miner County Sheriff for 17 years.
The Council of State Governments is the premier multibranch organization forecasting policy trends for the community of states, commonwealths and territories on a national and regional basis. CSG alerts state elected and appointed officials to emerging social, economic, and political trends; offers innovative state policy responses to rapidly changing conditions; and advocates multistate problem-solving to maximize resources and competitiveness. CSG promotes excellence in decision-making and leadership skills, and it champions state sovereignty.
For more information about the Henry Toll Fellowship Program, please contact Krista Rinehart at 859-244-8249.
PEW Prison Population Survey - March 2010
As you know some of the data that ASCA collected about your inmates on January 1, 2010, was recently published by PEW.
Below you will find links to the complete set of data provided to us by the 50 states and the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and a second set of “adjusted” data in which the Jurisdictional Total Column contains adjustments made by PEW based on communication with several Departments (to reflect a more apples-to-apples comparison with data previously reported to BJS). The cells highlighted in red in that column indicate the numbers adjusted by PEW.
We hope you will find the information helpful. If you have any questions, please get back in touch with us. Thank you again for all the help you and your staff provided.
Download ASCA Prisoner Population Survey Results here.
Download ASCA-PEW Prisoner Population Survey Responses ADJUSTED by Pew here.
CASA Report: Behind Bars II: Substance Abuse and American's Prison Population Released (2/26/10)
The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University has asked that we share the attached press release and report with you. The 144-page report, Behind Bars II: Substance Abuse and America's Prison Population, reveals that alcohol and other drugs are significant factors in all crime. This report is the first comprehensive analysis undertaken of the extent to which alcohol and other drugs are implicated in the crimes and incarceration of the U.S. inmate population since CASA released its first report on this subject 12 years ago. The new report exposes the extent to which alcohol and other drugs are involved in violent, property and other crimes, the co-occurring health and mental health problems of inmates, and their need for and access to addiction treatment. Recommendations include cost-effective options for intervention, treatment and aftercare.
Click here to download the report.
Attorney General Eric Holder Requests Public Comment on the PREA Standards (March 10, 2010)
The Department of Justice is soliciting public input on the PREA Commission's proposed national standards. The Department welcomes all comments, including any comments addressing specific standards proposed by the Commission. In addition, the Department specifically requests comments regarding three general questions listed below.
1. The Commission's proposed standards are intended to prevent, detect, and respond to "sexual abuse,'' which is defined in the glossary that precedes each checklist. PREA directed the Department to publish a final rule adopting national standards for the detection, prevention, reduction, and punishment of prison "rape,'' which is defined in section 10 of Public Law 108-79 (42 U.S.C. 15609(9)). What would be the implications of referring to one term as opposed to the
other in the Department's consideration of the Commission's proposed national standards?
2. PREA mandates that the Attorney General shall not establish a national standard "that would impose substantial additional costs compared to the costs presently expended by Federal, State and local prison authorities.'' Would any of the Commission's proposed standards impose "substantial additional costs''? How should any such standards be revised so as not to impose such costs? The Department welcomes all cost data or cost estimations that would help it determine whether particular proposed standards would--or would not--impose substantial additional costs. In assessing costs, please consider whether and to what extent implementation of particular standards would mitigate costs currently expended.
3. Should the Department consider differentiating within any of the four categories of facilities for which the Commission proposed standards (i.e., adult prisons and jails; juvenile facilities; community corrections facilities; and lockups) with compliance requirements dependent on size, personnel or resource limitations, or any other factors?
Comments must be received by May 10, 2010.
Secretary Maynard Meets with PREA Review Panel (2/18/10)
The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) of 2003 created a Review Panel to assist the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) in evaluating the significance of the data it collects on sexual assault in our nation’s prisons and jails. Following recent BJS surveys on sexual assault in federal, state, and local correctional facilities, the Review Panel held public hearings to identify the common characteristics of institutions that had both the best and worst records related to sexual assault.
To ensure that its work in 2010 will best serve all who have a stake in eliminating prison rape, the Review Panel is meeting informally with a number of constituency groups, including both victim advocates and administrators of correctional institutions. Secretary Gary Maynard (MDPSCS) met with the review panel on February 18th representing ASCA.
