How Can DISCOVER CORRECTIONS Help You and Your Agency?

As the premier national website dedicated to promoting corrections careers, www.DiscoverCorrections.comenables corrections agencies to:

· Reach a local and national audience of informed, interested and qualified candidates
· Present jobseekers with detailed information about their agencies
· Post job openings to our free job board
· Search resumes of registered job seekers
· And do it all for FREE

First, has your agency registered as an employer on DiscoverCorrections.com? If not, please take a moment and register your agency today! Even if you don’t have current job openings, registering and creating a profile on Discover Corrections is a great way to promote your agency.

Are you unsure if your agency has registered? You can view the employer directory at this link:

http://discovercorrections.com/jobboard/browse-by-company/?action=search

Need to register your agency, go to

http://discovercorrections.com/jobboard/registration/?user_group_id=Employer

Don’t forget to let your Human Resources staff know about the site and encourage them to use it as another method for posting job openings.

Second…help us promote the website to your constituency group. I’ve attached some templates that you can adapt and use to help us spread the word. There is a short announcement you can insert into e-newletters or email blasts. There is also a short article that you can include in a newsletter or magazine. A general email blast template and copies of 3 full page color ads are also attached for your use.

Technical Assistance Available From the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)

The Association of Paroling Authorities International (APAI) is partnering with the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to promote some very important technical assistance opportunities. BJA is committed to supporting the efforts of probation and parole agencies across the nation to leverage contemporary research to implement promising supervision policies and practices that are evidence-based, data-driven, and smart on crime.  Although it currently funds several technical assistance (TA) initiatives for community corrections, BJA recognizes that there is a need for additional resources that can be tailored to address the specific challenges faced by community corrections at the state, local, and tribal levels.  BJA’s National Training and Technical Assistance Center (NTTAC) has, therefore, committed additional resources to support TA engagements that focus on enhancing the work of community corrections agencies on the following key issues:

•        Leveraging key lessons learned from BJA’s Smart Probation Initiative to enhance the overall effectiveness and efficiency of offender supervision strategies.

•        Enhancing the use of empirically validated offender assessment tools to guide supervision and decision-making.

•        Evaluating caseload allocations and implementing strategies to use limited supervision resources most efficiently and effectively, (e.g., targeting high and medium risk offenders for smaller caseloads, more intensive supervision and programming).

•        Integrating effective treatment and programming with supervision, and ensuring quality of services delivered.

•        Developing and implementing a comprehensive system of data-driven graduated sanctions designed to respond to violations and reduce the likelihood of recidivism.

•        Enhancing collaboration and expanding strategic partnerships between probation and parole agencies and local law enforcement to enhance offender management efforts. 

These topics appear to be areas in which state parole boards and releasing authorities can collaborate with their supervision partners to improve their performance in the critical task before them.  This assistance is open to non-federal agencies from the United States and the U.S. territories.

Community corrections agencies interested in pursuing TA engagements on any of the aforementioned issues are encouraged to complete a brief online application at: http://bjatraining.org/working-with-nttac/requestors/tta-request/form by September 30, 2013.  

Questions regarding the assistance available on enhancing the work of community corrections can be directed to BJA NTTAC at 855-252-8822.

Almost Half of States Acted in 2012 to Cut Inmates or Aid Re-Entry

The State of Sentencing 2012, a new report from The Sentencing Project, highlights reforms in 24 states that demonstrate a continued trend to reform sentencing policies and scale back the use of imprisonment without compromising public safety. The report provides an overview of recent policy reforms in the areas of sentencing, probation and parole, collateral consequences, and juvenile justice.  Read more...

