Corrections_Today_January_February_2024_Vol.86_No.1

CHRONIC CAREER STRESS p. 26

Corrections January-February 2024

Today

RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF CORRECTIONAL STAFF p.50

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American Correctional Association Corrections Today January/February 2024 Vol. 86, No. 1

Features 34

Empowering incarcerated women A brighter future through virtual reality automotive mechanic training By Lori Connolly

26 Confronting chronic career stress By John A. Shuford

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Recruitment and retention of correctional staff A national survey of challenges and strategies By Tama Celi, Ph.D., Leanne F. Alarid, Ph.D., Mike Dolny, Ph.D. and Jess King-Mohr, MA

Healthcare and the 8 th Amendment A quick look at the past in order to preserve the future By Tammy Lander, J.D., Ph.D. and Dr. Lewis Peiper

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The pivotal role probation officers play in enhancing public safety By Joe Winkler

How do reentry programs impact recidivism? By Bryan L. Kline

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2 — January/February 2024 Corrections Today

CHAPTERS AND AFFILIATES

Alabama Council on Crime and Delinquency—Albany Criminal Justice Association—Alston Wilkes Society—American Catholic Correctional Ministries—American Correctional Health Services Association—American Institute of Architects—American Jail Association—American Probation and Parole Association—Appalachian State University Student Chapter—Arizona Probation, Parole and Corrections Association—Arizona State University ACA Student Chapter—Association for Correctional Research and Information Management—Association of Correctional Food Service Affiliates— Association of Paroling Authorities International—Association of State Correctional Administrators—Association of Programs for Female Offenders—Association of Women Executives in Corrections—Bellmont High School Student Chapter—Brown Mackie College ACA Student Chapter—California Probation, Parole and Correctional Association— Caribbean Correctional Association—Champlain Valley Educational Services—Clayton State University Justice Society—Colorado Criminal Justice Association—Columbia-Greene Community College—Criminal Justice Club Student Chapter—Concordia University Sociology of Law & Justice Club—Connecticut Criminal Justice Association—Correctional Accreditation Managers Association—Correctional Association of Massachusetts—Correctional Education Association—Correctional Healthcare Providers of the United States—Council of Juvenile Correctional Administrators—District of Columbia Criminal Justice Association—Eastern Kentucky University Corrections and Juvenile Justice Student Association—Family and Corrections Network—Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency—Harrison College Criminal Justice Association Student Chapter—Hawaii Criminal Justice Association—Historical Association for Corrections—Illinois Correctional Association—Indiana Criminal Justice Association—Integrated Correctional Association of the Philippines (ICAP) Inc.—International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology—International Association of Correctional Training Personnel—International Correctional Arts Network—International Corrections and Prisons Association—International Community Corrections Association—Iowa Corrections Association—Jamaica Federation of Corrections—ITT Technical Institute ACA Student Chapter—Ivy Tech Community College Terre Haute Branch ACA Student Chapter—Juvenile Justice Trainers Association—Kansas Correctional Association—Kentucky Council on

Crime and Delinquency Inc.—Louisiana Correctional Association—Martin University Student Chapter—Maryland Criminal Justice Association— Michigan Corrections Association—Middle Atlantic States Correctional Association—Minnesota Corrections Association—Missouri Corrections Association—Missouri Western University Student Chapter—Moraine Park Technical College Corrections Club—National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice—National Association of Correctional Record Administrators and Supervisors—National Association of Juvenile Correctional Agencies— National Association of Probation Executives—National Association of Adult and Juvenile State Corrections Mental Health Directors—National Correctional Industries Association Inc.—National Council on Crime and Delinquency—National Council of Juvenile Correctional Administrators— National Juvenile Detention Association—National Major Gang Task Force—National Organization of Hispanics in Criminal Justice—National Partnership for Juvenile Services—Nebraska Correctional Association— Nevada Corrections Association—New Jersey Chapter Association—New Mexico Criminal Justice Association—New York Corrections and Youth Services Association—North American Association of Wardens and Superintendents—North Carolina Correctional Association—Northern Illinois University Academic Justice Association—Ohio Correctional and Court Services Association—Oklahoma Correctional Association— Oregon Criminal Justice Association—Parole and Probation Compact Administrators Association—Pennsylvania Association of Probation, Parole and Corrections—Pierce College Criminal Justice Club—Prison Fellowship—Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Association—Richmond Community College Student Chapter—St. Augustine’s College ACA Student Chapter—Salvation Army—South Carolina Correctional Association—Southern States Correctional Association—State University of New York–Albany—Tennessee Corrections Association— Texas Corrections Association—University of Central Missouri Student Chapter—University of Illinois/Chicago Criminal Justice Society—Utah Correctional Association—Virginia Correctional Association—Volunteers of America Inc.—Washburn University ACA Student Chapter—Washington Correctional Association—Western Illinois University Corrections Club— Western Correctional Association—Westwood College Angels—Wisconsin Correctional Association—WITC New Richmond Criminal Justice Club— Wyoming Correctional Association