This session was an opportunity to provide insight on behalf of ASCA and correctional administrators as to the obstacles of implementing PREA. At the conclusion of the meeting, Secretary Maynard wrote a letter to the panel formalizing his input. The letter, “Letter to DOJ PREA Panel” can be downloaded below.
Executive Office
Second Chance Demonstration Grant Webinar Presentation
Download PDF here: Second Chance Webinar
Correctional Industries Research
Dr. Cindy Smith of the University of Baltimore conducted a NIJ-funded study on Prison Industry Enchancement Certification Programs, (PIECP). Below are listed both a NIJ Journal Article as well as the Full Final Report as submitted to NIJ by Dr. Cindy Smith.
Download Article
Download Full Report
For those who would like the URL as well as the PDF:
Article in the NIJ Journal: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/journals/257/real-work-programs.html
Substance Abuse Treatment in Correctional Settings: Recommended Practices (October 2009)
Pandemic Planning & H1N1 Flu Updates
In a continuing effort to keep you informed about the current status of the H1N1 Flu, we have posted below daily updates and other resources regarding the H1N1 Flu. ASCA will continue to post updates as information becomes available. Please send information about what your agency is doing that you wish to share with other members to rmay@asca.net.
Pertinent government websites for current information:
- CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
- BJA's Justice Today Newsletter: http://bja.ncjrs.org/justicetoday/newsletter.html
- BJA's Pandemic Resource Portal: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/pandemic/resources.html
- World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_04_29/en/index.html
- State/Jurisdiction Vaccine Contact Information
- CDC Vaccination Campaign Planning Checklist
- Community Corrections Pandemic Preparedness Guidelines
APPA Pandemic Flu Guidelines 8/25/09
ASCA's H1N1 Flu Update 8/25/09
ASCA's H1N1 Flu Update 8/18/09
ASCA's H1N1 Flu Update 7/31/09
ASCA's H1N1 Flu Update 7/29/09
ASCA's H1N1 Flu Update 7/23/09
National Survey on Swine Flu 7/15/09
ASCA Pandemic Checklist - Draft 5/1/09
CDC's Interim Guidance 5/27/09
ASCA's H1N1 Flu Update 5/14/09
ASCA's H1N1 Flu Update 5/13/09
ASCA's H1N1 Flu Update 5/12/09
ASCA's H1N1 Flu Update 5/11/09
ASCA's H1N1 Flu Update 4/30/09
ASCA's H1N1 Flu Update 4/29/09
ASCA's H1N1 Flu Update 4/28/09
ASCA's H1N1 Flu Update 4/27/09
Community Response Measures/MOUs
Framework for Emergency Preparedness
Alabama DOC Sanitation Posters
New York City Sanitation Poster
Other News:
December 5, 2009 [Press Release]
Roger Werholtz Wins Award as Outstanding Corrections Commissioner in the Nation
At its annual awards dinner on December 5th, 2009, the Association of State Correctional Administrators (ASCA) honored Roger Werholtz, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Corrections as the outstanding Director of Corrections for 2009.
The award is presented annually to recognize the outstanding ASCA member, and that member's dedication and achievements. ASCA established the award in 1992, to celebrate Michael Francke's contribution to the field of Corrections and his support of ASCA. In 1989, while Director of the Oregon Department of Corrections, Michael Francke was murdered as he left his office in Salem. In 1991, a former Oregon inmate was convicted of his murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Roger joined the Kansas Department of Corrections in 1982 as a Community Corrections Specialist after being the first director of the Wyandotte County Community Corrections Program. He has supervised all three divisions of the Department and has served the people of Kansas in the areas of community mental health, child protective services, and substance abuse prevention and treatment.
Roger holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts from Washburn University. He has also served as a graduate level instructor in the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare.
Making the award announcement, Morris Thigpen, Director of the National Institute of Corrections and recipient of the first Francke Award in 1992, described Secretary Werholtz as a quiet, reserved and influential member who has made major contributions on a state, regional and national basis. He has served as both moderator and instructor for ASCA's All Directors and New Directors Training Programs where he shared his knowledge, experience and insights. Morris further described him as patient, thoughtful and even-handed and credited him with having a wry and dry sense of humor that helps bring difficult issues into perspective. Mr. Thigpen said that as a major player in ASCA's performance based measures project he has worked tirelessly through controversial issues with the committee parsing measure after measure without taking sides and gaining consensus among members about how to measure performance.