Training Opportunites Available from the National Parole Resource Center

ANNOUNCEMENT:  TRAINING SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR:

 Positive Outcomes for Women Offenders: Applying the Research and Principles of Gender-Responsiveness to Parole Decision Making and Supervision

The National Parole Resource Center (NPRC) a partnership of the Center for Effective Public Policy (CEPP), the Association of Paroling Authorities International (APAI), and the Urban Institute, supported by a grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), is pleased to announce a workshop entitled Increasing Positive Outcomes for Women Offenders: Applying the Research and Principles of Gender-Responsiveness to Parole Decision Making and Supervision to be conducted on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 22 and the morning of Thursday, May 23, 2013 in Providence, Rhode Island in conjunction with the APAI Annual Training conference.  (Although funding for this workshop is provided in the grant supporting the National Parole Resource Center, recent procedural changes at the Department of Justice require that every meeting sponsored under their funding be individually approved.  A request for approval of this event—proposed in the original grant application—was submitted, and all financial guidelines regarding how funds may be utilized are being observed.  Approval is anticipated, however, funds may not be obligated—e.g., airline tickets purchased, etc.—until specific approval has been received.  NPRC will keep applicants for this event fully informed as to the status of plans, and will notify them specifically before any travel costs may be incurred.)

NPRC Background

The National Parole Resource Center (NPRC) was established to address the documented and significant gap that exists in the resources and accessible knowledge base available for a critical group of justice system practitioners – paroling authorities. The NPRC, operated by a partnership among the Center for Effective Public Policy, the Association of Paroling Authorities International, and the Urban Institute, was established to provide state paroling authorities with the kind of information, guidance, and support on best practices or evidence emerging from the research needed to strengthen and make the work of state paroling authorities more effective within the larger context of the criminal justice system.

Workshop Description

The movement towards evidence-based practice (EBP) and gender-responsive practices has led to important discoveries in the field regarding how criminal justice professionals can work more effectively with women offenders to improve their outcomes.  This workshop will provide participants with gender-specific considerations that parole boards and paroling authorities should consider when making release decisions, setting conditions, and supervising offenders to facilitate their successful transition to the community. The workshop will integrate research on female development, pathways and trauma, while emphasizing how gender-specific research and best practices can be applied within the current framework of EBP in which many agencies are already engaged.  Information on NPRC resources and technical assistance opportunities will also be provided. 

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Summarize the research on the new gender-informed classification and risk assessment tools.
• Define the risk levels, criminogenic needs and resiliency factors that women present and identify the implications for release decision making, condition setting, and supervision.
• List the behavioral symptoms of women’s trauma experiences and identify the implications for effective interactions with women and parole supervision strategies.
• Consider the ten “practice targets” for paroling authorities through the lens of working with justice-involved women.
• Locate and access additional resources provided by the NPRC.

NPRC to Sponsor Scholarships for a Limited Number of Parole Board Members and Potentially Other Staff

The NPRC is pleased to announce that the project will support the participation of at least one Parole Board member from up to 30 different U.S. non-federal/military paroling authorities.  The intent of the NPRC is to ensure broad-based, nationwide participation in this event.  However, if applications are not received from 30 individual parole boards, the project will fill remaining slots with a senior staff member, hearing officer, or an additional member from boards with one member already participating.  These decisions will be made on a first come, first served basis. 

Support for these 30 participants will be in the form of “scholarships” available to pay the costs of transportation, lodging, and food for this two-day event. While the provision of food and lodging will cover this workshop only, transportation can be arranged so as to allow for attendance at the entire APAI Annual Training Conference.  (Conference registration fees and additional food and lodging costs for the remainder of the APAI conference are not covered by the NPRC scholarship.)

If space permits, an additional 5 individuals (from U.S., federal/military, and international boards) may be permitted to attend the NPRC workshop (though no additional scholarships would be available for these individuals).  Information about further non-scholarship slots in the workshop will be available at a later date.

Eligibility

Because of the source of funding for these scholarships, the following eligibility requirements are necessary.  In order to be eligible for a scholarship to this event, a nominated candidate:

·         Must be a member or staff of a state parole board or releasing authority within the United States; and

·         Must commit to attend both days of the workshop.

