New Division Formed, Continuing DPS Consolidation Efforts, Increasing Efficiencies and Savings
The year 2013 was one of transformation, including the integration in September of two divisions to form the Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice. The integration allows NCDPS to realize new efficiencies while providing common services to its adult and juvenile facilities in areas like medical care and maintenance. In the community, coordinating supervision of adult and juvenile offenders under a common management structure allows for increased collaboration, as many probation officers and juvenile court counselors visit clients living in the same home. The integration increases efficiencies in management and administrative support, while maintaining critical field operations and enhancing preventive and support services.
|
The division continues improvements to increase performance, achieve efficiencies and cost savings. View the new organizational chart here. Improvements made in 2013 include: > A new, centralized Security Services section that brings an integrated approach to security issues across all areas of the division — prisons, juvenile facilities and community supervision. It oversees prison security and special teams, extradition and gang-related programs for adult and juvenile offenders.
> Implementation of the electronic transfer of funds into inmate accounts that allows prison mailroom staff to focus on controlling contraband sent through the mail, simplifying the inmate release process. > A new Professional Standards Office (PSO) that brings consistency to internal investigations and the disciplinary process. The PSO will ensure that corrective actions are fair, consistent, technically accurate and in compliance with state and agency policies while allowing managers to focus on day-to-day operational responsibilities. > Combined Records is converting the current paper-based inmate record system to a digital > Reinvesting in community-based substance abuse treatment services to provide better probation outcomes and a reduction in prison admissions. > Reductions in inmate meal costs through a new statewide “meal swipe” system that keeps inmates on proper diets, prevents doubling back through serving lines for second meals, reduces waste and allows for data-driven food planning. Design Begins on Future Training Academy at Samarkand; OSDT Reorganizes to add Responsibility for Juvenile Justice In-Service Training Programs The General Assembly provided capital funding to rehabilitate the old Samarkand Youth Development Center in Moore County as a training facility, primarily for adult correction and juvenile justice officers. Design and planning is underway for this new training academy, expected to open in 2015. The Samarkand Training Academy will help the Office of Staff Development and Training (OSDT) achieve efficiencies while also training approximately 800 certified officers each year. OSDT reorganized this year to incorporate responsibility for Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice in-service training programs, as well as basic training for certified officers. Other training accomplishments this year included: > Piloting the Correctional Officer Physical Abilities Test (COPAT) helps recruit a fitter workforce more capable of meeting the physical demands of the correctional officer job. Expansion to probation/parole officers is under consideration in an effort to create a healthier workforce, and to reduce workplace injuries and worker’s compensation claims. > Continuing efforts to ensure that training, programming and operations at youth facilities remain consistent with the principles of trauma-informed care. Basic Training for all new youth facility employees was expanded to include the Think Trauma curriculum from the National Center for Child Traumatic Stress. Additionally, a team of five mental health clinicians from youth development centers completed an evidence-based training program in child- and family-based intervention for trauma disorders. |
Adult Correction & Juvenile Justice Leadership |
W. David Guice |
|
| Joseph H. Prater Deputy Commissioner Administration |
|
| Timothy D. Moose Deputy Commissioner Operations |
|
| James R. Gorham Executive Officer |
|
| Gloria George Director Professional Standards |
|
| Quick Links |
|
| Department Website |
|
 |
|
 Flicker |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 YouTube |
|
 RSS Feed |
> A multimillion-dollar reduction in inmate health care spending resulting from fewer hospital admissions, Medicaid reimbursements and more treatment at new prison medical centers. An electronic medical records system is in development to modernize healthcare record keeping.
repository. Once complete, digital records will improve workflow; eliminate loss, reduce file deterioration and storage costs; and free office space.
> The addition of two new curriculum tracks to strengthen the skills of juvenile justice staff who work directly with children.
~ Expert trainers from the National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice provided a “train-the-trainer” workshop in the delivery of the Mental Health and Juvenile Justice Training Curriculum. This adds new material to basic training for juvenile justice officers, juvenile court counselors and direct care staff in youth development centers.
~ Detention center employees were trained to deliver a 30-session curriculum titled “Risks and Decisions,” designed to facilitate readiness for change in detained youths. Youth development center staff was trained in the 100-hour REAL psycho-educational group curriculum that makes use of cognitive behavior therapy and motivational interviewing to enhance change, reduce the risk of reoffending and reduce gang involvement. The inter-related curricula are currently being delivered to confined youths at each of the juvenile facilities.
Justice Reinvestment and Evidence-Based Practices Sharpen Focus on Effective Programming for Offenders and Juveniles
The Division has reorganized its oversight of offender programming under the Rehabilitative Programs and Services section to ensure that all programs are evidence-based and focused on reducing recidivism. This new section oversees prison programs, adult and juvenile community programs, the Center for Safer Schools and Research & Planning.
Among the initiatives under way:
> PATHWAYS Project — A $1 million grant from the Vera Institute of Justice funds a five-year program to develop post-secondary education programs for inmates within two years of release. Community college classes that lead to an associate’s degree in applied science are under way at selected facilities. > Short-Term Confinement — Development of adult facilities dedicated to providing short-term confinement and specialized programming for male and female offenders who have violated probation or parole supervision (CRVs).
> Transitional Homes for Youth — Juvenile Community Programs is developing a female transitional home for girls returning from youth development centers or other residential programs who cannot return home due to an unstable environment. The home, projected to open in January 2015, will teach young women life skills necessary to live independently. The previously grant-funded male transitional home is now fully state funded by the General Assembly. This home serves young men returning from youth development centers and other residential placements who cannot return home, often due to gang involvement or unstable environments. This home boasts a 100 percent youth employment rate and enrolls its youth in community college or GED classes.
> Information Technology — DPS is building the necessary IT infrastructure to further move juvenile justice-funded community programs toward an evidence basis. Implementing the Standardized Program Evaluation Protocol (SPEP) will allow DPS to better measure program effectiveness and strengthen outcomes for youth.
> Vocational Training Programs — In partnership with Lenoir Community College, Dobbs Youth Development Center provides culinary arts instruction that leads to an entry level position in the food industry. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and 100 Gardens LLC are teaching aquaponic gardening to juveniles at Stonewall Jackson Youth Development Center. Successful completion of this curriculum leads students to employment in areas including agriculture, fish farming and ground maintenance.
Improving Public Safety with New Resources
From growing the force of probation/parole officers in our communities, to improvements in our facilities and the expansion of electronic monitoring, the division is making strides to improve public safety:
> The General Assembly established 175 new probation and parole officer positions to reach the legislative target of 60 offenders per officer and reallocated surveillance officers in response to Justice Reinvestment.
> Detention Initiative — Building upon previous efforts to educate law enforcement, judges, community partners and others about best practices regarding secure detention of juveniles, a tested detention assessment instrument was deployed across the state. Through collaboration with community partners, detention admissions were reduced 26 percent in FY12-13 from the previous year; this equates to $846,432 saved.
> Electronic Monitoring (EM) — The General Assembly funded the statewide use of new, more effective electronic monitoring equipment for offenders on community supervision. Electronic monitoring of juveniles has more than doubled and is more broadly available across the state, improving the ability to supervise juveniles who present a risk to the community without the use of secure detention.
> Reclaiming Futures has become a national model for assuring that juveniles receive timely substance abuse and mental health services, and that the community is broadly engaged with these juveniles. It has grown from six original sites to 13, serving 25 counties. In the coming months, an additional site serving four counties will be launched.
###
Contact: Crystal Feldman
Phone: (919) 733-5027