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Forward Thinking

Links to Other 'Forward Thinking' Scenarios

Discuss the Trends

*Forward Thinking Resources

The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and National Institute of Corrections (NIC) are coordinating a project to develop scenarios, based on trends analysis, for correctional agencies to use in strategic planning and organizational development. This process, referred to as "Forward Thinking," is increasingly used by private firms and governmental agencies to prepare to effectively function in a quickly changing, uncertain environment. The Bureau of Prisons began "Forward Thinking" activities in 2001 and continues to update trends and scenarios used for their agency-wide planning. NIC will be developing scenario-based training and technical assistance for state and local correctional agencies.

A first step to building scenarios is identifying and analyzing trends. You can get involved!

Start by reviewing NIC's Environmental Scan Update-2005 and the Bureau of Prisons' Trend Statements for background. You can also review examples of other agencies' scenarios. Then join the Forward Thinking Forum in the Corrections Community (see sidebar). The forum provides opportunities to interact with other corrections professionals to identify and discuss emerging trends, and project their potential impacts on the field of corrections. The forum will also provide blogs and announcements of NIC training and other information related to Forward Thinking.

The BOP/NIC Forward Thinking Panel will use input from the forum and other research to produce a CORRECTIONS TRENDS list (see below). Those trends can be used for agency planning.

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Corrections Trends

Recommended Reading

Date Title Type
2006

NIC Publication
Environmental Scan Update - 2005
Changes and forces that may affect the programming of the National Institute of Corrections are analyzed and commented on. This update contains the following sections: international developments; social and demographic trends; public opinion and pub... Read More
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