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ARTICLE AND PHOTO SUBMISSIONS: Managing Editor, 206 N. Washington St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314; email submissions@ aca.org. Articles must be in Microsoft Word. Please include all contact information. Unless expressly requested in writing, all photos and artwork submitted become the property of ACA and may be used in future ACA publications. Articles and photos will not be returned unless expressly requested by author. ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Production coordinator, 800-222-5646 ext. 0019. Written inquiries should be mailed to 206 N. Washington St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314. Statements contained in Corrections Today are the personal views of the authors and do not constitute ACA policy unless so indicated. ACA does not assume responsibility for the content of Corrections Today as submitted by contributors, reserves the right to edit all articles and, if necessary, condense them. The publication of any advertisement by ACA is neither an endorsement of the

ACA EXECUTIVE OFFICE AND DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Robert L. Green James A. Gondles Jr., CAE, Executive Director Emeritus DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jeffrey Washington CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Ben Nalette, CPA SENIOR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT India Vargas CONVENTIONS, ADVERTISING AND CORPORATE RELATIONS DIRECTOR Kelli McAfee INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACTING DIRECTOR Ben Nalette, CPA INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES Elizabeth Gondles, Ph.D. — Chief Executive Officer Global Corrections Service MEMBERSHIP AND ENGAGEMENT MANAGER Roberta Gibson OFFICE OF CORRECTIONAL HEALTH DIRECTORS Terri L. Catlett — Director Dr. Dean Aufderheide — Director of Mental Health PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, MEMBERSHIP COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR Kirk Raymond

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MISSION STATEMENT: The American Correctional Association provides a professional organization for all individuals and groups, both public and private, that share a common goal of improving the justice system. Corrections Today (ISSN 0190-2563, USPS 019-640) is published four times a year in June/July/August, September/ October/November, December/January/February and March/ April/May by the American Correctional Association, 206 N. Washington St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314; 703-224-0000. Send any changes to Corrections Today, Attn: Membership Department, 206 N. Washington St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314. Subscriptions are included in annual membership dues. Nonmember subscription rates are $25 per year for Corrections Today ($36 value) or $6 per issue. Printed in USA. Vol. 86, No. 1. Copyright 2024 by the American Correctional Association.

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Corrections Today January/February 2024 — 3

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News&Views

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From Rob’s Desk 8 Correctional Chaplain Perspectives

14 NIJ Update 22 Speak Out 63 ACA Featured Departments

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Welcome New Members

66

Certification List

67

Bookshelf

68

Annual Index of Corrections Today Articles — 2023

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72

Corrections Calendar

74

Index to Advertisers/ Product Index

4 — January/February 2024 Corrections Today

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For more information, email healthcare@aca.org

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From Rob’s Desk NEWS&VIEWS

Reshaping the conversation

F or far too long, the public conversation about corrections has been a one-sided and often sensational ized narrative. As we work to uphold justice and protect the public, it’s essential we re-shape the conversation about our profession. That means all corrections profes sionals need to reclaim the narrative and educate the public about the true nature of our work. By sharing our ex periences, success stories and the true challenges we face, we can create a more accurate picture of the important role corrections plays in our society and the positive nature of our work. Taking control of the narrative also requires addressing the miscon ceptions and myths that surround corrections. By actively engag ing with the media and the public, we can challenge stereotypes and provide a more balanced view of our profession and the incredible people doing it. This will foster bet ter understanding and accentuate the positive support we receive for the vital work we do and provide posi tive reinforcement against what feels like constant criticism.

It’s vitally important we take ownership of the narrative and en sure our voices are heard. By telling our story, we can counter negative perceptions, build public trust and advocate for the resources and sup port needed to carry out this critical work. This will also create interest in becoming part of these dynamic work teams. Taking control of the narra tive around corrections is crucial for shaping public perceptions and garnering interest in the transforma tive nature of our profession. By sharing our experiences, challeng ing misconceptions and highlighting our successes, we can create a more accurate and balanced understanding of the important work that we do. I challenge you to take the initiative to shape the narrative and tell our story, the “Story of Us.”