In nominating him, Governor Parkinson wrote, “under Roger’s leadership, there has been seven percent reduction in the state’s inmate population since February 2004 as well as a 53 percent reduction in the rate of monthly parole revocations in Fiscal Year 2009 compared to FY 2003. Kansas has also benefited from Roger’s leadership evidenced by a 69% reduction in average number of parole absconders in the last decade.” Governor Parkinson said, “these dramatic improvements are just a few of the impressive outcomes achieved by the Department under Roger’s leadership which has focused not only on the safe and effective containment of inmates, but has also contributed to public safety by encouraging and assisting offenders to become law abiding citizens.”
Roger chairs the Kansas Criminal Justice Coordinating Council; is a member of the Kansas Sentencing Commission; the Kansas Reentry Policy Council; and the Kansas Sex Offender Policy Board. He has been a member of the Governor’s Mental Health Services Planning Council; the Governor’s Substance Abuse Prevention Council; the Information Technology Executive Council; the Criminal Justice Recodification, Rehabilitation and Restoration Committee; and chaired that State’s Community Corrections Board. He was a recipient of a Garvey Memorial Scholarship and a Charlotte Leavitt Scholarship. In 1998, he was recognized as the outstanding alumnus of the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare and is a member of the school’s Advisory Board. The Council of State Governments named him a 2005 Toll Fellow. He serves as the Midwest Regional Representative on the Executive Committee of the Association of State Correctional Administrators. He has been a volunteer in scouting and youth athletics.
To download the entire press release: Roger Werholtz named Outstanding Corrections Commissioner
Roger Werholtz proudly displays his award.
Roger Werholtz, Shirley Werholtz and Patrick Francke
Morris Thigpen (NIC), Roger Werholtz, George Camp and Patrick Francke
November 10, 2009
Attorney General Holder Welcomes Assistant Attorney General Laurie Robinson
Laurie O. Robinson was sworn in today as Assistant Attorney General in the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs (OJP). "Laurie's commitment, leadership, experience, and knowledge of criminal justice issues will ensure that the Department of Justice works in partnership with the justice community to develop innovative, evidence-based strategies to prevent and reduce crime," Attorney General Holder said. "I look forward to once again working with Laurie." The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership in developing the nation's capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice, and assist victims. OJP has five component bureaus: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; and the Office for Victims of Crime. Additionally, OJP has two program offices: the Community Capacity Development Office, which incorporates the Weed and Seed strategy, and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART). Ms. Robinson, who was confirmed by the United States Senate on November 5, 2009, previously served as the Assistant Attorney General of OJP from 1993 to February, 2000. Since 2004, Ms. Robinson has been the director of the Master of Science Program in the University of Pennsylvania's Department of Criminology. Also, since 2001, she has served as a Distinguished Senior Scholar in the University's Jerry Lee Center of Criminology, and as Executive Director of its Forum on Crime and Justice. She has published numerous articles in criminal justice and legal periodicals, and has spoken at hundreds of criminal justice-related conferences and forums. Ms. Robinson is a magna cum laude graduate of Brown University and a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
November 9, 2009
BJA Announces National Training and Technical Assistance Center
BJA has announced the availability of training and technical assistance through its new National Training and Technical Assistance Center (NTTAC). Assistance is available to criminal justice agencies and organizations to improve their capacity to address the myriad of challenges they face. Eligible recipients include law enforcement, courts, corrections, providers of substance abuse and mental health services to individuals involved in the criminal justice system, justice information sharing professionals, and crime prevention specialists. BJA's training and technical assistance program is not a grant or funding program. Rather, it is aimed at imparting skills, knowledge, and information that target specific needs and issues of the criminal justice community. To obtain additional information about the services that are available or to request technical assistance or training, contact the NTTAC at bja.ntta@fvtc.edu, via fax at 202.347.5614, or by calling 202.347.5610 or 1.888.347.5610 (Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time).