In the event that not all scholarship opportunities are sought, remaining slots will be assigned to a second participant from applying paroling authorities, on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Application Process

Boards may make up to two nominations:

·         First, for the available scholarship opportunity—they should nominate one Board member;

·         A second nomination may also be made (for a senior staff member, hearing officer, or an additional board member), to take advantage of the opportunity in case another scholarship becomes available.

The deadline for receipt of the letter of application is Friday, February 15, 2013.  Final selection decisions will be made by March 15, 2013.  Potential participants should not make any travel arrangements to travel to the workshop without notification of final selection from the NPRC.  Applications will be considered in the order in which they are received.

How to Apply

In order to apply, applicants should submit the  application form, available HERE or on the APAI website,  and a brief email to Leilah Gilligan, Center for Effective Public Policy, via email at lgilligan@cepp.com with the subject line “APAI Justice-Involved Women Training Application.”  The email message should demonstrate compliance with the eligibility requirements above. 

Questions about the application process or the workshop should be directed to: Leilah Gilligan at 301-5 lgilligan@cepp.com 89-9383 or lgilligan@cepp.com. 

* Approval for this workshop is pending with BJA and the convening of this workshop is

contingent upon this approval being received.

STRATEGIC PLANNING ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR US STATE PAROLE BOARDS

ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE NATIONAL PAROLE RESOURCE CENTER: 

STRATEGIC PLANNING ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR UP TO SIX U.S. PAROLE BOARDS

The National Parole Resource Center (NPRC) is pleased to announce the availability of targeted strategic planning assistance to a limited number of parole boards in 2013[1].  Requests for such assistance are invited and must be received by NPRC by Tuesday, January 22, 2013 in order to be considered.

NPRC Background

The National Parole Resource Center (NPRC) was established with funding from BJA in 2009 to provide training, technical assistance, and specialized information resources designed to address the unique perspective and responsibilities of state paroling authorities. A partnership of the Center for Effective Public Policy (CEPP), the Association of Paroling Authorities International (APAI), and the Urban Institute, supported by a grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the NPRC seeks to provide state paroling authorities with information, assistance, and support emerging from sound research and practice in order to strengthen the work of state paroling authorities within the larger context of the criminal justice system.

Description of Assistance to Be Provided

In its work to date, the NPRC has been able to support a number of boards as they have engaged in a strategic planning process.  These boards have expressed appreciation for this experience.  They have seen it as an opportunity to set aside the ongoing pressures of individual case reviews and decisionmaking, and to work together as a policy making team to shape their overall strategy. 

Current funding now enables the NPRC to work with six parole boards in designing and facilitating a strategic planning process.  This strategic planning technical assistance will create the opportunity for members of a participating board to work together as a team. Supported by NPRC staff, members will engage in a discussion of Board members’ mutual interests and goals to define areas of common ground and vision so that participating boards are able to plan for the future with clarity and undertake a more deliberate approach to their work.  They will be helped to consider and articulate a clear vision for their collective future as a Board, and to focus on deliberate, strategic approaches to parole policy and decision making. 

This assistance will be delivered by staff from the NPRC with extensive experience in working with our nation’s parole boards on a variety of strategic planning and decisionmaking issues.   Up to six sites will be selected through a competitive application process.  Three applying Boards will be invited to participate in the first phase of assistance (to be delivered between March and July 2013) and three additional applying Boards will be invited to participate in the second phase of assistance (to be delivered between August and December 2013).  NPRC will provide strategic planning assistance: off-site preparation for  a strategic planning retreat, on-site facilitation of a multi-day strategic planning retreat tailored to meet the needs of each paroling authority, and off-site (and possibly additional on-site) follow-up to the six parole boards. 

How to Apply for Assistance

A formal letter from interested U.S., state (non-federal/military) parole boards (described below) should be submitted in order to allow the NPRC to select with confidence six boards that are committed to and recognize the benefit of strategic planning to their daily work and to the value of their work as a board. 