In telling our own story, we can highlight the innovative and trans formative practices taking place within every aspect of corrections. Whether it is juvenile systems, local jails, prisons, community cor rections, rehabilitation programs and restorative justice initiatives, there are countless examples of how corrections professionals are making a meaningful impact on individuals and communities. By sharing these stories, we can inspire others and demonstrate positive outcomes can be achieved through our work. It’s vitally important we take ownership of the narrative and ensure our voices are heard.

Sincerely,

Robert L. Green ACA Executive Director

6 — January/February 2024 Corrections Today

Performance-Based Expected Practices for Adult Correctional Institutions, Fifth Edition AVAILABLE NOW! Updated and available now in your choice of print or digital format!

Includes expected practices covering the critical program areas for effective institutional management, safety procedures, security, rules and discipline, staff development, physical plant and health care services.

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7

NEWS&VIEWS

CORRECTIONAL CHAPLAIN PERSPECTIVES

Pendulum swings in New York State Corrections From pig farming to truck driving By Hans Hallundbaek D ealing with wrongdoers has varied widely throughout human history. From ancient the soil, raised pigs, harvested ice in the winter and eventually were hired out into the surrounding community for housework and to tend vegetable gardens at local homes. Soft skills gradually swung away from the re formatory model and became one of “serving the time.” In the 1960’s the pendulum swing accelerated. Enacted in 1973,

times we have reports of offenders being thrown off a cliff to their death for minor offences. In recent history, penalties for wrongdoing have varied from tough to soft, from punitive to restorative. Over time we have seen a multitude of models applied. New York State is no exception, with dramatic pendulum swings in the last one hundred and twenty years. In 1901, the New York State es tablished a Reformatory for Women in the small Township of Bedford in bucolic northern Westchester County, where farming and vegetable gardens around people’s homes were still the norm. Train service was recently introduced, making it convenient to send women out of town, who in the rapidly growing, bustling city of New York thirty miles to the south, had fallen into crime or “ill repute.” Stories from now deceased old timers still linger, recalling as town events the frequent arrival of small groups of new reformatory residents who were being driven from the new train station through town in open horse carriages to the fence less facility. Here in a soft approach, they were introduced to learning the value of physical labor. They worked

like music, art, and theater were considered important parts of the curriculum, and as some of the old photos will show, the living accom modations were exemplary. With a rapidly increasing influx of residents, the reformatory eventually suffered from overpopulation and was taken over by New York State Department of Correction in 1926, and over the decades the pendulum

the Rockefeller Drug Laws man dated lengthy prison sentences for people convicted of a range of felony drug offenses, heralding a wave of mandatory sentencing that led to overcrowding and double bunking. As the last of the drug laws became repealed in 2009, the prisoner popu lation slowly diminished. However, during the height of the incarceration boom in the

Adobe Stock/littlewolf1989

8 — January/February 2024 Corrections Today

Correctional Chaplain Perspectives

nineteen nineties, the prison system experienced an increasing openness to outside volunteer organizations offering education and training for those incarcerated, and over the last quarter of a century an impressive list of programming has been expe rienced at both Bedford Hills and neighboring Taconic Correctional Facilities. These programs, no longer limited to outreach from religious organizations, present a broad range from the Alternative to Violence (AVP) and Rehabilitation Through the Art (RTA) programs, to full scale college curriculum, including a Mas ter of Theology program recently introduced by New York Theological Seminary. Developing practical job skills Developing practical job training skills is encouraged by the prison system. Next time you call up the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to ask how to get a driver’s license, find a local DMV office or register a new vehicle, you may hear the friendly voice of one of the many incarcerated women who are job training at the DMV Call-in-Center at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. Advanced technology has also found its way into the Bedford Hills facility. Like airline pilots have for years trained on sophisticated flight simulators, a similar technology is now available for the training re quired to drive the eighteen-wheeler trucks crisscrossing the continent on our enormous highway-based distri bution system for all kinds of goods and fresh food. A truck simulator has been installed at the Bedford Hills CF, manufactured from actual truck