Friday, October 23, 2009
Jamming prison ban on phones
By Jon Ozmint
On Oct. 5, the U.S. Senate passed the Safe Prisons Communications Act. The purpose of the Act is to allow surgical jamming of cell phones inside of prisons, in a manner that does not interfere with calls off of prison property.
Cell phones are contraband in prison. However, contraband can get past even the best detection systems. X-ray scanners, metal detectors, drug and bomb dogs, and the best of search techniques are all creations of human ingenuity and they can all be defeated by human ingenuity. The act is necessary because the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has refused to engage in rulemaking that would allow jamming. The Federal Communications Act of 1934 was created to promote "safety of life and property through the use of wire and radio communication." By withholding surgical jamming technology from state and local law enforcement, the FCC has violated this purpose, failed to acknowledge advancing technology, and forced the hand of the U.S. Senate.
Most disappointingly, by marching in virtual lockstep with the pecuniary interests of the wireless industry, the FCC has demonstrated that the "regulated" can, at times, become the regulator. Perhaps this explains why the FCC has yet to even acknowledge receipt of our petition to establish a pilot cell-phone jamming program -- a petition signed by corrections directors from over 30 states.
The wireless industry has voiced two objections to using this technology in prisons: 1) interference with calls outside of prisons, such as emergency 911 calls; and, 2) interference with our own law enforcement radios. Years ago, technology used to block and jam signals was imprecise: in order to block cell phones within a limited area, such as a prison or a single building, the technology would interfere with other calls outside of that radius.
But now technology has advanced.After we demonstrated surgical jamming technology here in South Carolina, the public and media who were present know that surgical jamming does not interfere with law enforcement radios or block 911 calls. In fact, it will not block any call or frequency outside of the prison perimeter.
Most dizzying is watching the wireless industry's duplicitous arguments on this point: on the one hand they claim that surgical jamming technology will not work; then, they oppose any demonstration of that same technology. Frankly, the only possible reason to fear such a demonstration is because they know that surgical jamming works. The U.S. government has used it for years, and other nations are already using it in prisons. Unfortunately, as recently as last month the FCC once again bowed to the wishes of the wireless industry by failing to allow Maryland to demonstrate surgical jamming.
In crafting the Safe Prisons Communications Act, Senators Jim DeMint, R-S.C., Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, and Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., worked to accommodate the concerns of the wireless industry.
In fact, they bent over backwards. In present form, the bill contains so many safeguards and opportunities for the wireless industry to challenge and delay, that if the bill became the law tomorrow, it would be at least two years before any prison could get approval for surgical jamming.
After these concessions were made to the Senate version of the act, the wireless industry has reneged on its pledge to work in good faith. Instead, it is now using its considerable financial resources to influence the U.S. House of Representative and the Obama administration. Recently, President Obama's Commerce Department weighed in against the bill that passed U.S. Senate unanimously. Their newest tactic is to recommend other more expensive and less effective technologies -- typical Washington-think.
Here are the facts: Cell phone jamming can be controlled and limited to prison grounds. Most criminals and virtually all inmates use prepaid cell phones. Anyone who has compared the costs of anonymous prepaid phones with the monthly plans used by most law-abiding citizens knows that prepaid phone minutes cost more. The higher per minute cost produces greater profits for the industry.
It is understandable for the wireless industry to spread its money around Washington to protect the profitable market of anonymous, pre-paid cell phones.
What is confounding is that the FCC and Obama administration are going along with it.
Unfortunately, it is only a matter of time before another witness, judge, prosecutor, or innocent victim is killed as a result of efforts coordinated by an inmate using a cell phone. When that happens, remember the warnings of correctional professionals and the recalcitrance of their FCC.
Jon Ozmint is director of the S.C. Department of Corrections.
October 5, 2009 -- [Press Release]
Senators Feinstein, Grassley Introduce Legislation to Prohibit Cell Phones in Federal Prisons – Bill aims to prevent inmates from using technology to commit crimes outside of prison walls.
