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This page is designed to provide quick and easy access to the resources and information that our users find most valuable.

Our most searched and most popular content covers a wide range of areas, from leadership and performance to offender programming and reentry. We have resources on topics such as PREA, Thinking for a Change, staff wellness, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and learning. We also have information on emerging trends and best practices in corrections.

Whether you're new to the field or a seasoned professional, NIC has the resources to support your growth and development.

How can Technical Assistance from NIC help my organization?

NIC technical assistance provides a range of services designed to help corrections agencies succeed. From training and mentoring to on-site assistance and program implementation, NIC's technical assistance experts have the experience and expertise to help agencies address their unique challenges and achieve their goals. Technical assistance can help agencies improve staff training and development, enhance offender programming, and implement evidence-based practices. NIC technical assistance also offers support for emerging trends and issues in corrections, including staff wellness, diversity, equity, and inclusion. With NIC technical assistance, corrections agencies can access the resources and expertise they need to improve operations, enhance outcomes, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of staff and offenders.

What is an example of NIC's Technical Assistance?

In 2020, NIC provided technical assistance to the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) to improve the agency's reentry programming. Through a comprehensive needs assessment and consultation with ADOC staff, NIC experts helped the agency identify areas for improvement and develop strategies to enhance reentry services for offenders. The technical assistance included staff training and development, program implementation, and ongoing monitoring and evaluation. As a result of this technical assistance, ADOC was able to improve the quality and effectiveness of its reentry programming and better support the successful reintegration of offenders into their communities.

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Related Topics
Librarianship in Corrections
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The initiative explores services for people supervised in prisons, jails, and community corrections environments, encouraging partner organizations to advance the field.
Evidence-based Practices (EBP)
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Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the objective use of current research and data to guide policy and practice decisions, improving consumer outcomes. EBP emphasizes effective approaches supported by empirical research rather than anecdotal evidence.
Gangs (Security Threat Groups)
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Gangs are an ongoing national problem that requires effective management by the public safety community. The research discussed covers various topics related to gangs, including slang used by prison gangs and intervention for gang-affiliated inmates.
Female Offenders
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Correctional administrators need to understand the different paths and levels of risk of women offenders to improve outcomes for them. Technical assistance is available to local jurisdictions to examine and improve their responses to this population.
Victim Services
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This page focuses on victim services in corrections, reentry, parole, and probation that occur after an offender has been convicted. Many states provide post-conviction victims' rights such as notification, protection, assistance with restitution, and referrals to crime victim services.
Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)
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The Prison Rape Elimination Act: Preventing and Responding to Sexual Abuse in Correctional Settings

 

The National Institute of Corrections (NIC), part of the U.S. Department of Justice, plays a key role in helping federal, state, tribal, and local correctional agencies prevent and respond to sexual abuse in correctional settings

Resources on Victim Offender Dialogue

Victim Offender Dialogue (VOD), also known as Restorative Justice Dialogue or Victim Offender Mediation, is a process that brings together victims of a crime and the individuals who have harmed them. It provides an opportunity for both parties to engage in open and facilitated communication with the goal of addressing

Suicide in Corrections
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The resources on this page will help give an overview of the problems surrounding correctional suicides and the ways one can implement strategies to turn around the alarming upward trajectory of suicide rates.
Thinking for a Change
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NIC's "Thinking for a Change" program is an evidence-based cognitive-behavioral program designed to help offenders develop pro-social thinking and problem-solving skills. The program emphasizes skill-building and practice in a group setting, and has been shown to reduce recidivism rates for participating offenders. By addressing underlying criminogenic needs, the program aims to improve offender outcomes and promote public safety.
Wellness for Corrections and Supervision Professionals
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This page highlights the need for maintaining safety and security while providing opportunities for staff to not become overwhelmed by both institutional and community settings. "Wellness" emphasizes the importance of taking personal well-being seriously and provides a list of topics and resources to help professionals in the corrections field find balance and stay motivated to perform at their best.
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