parts, and featuring a 180-degree forward view on large TV screens, rearview mirrors, 3-d sound systems, and it is programmed to simulate a multitude of road, traffic, and weather conditions, including a tire blow-out. The opportunity to train for a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and a well-paying job upon release is not lost on the incarcerated women, and they are lining up for training. The opportunity to train for a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and a well paying job upon release is not lost on the incarcerated women, and they are lining up for training. Connecting facilities and their communities Between the community out reach, education, cooperation, and volunteering, it is like the town has adopted its two local prisons, simi lar to communities who adopt the State Highway running through their territory. That is exactly what the Town of Bedford has ventured to

do: adopting its female correctional facilities. Not in a hostile takeover, but in a compassionate, measured outreach and in close cooperative efforts with the prison superinten dents of the two facilities and with the New York State Department of Correction. In this community outreach to its local prisons, the past is remembered. An almost forgotten cemetery lo cated between Bedford Hills and the Taconic prison next door holding the remains of about one hundred women and children has been refurbished, and name plates added to gravestones which originally only showed the inmate number assigned. For the last five years, those interred here are remembered annually in a moving All Soul’s Day commemoration presided over by prison chaplain, Deacon Cliff Calanni. Rightfully so, the commu nity has provided in its soil an eternal resting place for those who arrived here as strangers. A vital key to the success of this cooperation between the town of Bedford and the two correctional facilities has been the development of a Prison Relations Advisory Com mittee (PRAC) to the Bedford Town Board. Key members on the PRAC committee are the superintendents of the two correctional facilities, as well as the Bedford Town Supervisor, in addition to prominent community and clergy members. Ellen Calves, Bedford Town Supervisor says, “I am proud of the many steps our town has taken to enhance understanding and seize mutually beneficial opportunities.” She continues, “Before the Adopt-a Prison concept came about and the Town formed the Prison Relations

Corrections Today January/February 2024 — 9

NEWS&VIEWS

Advisory Committee, I do not believe the town leaders and commu nity felt they needed to acknowledge the existence of the two correctional facilities within our borders. Now that we have these relationships, and no other agenda but to understand one another and enhance relations, we know that many good things can come from knowing about all the people working and living in and connected to the prisons.” Seeking the good of others It seems timely that a major work on prison reform issues has just been published by Matthew T. Martens, a trial lawyer at an interna tional D.C. law firm and a graduate from Dallas Theological Seminary, entitled “Reforming Criminal

people made in the image of God as worthy of love merely because they are human.” Thanks to enlightened leadership in the New York Department of Cor rections combined with local humane outreach efforts, the reformatory con cept of 1901 seems well on its way to coming full circle, and only a step away from restorative justice efforts already in progress.

Hans Hallundbaek, M-Div., D-Min. New York Theological Seminary. Twenty five years of teaching and service chaplaincy work in Sing Sing Correctional Facility.

Justice,” A Christian Perspective. In his book Martens is focused on the Christian mandate to love the neigh bor as ourselves, and in a recent interview said, “In a nutshell, to love, as Christians understand it, is to will and seek the good of another as an end in itself, ... we view other

Founder of Interfaith Prison Partnership (IPP) and co-founder of Rehabilitation through the Arts (RTA).

Setting a NEW Standard in Jails! American Correctional Association

• Enhance professionalism • Improve conditions of confinement • Enhance operations • Improve public credibility • Increase morale

Accreditation: Excellence in Jails “The ACA accreditation process is a mechanism of checks and balances, and causes correctional systems to assess all facets of their organization. When we take a critical examination of our organizational processes, it offers an opportunity for internal oversight. Correctional systems can identify challenges, discover solutions and implement operational best practices which will significantly improve organizational efficiencies.”

–Tony Wilkes, Chief of Corrections, Davidson County Sheriff’s Office (TN)

American Correctional Association Standards and Accreditation Department

Phone: (800) 222-5646 Email: davidh@aca.org • Web: www.aca.org

10 — January/February 2024 Corrections Today

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Correctional Nurse Manager Certification

The CCNM First Edition Study Guide NOW AVAILABLE!

• The CCNM certification cate- gory includes individuals who work as nurse managers in a correctional environment. • They are management staff who may contribute to the development of policy and

procedures, are responsible for their implementation and have authority over staff nurses.