Washington, D.C. –U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) today announced legislation to prevent inmates from using cell phones to commit crimes from inside prison walls. The bill would close a loophole in federal law by prohibiting the use or possession of cell phones and wireless devices in federal prisons. The bill also would classify cell phones and wireless devices as contraband material. Anyone who provides, or attempts to provide, an inmate with a cell phone could face imprisonment of up to one year.
“A cell phone should never be in the hands of a prisoner,” Senator Feinstein said. “The presence of these cell phones poses a grave safety concern for staff, inmates, and the public. We know that inmates use these phones to conduct criminal business outside of prison walls, including directing gang hits, controlling drug trafficking operations and even conducting credit card fraud.”
“It is my hope that this will serve as a strong deterrent to those who would profit from smuggling cell phones and other wireless devices into our federal prisons,” Senator Feinstein added.
“Cell phones and wireless devices are increasingly being found in our nation’s prisons and are used as a link to the outside to continue criminal enterprises,” Senator Grassley said. “This is a common-sense solution to ensure federal prisoners can’t continue their crimes from behind bars.”
Currently, cell phones found in prisons are not specifically defined as contraband material. As a result, guards and inmates found smuggling or possessing a cell phone in a federal prison are rarely punished. In 2008, Federal Bureau of Prisons staff confiscated 1,519 cell phones from federal prison camps and 255 cell phones from secure federal institutions.
In addition, state corrections departments across the country are reporting a sharp increase in cell phones being smuggled into prison facilities. So far this year, authorities have discovered more than 4,000 cell phones among inmates in California prisons. There are presumably thousands more that were not discovered. In May, California Inspector General David Shaw released a report which found that California prison inmates pay $500 to $1,000 per cell phone. The report noted that one corrupt correctional officer received approximately $150,000 in one year to smuggle cell phones to inmates. Senator Feinstein also supports “The Safe Prisons Communications Act of 2009,” authored by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas). The bill would enable state or federal prisons to petition the Federal Communications Commission to operate wireless jamming devices to block inmate calls. Before granting permission, the FCC would have to first determine whether the jammer would interfere with emergency or public safety communications outside of the prison walls.
October 5, 2009 --
[Press Release]
Senate Passes Hutchison Bill to Prevent Inmates from Using Smuggled Cell Phones - Bill will Allow Prisons to Employ Cell Jamming Technology
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Hutchison-backed legislation allowing prisons to block calls from contraband cellular phones has unanimously passed the Senate. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, introduced the legislation to prevent prison inmates from using smuggled cellular phones by allowing states to petition to operate wireless jamming devices in particular correctional facilities. The bill will now move to the House of Representatives for consideration.
“This legislation will disconnect the communications networks that prisoners and criminal enterprises have patched together using smuggled cell phones,” said Senator Hutchison. “With innocent lives on the line, Congress has a responsibility to give the nation’s law enforcement community the tools necessary to effectively fight this growing problem. By adding cell jamming technology to the tools our corrections professionals can deploy, we can prevent criminals from terrorizing Americans from behind bars – even when phones evade detection and discovery and fall into convicts’ hands. I urge my colleagues in the House to swiftly pass this legislation.”
For the full Press Release and a summary of the legislation, download by clicking the link below:
Press Release and Legislation Summary
October 1, 2009
CSG Justice Center Launches National Reentry Resource Center
New York—The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center announced today its launch of the National Reentry Resource Center—an unprecedented initiative to advance the safe and successful return of individuals from prisons and jails to their communities. Among those served by the resource center will be states, tribes, territories, local governments, service providers, nonprofit organizations and adult and juvenile corrections institutions.
The CSG Justice Center was selected through a competitive grant process by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice, to develop and direct the resource center. Authorized by the Second Chance Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-199), the resource center will provide communities across the country with the best thinking on complex reentry issues, comprehensive resources and myriad forms of support that can help reduce recidivism and strengthen neighborhoods and families. It will provide needed training and technical assistance to Second Chance Act grant recipients and provide a single point of contact for the many individuals and organizations that are committed to reentry issues.
The National Reentry Resource Center, established by the Second Chance Act <http://nationalreentryresourcecenter.org/about/second-chance> (Public Law 110-199) and administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice, provides education, training, and technical assistance to states, tribes, territories, local governments, service providers, non-profit organizations, and corrections institutions working on prisoner reentry.
