NIC Topics in Community Corrections

Issue contents are: “Foreword” by Kermit Humphries; “An Overview of NIC’s Transition from Prison to the Community Initiative” by Peggy B. Burke; “Rising to the Challenge of Applying Evidence-Based Practices Across the Spectrum of a State Parole Board” by Sherry Tate and Catherine C. McVey; “Collaboration and Partnership in the Community: Advancing the Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Initiative” by Le’Ann Duran; “Providing Tools for Risk Reduction Case Management in Parole and Community Corrections” by Keven Pellant and Margie Phelps; “Improving Parole Outcomes with Performance Leadership and Data: Doing What Works” by Danny Hunter, George Braucht, and John Prevost; “Working Together to Improve Reentry: Bridging Budgets and Programs, Public and Private, Prison and the Community” by Ginger Martin; “Ensuring Successful Offender Reentry: Umatilla/Morrow County “Reach-In” Services” by Mark Royal; “Creating Better Transitions at Indiana’s Plainfield Reentry Educational Facility” by Michael Lloyd; “Gender-Responsive Reentry in Rhode Island: A Long and Winding Road” by Bree Derrick; and “Missouri Makes Its Move Toward a New Reentry Philosophy” by Julie Boehm.

The Transition from Prison to the Community (TPC) Initiative, launched by the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) is described. This article covers distinctive elements of the TPC Model and major implementation components.

The use of evidence-based practices to improve discretionary parole system is explained. This article is comprised of these sections: releasing the right offender at the right time; shifting to a case management model for reentry; designing a new technical parole violator (TPV) management program; development of statewide and local performance measures; and building a case for additional budget resources.

"This article examines five key attributes of partnership and collaboration deemed essential as the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) developed the Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Initiative (MPRI)" (p. 19). These elements are systems thinking, fostering unified commitment, organizing and structuring partnerships, catalyzing change, and mutual capacity building.

The Kansas Offender Risk Reduction & Reentry Plan (KOR3P) is described. Sections comprising this article are: the basics; the key of skill development; moving risk reduction into community corrections; and collaboration for progress.

"This article describes the evolution of the Georgia Parole Board's business-oriented data and performance leadership model" (p. 35). Topics covered include: business is data driven, government should be, too; Georgia's data-driven TCPI (Transition From Prison to the Community Initiative) plan; computerized information systems -- essential data to support accountability measures; managing with the right data; effective reports -- easy to access, read, and understand the causal link; performance leadership -- speak mission and what works language at every opportunity; and TPCI -- how to do what works.

Some of the improvements made to Oregon's offender reentry transition process are highlighted. Partnerships include: the Oregon Trail Card (debit card); identification and driver's license; transitional housing; family planning; pro-social supports; and the Governor's Re-Entry Council.

The use of reach-in to improve the transition process is explained. Reach-in "provides a simple method of contacting an offender prior to release from prison or jail custody for the purpose of coordinating services upon release" (p. 49). This article is comprised of these sections: Oregon's model for post-prison supervision; what reach-in is; the reach-in process; partnerships between counties and the Oregon Department of Corrections; and indicators of success -- recidivism dropped from 37.5% to 23% due in part to the contributing factor of reach-in.

This article highlights the "flagship" of Indiana's reentry initiatives -- the Plainfield Reentry Educational Facility (PREF). Sections cover: the focus is reducing recidivism; the PREF philosophy; PREF program elements -- education and vocational skills development; employment assistance, families and children reunification, financial services, and life skills; and coordination at release.

Gender-responsive offender reentry efforts for female offenders in Rhode Island are discussed. Sections contained in this article are: introduction; reentry -- a statewide focus; women's issues past and present; consciously implementing a gender-responsive approach -- assessments, program examination and updates, and field services; and challenges in reentry.

The use of the Transition from Prison to the Community (TPC) model to improve offender transition in Missouri is explained. This article contains the following sections: preparing for change; addressing barriers to success -- employment, substance abuse, mental health, education, veterans' assistance, families, and transportation; preparing for release -- Transitional Housing Unit (THU), Transition Accountability Plan (TAP), and Integrated Case Management Model; extending connections; and celebrating partnership.

Articles in this issue include:

• “Foreword” by Ken Rose
• “A Framework for Implementing Evidence-Based Practices in Pretrial Services” by John Clark
• “Advancing Evidence-Based Practices in the Pretrial Field” by Katie Green, Pat Smith, and Kristina Bryant
• “Improving Pretrial Assessment and Supervision in Colorado” by Michael R. Jones and Sue Ferrere
• “Pretrial Defendants: Are They Getting Too Much of a Good Thing?” by Barbara M. Hankey
• “Charge Specialty and Revictimization of Defendants Charged with Domestic Violence Offenses” by Spurgeon Kennedy
• “Pretrial Rearrests Among Domestic Violence Defendants in New York City” by Richard R. Peterson

The Colorado Improving Supervised Pretrial Release (CISPR) Project, an innovative pretrial initiative, is described. This article contains these sections; introduction; aims of the CISPR Project; and CISPR phases -- develop statistically validated pretrial release risk assessment instrument, match risks and interventions, educate system stakeholders, prepare documentation, assist with local implementation, and solidify progress. Phase I should last through 2008 with following phases continuing through 2009.

The use of the Step Forward program offered by the Oakland County Community Corrections Division (OCCCD) is explained. This article covers: programmatic approach -- intake assessments, case planning, services and interventions, case management, and sanctions and incentives; burning questions such as justifying the use of Step Forward by pretrial defendants and determining where to draw the line for pretrial failure; success rates compared; and next steps. Step Forward has a 93% success rate for returning defendants to the court.

Results from a study of the non-specialization of individuals charged with domestic violence (DV) and the relationship between DV and assaultive and criminal behaviors are reported. Sections of this article are: background; profile of domestic violence arrestees; risk factors and DV specialization; comparative failure rates; and conclusions. The most common rearrest charges for DV defendants are failure to appear (20.4%), contempt (7.1%), and simple assault (5.3%).

Pretrial rearrest among New York domestic violence (DV) defendants is examined. Sections contained in this article are: background; identifying DV and non-DV cases; offense patterns of DV and non-DV defendants; and conclusions. Since 9% of DV defendants are rearrested on a new DV offense, "victims may be at considerable risk of threats, intimidation, or retaliation during the pretrial period" (p. 38).