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Children with incarcerated parents can experience trauma and long-lasting negative effects, such as behavior problems, poor academic outcomes, and severed relationships with their parents. This page provides resources for facilities who want to provide accommodations and resources to families in their care.

Corrections Stress refers to the emotional challenges faced by correctional personnel and the potentially cumulative negative side effects of what staff experience through daily interactions with justice-involved individuals and immersion in uniquely challenging workplace conditions.

For additional information, trainings and materials on this NIC Project go to: Health and Wellness

Employers must create a work environment that values diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) to attract the best employees. The DEIA supports individual and organizational growth by providing resources to examine bias, lead diverse teams, support inclusive teams, and create DEIA programs.

The Employer-Driven Employment Toolkit provides effective practices, strategies, tips, and resources for implementing the four key processes. The toolkit emphasizes building relationships between corrections agencies and businesses to ensure successful attachment to the labor market.

EBDM is a strategic and deliberate method of applying empirical knowledge and research-supported principles to justice system decisions made at the case, agency, and system level. Public safety outcomes will be improved when stakeholders engage in partnerships, use research, and create better outcomes.

Evidence-based practice (EBP) uses current research and data to guide policy and practice decisions. It involves critical review of research literature, quality assurance, and evaluation. EBP focuses on measurable outcomes and practical realities, making it appropriate for outcome-focused human service disciplines.

The Evidenced-Based Workforce Training Series - based on evidence-based practices - shows staff how to combine cognitive behavioral interventions with motivational interviewing techniques to address offenders’ gainful attachment to the workforce and/or job loss. This “hand in glove” approach supports the honest exploration of thoughts, feelings, and beliefs affecting offender

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.

The Green Corrections Initiative promotes environmentally sustainable practices and green-collar job readiness training programs in correctional facilities. The initiative provides technical assistance to develop strategic plans for implementing GC programs and creates a community to promote green practices throughout the country.

This page addresses the unique needs of justice-involved veterans, who suffer from physical and "invisible" wounds of war. NIC first developed "Veterans Treatment Courts: A Second Chance for Vets Who Have Lost Their Way," and established the Justice Involved Veterans Network to improve outcomes for veterans.

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.

Juvenile detention populations have significantly reduced due to reforms in the industry. The reforms focus on improved screening, community-based alternatives, and expansion of programs for at-risk youth, with only the most dangerous youth in custody.

NIC believes in developing effective correctional leaders through competency-based training aligned with agency needs. It offers Correctional Leadership Competencies for the 21st Century, which links skills, knowledge, and attributes of effective leaders to specific behaviors.

NIC provides resources and services for trainers in the correctional system through the Learning and Performance Initiative to help build staff training and development capacity in corrections agencies, with guides and resources available to training directors, coordinators, and others responsible for training.

This webpage provides information on the safe and respectful management of LGBTQI persons in custody, using best practices and considering legal perspectives. Agencies can apply for limited technical assistance to improve their response to managing LGBTQI persons.

Motivational Interviewing (M.I.) is a counseling method that helps people explore and resolve ambivalence by accessing internal motivation for change. It draws from client-centered counseling, emphasizing empathy, optimism, and respect for client choice. M.I. also uses self-perception theory to encourage change by having clients talk about the benefits of change.

Reentry is the transition of offenders from prisons or jails back into the community. Over three-quarters of state offenders are re-arrested within five years of release, highlighting the importance of successful reintegration for improving public safety and policy.

This page provides links and resources to innovative ideas and best practices for managing and rehabilitating people with mental illnesses in corrections.

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.

PREA was enacted to address the issue of sexual abuse of people in custody. Its provisions include zero-tolerance standards, standards for detection, prevention, reduction, and punishment, collection and dissemination of information, and award of grant funds.

Resources by topic area for Post-Conviction Victim Service Providers.

For additional information, trainings and materials on the NIC Project go to: Post-Conviction Victim Service Providers.

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

This collection of resources is intended to provide a broad overview of current research and trends in the management and treatment of sex offenders.

This web page provides lists of resources related to local, state, and federal statistics displayed to help you see the current state of the corrections industry as of the last set of reported data.

This web page provides lists of resources related to local, state, and federal statistics.

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.

Technology presents both advantages and disadvantages to the corrections field, with professionals struggling to keep up with advances. This page covers various technologies such as biometrics, drones, and body cameras, to provide information on the biggest trends in technology for the corrections field.

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.

This page provides links to research, case studies, and best practices, demonstrating the value of giving both currently and formerly incarcerated individuals opportunities for rehabilitation through employment. By providing these resources, NIC aims to support communities in creating more inclusive and diverse workplaces while improving public safety.

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.