The National Reentry Resource Center is a project of the Council of State Governments Justice Center, with key project partners: the Urban Institute, Association of State Correctional Administrators, and the American Probation and Parole Association. The Center is also guided by an Advisory Board <http://nationalreentryresourcecenter.org/about/partners> , which helps coordinate support and services for Second Chance Act grantees and the reentry field.
Mission
The mission of the National Reentry Resource Center is to advance the reentry field through knowledge transfer and dissemination and to promote evidence-based best practices.
Objectives
• Provide a one-stop, interactive source of current, user-friendly reentry information.
• Identify, document, and promote evidence-based practices.
• Deliver individualized, targeted technical assistance to the Second Chance Act grantees.
• Advance the reentry field through training, distance learning, and knowledge development.
For more information, visit the resource center’s website at http://nationalreentryresourcecenter.org/ where reentry research, publications and tools will be continually added and updated.
October 1-4, 2009
New Director's Training - Atlanta, Georgia
ASCA’s New Directors Training, which was rescheduled from June, was held October 1 – 4, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. Five “new directors” attended the training:
• Brent Reinke, Director, Idaho Department of Correction;
• Ed Buss, Commissioner, Indiana Department of Correction;
• Alvin Keller, Secretary, North Carolina Department of Correction;
• Brian Owens, Commissioner, Georgia Department of Correction; and
• Michael Randle, Director, Illinois Department of Corrections.
Harold Clark (MA) moderated the training program and engaged both facilitators and new directors in discussion while keeping the training moving along on schedule. The facilitators provided an excellent mix of humor, advice, and personal experiences in their presentations and discussions of the issues of the day.
The following ASCA members made presentations and served as facilitators: Larry Norris (AR), LaDonna Thompson (KY), Jeffrey Beard (PA), A.T. Wall (RI), Jon Ozmint (SC), Gary Maynard (MD), and Rick Raemisch (WI). ASCA staff in attendance were George Camp and Joe Fenton.
The NIC funded event was also attended by Morris Thigpen, Director of the National Institute of Corrections (NIC), Tom Beauclair, Deputy Director of NIC, and BeLinda Watson, Prisons Chief, NIC. We thank the National institute of Corrections for supporting this valuable training and for their participation and input.
August 9, 2009
Susan M. Hunter Scholarship – Presidents’ Circle
Ron Angelone (Associate), Chair of the Past Presidents’ Committee, expressed ASCA’s appreciation to the corporations that have generously contributed to the Susan M. Hunter Correctional Scholarship Fund Presidents’ Circle. Thanks to their generosity 21 scholarships awarded this year (11 new awards of $1000 each and 10 re-applicant awards of $500 each).
Ron said that these organizations, and individual donors, keep the circle of commitment to the field of corrections alive for tomorrow’s leaders with their contributions to the scholarship fund. President Larry Norris and Ron Angelone then presented lapel pins and plaques to representatives of each of the companies that contributed to the Presidents’ Circle. Ron then called Morris Thigpen from NIC forward and presented the Scholarship Poster created for the Summer Business meeting. The poster, which contains pictures and names of all recipients and donors since the scholarship was created, will be displayed at the offices of NIC in Washington, DC. President Norris thanked Ron for his efforts in making this year’s scholarship fund drive such a great success.
Ron Angelone (Associate), Morris Thigpen (NIC) and President Larry Norris (ASCA)
Presidents’ Circle Donors
Platinum Donors
• The Keefe Group – accepted by Jack Donnelly, President & Chief Operating Officer
• Shawntech Communications, Inc. – accepted by Lance Francer, President & CEO
Gold Donors
• Prison Health Services – accepted by Jon Walker, Senior Vice President
• Aramark – accepted by Tim Campbell, President
• Marquis Software Development – accepted by Peter Stoetklin, Vice President
• Wexford Health Sources – accepted by Mark Hale, President & CEO
• Corrections Corporation of America – accepted by Damon Hininger Pres. & COO
Silver Donors
• Wainwright Judicial Services – accepted by Louie Wainwright (Associate)
• DeTekion Security Systems - accepted by Alex Haker, Vice President
• MGT of America – accepted by Ken McGinnis (Associate), Partner
• Johnson Controls – Mary Dowell, Director of Community Relations (was unable to attend)
• Louisiana Association of Wardens – accepted by Richard Stalder (Associate)
• JPay, Inc. – accepted by L.D. Hay, Chief Marketing Officer
August 10, 2009
Gaylord Opryland: A Familiar Location for ASCA’s Summer Business Meetings
The Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee, is a familiar location to many of our members. It provided a unique setting for this year’s ASCA Summer Business Meetings. A total of 22 Directors, 20 Associates and 13 of representatives from allied agencies attended the four-day event, which lasted from Thursday, August 6th through Sunday, August 9th.
