How to Open a New Institution (HONI)

Transition assistance helps local officials understand how to plan for the transition to and occupation of the new jail. It is available to jurisdictions at two points in time before the new jail opens:

Before the jurisdiction breaks ground for the new jail, a technical resource provider can work onsite to help local officials understand the major components of transition, develop criteria for selecting transition team members, and begin to create an action plan for the transition process.

After the jurisdiction has broken ground for the new jail, technical resource providers can train the transition team on the function of the jail’s mission statement; development of operational scenarios, policies, procedures, and post orders; move logistics; staff training issues; budgeting for transition; and development of an action plan for transition. If a jurisdiction is within 12 months of opening its new jail, assistance can still be provided but is limited in scope because of time constraints. A technical resource provider can help local officials and agency staff assigned to the project, identify the critical tasks required to open the facility and develop an action plan to complete those tasks.