Jails Division

The NIC Jails Division is commissioned to advance public safety by identifying, communicating, and assisting with establishing the most effective corrections policies and practices for federal, state, local, and tribal agencies. These services include training, technical assistance, networking, and information resources under the six areas of Leadership, Jail Administration, Strategic Inmate  Management, New Jail Planning, Jail Standards and Inspection, and Critical Incident Management and Crisis Intervention.

• Leadership 

  We provide training, technical assistance and information resources to support the professional development of sheriffs, jail administrators, and jail staff.  We also offer the National Sheriffs’ Institute, the only executive leadership program designed specifically for sheriffs. 

• Jail Administration 

  We provide training on key elements in jail administration, jail resource management, and building a productive relationship between jail officials and their funding authority. We also sponsor a peer-training network for large jail administrators with meetings and opportunities for peer-to-peer discussion. Technical assistance and information resources cover a wide range of jail administration and operational issues.

• Strategic Inmate Management 

  The purpose of Strategic Inmate Management (SIM) is to promote safe and secure environments by employing the best practices of direct supervision and inmate behavior management applicable to all physical plant designs.  With the SIM initiative, NIC works with jurisdictions seeking to integrate a comprehensive approach to inmate management.  The goals of this initiative include the following:

  • Support correctional leaders and staff in fulfilling their role in providing safe and secure facilities
  • Demonstrate the importance of having a cohesive inmate management strategy to effectively manage inmate behavior
  • Assist correctional agencies in integrating SIM as an operational philosophy, ingraining SIM in the organizational culture
  • Build organizational capacity to sustain the integration of SIM throughout all levels of the organization
• New Jail Planning 

  We provide training, technical assistance, and information resources on all phases of new-jail planning.

• Jail Standards and Inspection 

  We provide training for jail inspectors, a peer-training network for chief jail inspectors, information resources on standards and inspection, and related technical assistance.

• Critical Incident Management / Crisis Intervention 

  We provide training to help local jurisdictions learn the core elements of crisis management and crisis intervention teams and we conduct agency readiness assessments.

Additional Projects and Initiatives Being Developed

• Sheriff Wellness 
  The continued advancement of sheriff wellness through the establishment of a cadre of champion sheriffs and state sheriffs’ associations, the development of a comprehensive resource toolkit, and the dissemination of best practices. Recognizing the critical influence of sheriff wellness on community safety and organizational effectiveness, this project aims to provide practical support and resources to sheriff's offices nationwide.
• Corrections Intelligence Units
  Correctional Intelligence Units have proven effective in gathering actionable intelligence and partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement. This intelligence has disrupted fentanyl trafficking, gang operations, and immigration violations. This is possible by enhancing the skill set for correctional staff in custodial settings, improving the ability to identify and manage intelligence sources and strengthening information-sharing procedures across jurisdictions.