September 28, 2009
Cell Phone Jamming
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation released its committee report on the Safe Prisons Communications Act on September 24th. The report can be downloaded by clicking the link "Safe Prisons Committee Report" below. A section by section summary of the bill released in August can be downloaded by clicking the link,"Safe Prisons Act Summary".
August 21, 2009
A message from Judge Walton regarding the conclusion of the PREA Commission’s work:
Greetings from the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission. On behalf of the Commission, I write to notify you of the conclusion of our formal tenure, and to thank you for your interest in this important endeavor of which we have been a part. On June 23, 2009, the Commission presented its final Report and proposed Standards to the President, Congress, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and other federal and state officials. As directed by the Prison Rape Elimination Act that established the Commission, this body will formally sunset on Saturday, August 22, 2009, sixty days after the delivery of our report. Over the past five years, my fellow Commissioners and I have had the pleasure of working closely with leading experts, law enforcement officials, academics, corrections administrators and staff, advocates, and the survivors of prison rape and their families to develop standards that we believe are a critical next step towards making facilities safer for both the inmates who live there and the staff who work there. It has been a privilege to learn from the experiences and expertise of so many, and we have been inspired by those who are determined to eliminate sexual assault in corrections and detention facilities in the United States. While the work of the Commission has come to an end, we look forward to the promulgation of final standards by the Attorney General and Department of Justice.
Although the Commission will no longer be staffed, our work product will continue to be available to the public. To view the Commission's report and standards, please visit our website at www.nprec.us To request a hardcopy of any of our publications, please visit the National Criminal Justice Reference Service at www.ncjrs.gov and enter the publication title or the NCJ# into the A/Z Publications/Products Search:
- Executive Summary (NCJ# 226681)
- Report (NCJ# 226680)
- Standards: Adult Prisons and Jails with Immigration Supplement (NCJ# 226682)
- Standards: Lockups (NCJ# 226685)
- Standards: Community Corrections (NCJ# 226683)
- Standards: Juvenile Facilities (NCJ# 226684)
Again, we appreciate your interest in the Commission and its work. Most of all, to those of you who have contributed and who continue to work to eliminate sexual violence in our nation's detention facilities, we offer our sincerest thanks. The Commissioners urge you to continue your efforts to ensure that our mutual goal is achieved, and look forward to working with you in doing so.
The Honorable Reggie B. Walton, Chair
June 23, 2009
National Prison Rape Commission Issued the Final Report on June 23, 2009
The National Prison Rape Elimination Commission released the final report and standards to Congress, the President, the Attorney General, and selected Federal and State officials on June 23, 2009. The report and standards are available to the public at www.nprec.us.
The Commission itself sunsets 60 days after the submission of the report and standards. Within a year of receiving the final report and standards from the Commission, the Attorney General is required by the PREA statute to finalize and promulgate national standards. The finalized standards issued by the Attorney General are immediately applicable to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. States will receive notification of the Attorney General's finalized standards and will have a year from the time of that notification to adopt and comply with the standards or risk losing five percent of any Federal grant funds provided for prison purposes.
Note: According to the Act, "prison" is defined broadly to include any facility run by "a Federal, State, or local government, whether administered by such government or by a private organization on behalf of such government," including jails, police lockups, and any juvenile facility. Additionally, the statute directs that any organizations that accredit Federal, State, local or private prisons, jails or other penal facilities adopt accreditation standards for the detection, prevention, reduction, and punishment of sexual abuse that are consistent with the final national standards.