For more information, please email healthcare@aca.org or call 703-224-0049

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Correctional Nurse Manager Training and Certification Curriculum

Module 1 — Health Care in Corrections Section 1A – Appropriate and Necessary Health Care Section 1B – Access to Care Section 1C – Total Quality Management Section 1D – Prevention of Contagion Module 2 — Legal Issues in Corrections Section 2A – History of Correctional Law Section 2B – Inmate Rights v. Inmate Privileges Section 2C – Landmark Court Cases Section 2D – Inmate Grievances Section 2E – Confidentiality Section 3A – Basics of Mental Illness Section 3B – Mental Health Assessments Section 3C – Crisis Intervention Section 3D – Suicide Prevention Section 3E – Trauma Informed Care Section 3F – The Multidisciplinary Service Team and Multidisciplinary Treatment Team Section 3G – Managing Disruptive Inmates Section 4A – Scope and Nature of Correctional Nursing Section 4B – Understanding the Standards of Correctional Nurse Practice Section 4C – Understanding the Standards of Professional Performance Section 4D – Ethics Section 4E – Accreditation Module 4 — Nursing Practice and Accreditation Module 3 — Behavioral Health

Module 5 — Security Section 5A – Equipment/Supplies Accountability Section 5B – Inspections and Investigations Section 5C – Problem Inmates Section 5D – Emergencies Module 6 — General and Inmate Management Section 6A – Special Needs Inmates Section 6B – Policy and Procedures Section 6C – Communication Section 6D – Classification Section 6E – Health Education Programs Module 7 — Conflict Management Section 7A – Staff Conflict Management Section 7B – Inmate Conflict Management Section 7C – Mediation Section 7D – Staff Grievances Module 8 — Human Resource Management Section 8A – Staff Management Section 8B – Recruitment and Retention Section 8C – Staff Development

Eligibility Requirements: Certified Correctional Nurse Manager (CCNM)

• RN license in good standing with corresponding state nursing board

• 2 years of correctional nurse management experience; supervises other medical personnel and administrative staff

• Associate, Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Master of Science (M.S.) in Nursing or completion of an accredited nursing program

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NEWS&VIEWS

NIJ UPDATE

Transforming correctional culture and climate Innovations from the field By Nancy La Vigne

The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publi cation are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Borrowing from innovations abroad, U.S. correctional facilities are piloting more hu mane living environments that are grounded in principles of restorative justice to support rehabilitation and enhance safety for all who work and reside in them. P eople are sentenced to prison to be removed from soci ety, where ideally, they are rehabilitated so that they lead pro ductive and law-abiding lives upon their release. Unfortunately, prison environments are not always con ducive to this goal. Some facilities have substandard and unsafe living conditions, where threats of violence are commonplace. And some have correctional cultures that establish an “us against them” relationship between correctional officers and the people in their custody and care. The command-and-control culture of more traditionally operated correc tional facilities can breed a mindset among officers that if they authenti cally engage with people who are incarcerated, they will become vul nerable to manipulation. Moreover, the operations of many correctional

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settings remove all agency from incarcerated individuals, making them ill-prepared to adopt healthy habits and made decisions upon their release. In addition, many traditional correctional environments have no means of constructively responding to those who violate rules and harm others in a restorative manner, rather than issuing infractions or using restrictive housing. These types of environments are harmful for all who live and work in them. Correctional officers may experience high rates of stress that

can affect their physical and mental health and can also adversely affect their behaviors and relationships in both their professional and personal lives. Incarcerated people may live in fear and experience both vicarious and direct trauma that could compro mise their mental and physical health and their ability to benefit from prison programs, education, and treatment opportunities. These environments not only increase the likelihood of trauma but also hinder the ability of people who are incarcerated to develop prosocial

14 — January/February 2024 Corrections Today

NIJ

ways of thinking, living, and inter acting with others. These factors likely influence the high recidivism rate in the United States, along with the alarmingly high rates of cor rectional officer attrition in jails and prisons. Despite this dire picture, examples from other countries dem onstrate that correctional facilities can establish safer, more humane, and more restorative environments. Correctional agencies in the United States are beginning to pilot these models, and early indications suggest that these transformative settings offer promising alternatives to tradi tional prison and jail environments and operations. Looking outside the United States for inspiration In recent years, some U.S. correc tional systems have looked toward Western European and Scandinavian countries for models that can trans form the culture in prisons, making for more rehabilitative environments and promoting greater safety for all. Countries like Denmark, Germa ny, Norway, and Sweden view prison as an opportunity to promote rehabil itation and a successful return to the community. The goal is not to inflict further punishment but rather to create a supportive environment that mirrors life outside prison as much as possible. This is accomplished through intensive rehabilitative services, a well-trained correctional workforce, and more humane prison conditions. In Norway, for example, correc tions officers are trained to play an active role in the rehabilitation of people in their custody and care,