In order to apply, applicants should submit a brief letter of interest to Leilah Gilligan, Center for Effective Public Policy, via email at lgilligan@cepp.com with the subject line “NPRC Strategic Planning Application” This letter should:

·         Include a concise statement of why the Board wishes to receive this assistance at this particular time (e.g., because of a recent examination of practice, changes in legislation, or turnover among board members);

·         Provide a concise statement of any current or recently completed projects and initiatives the agency has been involved in (either as a result of legislation, new Board members or leadership, or of its own volition) to improve the agency’s performance. Of particular interest would be an update on the Board’s interest in and progress toward achieving alignment with the ten “practice targets” for parole boards as outlined by the NPRC, particularly those on which you have made the most significant progress, and the ones that have presented significant challenges  (the practice targets are listed at the end of this notice);

·         Be signed by the board chair and all board members in order to articulate the commitment of the entire Board to participate in the strategic planning session;

·         Identify one board member who will serve as the point of contact for the planning of on-site assistance and who will be the liaison to NPRC in providing off-site assistance and provide full contact information for  that member; and

·         Articulate a commitment to provide adequate meeting space in which to deliver on-site assistance.

To be considered for assistance between March and July, please submit letters by no later than Tuesday, January 22, 2013.  Applications received after that date will be considered for the second phase of assistance.  Questions about the application process should be directed to: Leilah Gilligan, Project Manager, National Parole Resource Center, at 301-589-9383 or lgilligan@cepp.com. 

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[1] Regrettably, this assistance is limited to non-federal, U.S. parole boards only.  Our grant funding prohibits applications from military, federal, or international boards. 

Ten Practice Targets for Paroling Authorities (NPRC)

1.      Use good, empirically-based actuarial tools to assess risk and criminogenic needs of offenders. 

2.      Develop and use clear, evidence-based, policy-driven decisionmaking tools, policies, and guidelines that reflect the full range of a paroling authority’s concerns (e.g., punishment, victim issues, community safety, etc.).

3.      Maintain meaningful partnerships with institutional corrections and community supervision (and others) to encourage a seamless transition process and the availability of sound, evidence-based programs.

4.      Use their influence and leverage to target institutional and community resources to mid and high risk offenders to address their criminogenic needs.

5.      Consider for release at the earliest stage possible—in light of statutes and other sentencing interests—offenders assessed as low risk.

6.      Use the parole interview/hearing/review process as an opportunity to—among other goals—enhance offender motivation to change.

7.      Fashion condition setting policy to minimize requirements on low-risk offenders, and target conditions to criminogenic needs of medium and high risk offenders.

8.      Develop policy-driven, evidence-informed responses to parole violations that incorporate considerations of risk, criminogenic need and severity, assure even-handed treatment of violators, and utilize resources wisely.

9.      Develop and strengthen case-level decision making skills/capacities in these areas.

10.  Develop and strengthen agency level policy making, strategic management and performance measurement skills/capacities.

 

Fewer Americans Behind Bars, BJS Reports

For the third straight year, fewer Americans were under "correctional supervision"--a catch-all description that includes prisons, jails, probation, and parole--in 2011.

That was the major finding of a U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics report released today.  Read more...

Too Little Compassionate Release in US Federal Prisons?

A joint report by Human Rights Watch and Families Against Mandatory Minimums

This 128-page report is the first comprehensive examination of how compassionate release in the federal system works. Congress authorized compassionate release because it realized that changed circumstances could make continued imprisonment senseless and inhumane, Human Rights Watch and FAMM said. But if the Bureau of Prisons refuses to bring prisoners’ cases to the courts, judges cannot rule on whether release is warranted. Since 1992, the Bureau of Prisons has averaged annually only two dozen motions to the courts for early release, out of a prison population that now exceeds 218,000. Read more...