March, 2009
Cell Phone Jamming
The ASCA Executive Office and its members have been working closely with the Council of State Governments (CSG) in development of, and support for, legislation that is nowing making its way through Congress. The legislation was introduced by Senators Hutchison (TX) and DeMint (SC). The same bill was introduced in the House by Representative Brady (TX). This legislation will permit the jamming of cell phone transmissions from within a prison. Many members have written letters of support to their Congressional delegations expressing the need for the legislation. In addition, ASCA has asked members for their comments on S 251/HR 560 and are working closely with CSG to ensure that the changes are incorporated into the final bill. During the week of March 25th, CSG and others began meeting with key members of Congress as part of our effort to inform Congressional offices of the need to pass cell phone jamming legislation.
The following related documents are available for download:
- Safe Prisons Communication Act (Pending Senate Bill S 251)
- Safe Prisons Communication Act Graphic
- Summary of Safe Prison Communications Talking Points
- Potential Witness List for Senate Hearings
March 5, 2009
ASCA Representatives Meet with Judge Walton
President Larry Norris (AR), Harley Lappin (FBOP) and George Camp (ASCA), met in Washington, D.C. with Judge Walton, Chair of the PREA Commission, John Kaneb (Vice Chair), and Jim Aiken (Member) along with several of their staff, to reiterate our concerns about the currently drafted standards and the cost to implement them.
Judge Walton indicated that they had taken seriously ASCA's previous submissions about the standards and that, while they did not share the specifics of the changes they made to the draft standards, they clearly conveyed that changes had been made based on the input they had received. While ASCA believes those changes will not result in the elimination of additional costs to corrections, we suspect those costs will be less than what we had initially anticipated.
ASCA offered to assist the Commission in the collection of information about specific best practices that Members have implemented that could be included in the report. We believe they will take us up on the offer. They remain on track to complete their work very shortly, in that the Commission "sunsets" on June 30th.
March 2, 2009
The PEW Center Releases New Report
The Pew Center on the States released its latest report on corrections entitled "One in 31: The Long Reach of American Corrections." It is a follow-up study to last year's report "One in 100." The focus of this report is on state level probation and parole populations as well as on the cost-effectiveness of state corrections. To download the report, click on the link below.
February 27, 2009
Second Chance Act Grants Announced by BJA
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), U.S. Department of Justice, just released the solicitation for Second Chance Act grants to state and local governments for adult reentry demonstration projects (Section 101). Funding under this section is available to help state and local agencies implement programs and strategies to reduce recidivism and ensure the safe and successful reentry of adults released from prisons and jails. To download the solicitation or find out more about the grant program, visit http://www.jop.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/SecondChance.html. The deadline for applications is 8:00 p.m. ET on April 20, 2009. Inquiries about the solicitation should be directed to Gary L. Dennis, Senior Policy Advisor, Bureau of Justice Assistance at 202-305-9059 or gary.dennis@usdoj.gov.
More Second Chance solictations will be released in the near future including: Section 211 - grants for non-profit organizations and Indian Tribes to provide mentoring and other transitional services; and Section 212 - an employment-focused program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor. In addition, OJJDP will release a Second Chance Juvenile Demonstration Grant solicitation in early March of 2009.
Helpful Second Chance documents to download:
- Second Chance Demonstration Grant Solicitation (Section 101)
- Second Chance FAQ
- Understanding Second Chance - CSG
ASCA Provides Input to Judge Walton Regarding Proposed PREA Standards
On behalf of Members, President Larry Norris (AR), sent a letter to Judge Walton of the PREA Commission in response to his request for ASCA's input regarding PREA related policies, practices, and resources. The letter shared ASCA's perspective that the Commission has advanced the goal of zero tolerance, and "research gaps regarding the incidence of sexual abuse in correctional facilities" as well as concerns over the costly impact of the proposed standards. President Norris pointed out that the Act states that "the Commission shall not propose a recommended standard that would impose substantial additional costs compared to the costs presently expended by the Federal, State and local prison authorities." The letter said that ASCA believes that this violates the spirit and intent of the consultation provision.