engaging them in health-focused programming, providing intensive mentorship, and modeling positive socialization. Officers employ incen tives and motivational interviewing, a counselling method designed to coach individuals to acknowledge and draw from their strengths and reconsider ways of thinking that lead to negative and harmful behaviors. The goal is not to inflict further punishment but rather to create a supportive environment that mirrors life outside prison as much as possible. According to Synøve Andersen, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oslo and a principal investigator on the Scandinavian Prison project evaluation, the increased global attention on Scan dinavian correctional policies can, in part, be attributed to the country’s reported recidivism rates of 20-30% — considerably lower than those in the United States — and media atten tion on Norway’s Bastøy and Halden prisons. Following the example of their Scandinavian counterparts, correc tions leaders in at least a dozen U.S.

states have implemented programs that incorporate aspects of Norway’s and Sweden’s correctional policies. While it is too early to assess the impacts of these new programs, these pilots illustrate new strategies to establish improved cultures and cli mates within American prisons and jails, holding promise for yielding better outcomes for those who work and are confined in them. The following discussions detail two programs based on the Scandina vian model. One, Little Scandinavia, aims to impact staff safety and well ness and is currently used at a state correctional institution. The other, Amend, focuses on training and as sistance for U.S. corrections officials. Little Scandinavia: Incorporating Scandinavian concepts into a state correctional facility At Pennsylvania’s Chester State Correctional Institution, correc tions officials have partnered with researchers from Drexel University and the University of Oslo to incor porate concepts from Scandinavian prisons and evaluate their impact on the wellness of staff and incarcer ated individuals, prison culture, and recidivism. The “Little Scandinavia” unit looks unlike any other in the medi um-security prison, boasting single cells, custom furniture, a communal kitchen, and an outdoor green space. Corrections officers on the Little Scandinavia project have traveled to Norway to work alongside peer men tors in their facilities. They have also received training in conflict resolu tion, suicide prevention, and other relevant skills. →

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In 2020, six men moved into Little Scandinavia as part of the pilot program. Although the program was delayed due to COVID-19, more participants were moved into Little Scandinavia throughout 2022, and the unit reached full capacity in No vember 2022. New residents of Little Scandi navia are chosen through a lottery system, which ensures that anyone housed in SCI Chester is eligible. “This is not an honor block. This is not a specialized housing unit. This is a general population housing unit that employs a very different model of corrections,” said Jordan Hyatt, a criminology and justice studies professor at Drexel Uni versity and a principal investigator on the Scandinavian Prison project evaluation. Following the Scandinavian model, the unit benefits from a low ratio of staff to incarcerated men, with an average of one officer per every 64 men versus the typical ratio for SCI Chester of one officer to every 128 men.

Restoring Promise creates prison housing units grounded in human dignity for young adults between 18 to 25 years old.

departments of correction learn about and adopt practices from the Norwe gian Correctional Service. Amend supports programs in California, Oregon, Washington, Minnesota, and North Dakota. Because U.S. and Norwegian cul tures differ, Amend does not directly apply Norwegian correctional policy or practice to its programs. Instead, it draws inspiration for potential reforms from Norway’s approach. For example, North Dakota cor rectional officials and staff members traveled to Norway in 2015. Follow ing the trip, North Dakota enacted policy changes that reduced the use of solitary confinement by nearly 75% between 2016 and 2020. The initial feedback on these efforts to reduce solitary confine ment has been positive, according to North Dakota officials. Both incar cerated individuals and correctional staff report that the reforms are responsible for increased trust and reduced antagonism between the two groups. Corrections staff have also report ed enhanced job satisfaction, reduced stress, and increased safety. Mean while, corrections leaders say violent infractions have remained stable or even improved following the change to the solitary confinement policy.

Little Scandinavia embodies an effort to create a more humane prison environment, including a dramatic shift in how staff and the incarcerat ed population interact. The program is intended to allow everyone living and working in the unit to focus on successful reintegration into society. Hyatt credits local and state corrections leaders for their strong support of Little Scandinavia, noting that it was of critical importance in starting the project. When it comes to challenging long-held beliefs of what corrections should look like, Hyatt says it is the correctional officers involved in Little Scandinavia who have demonstrated that such pro grams hold potential. “The staff at the front lines of this project really are the ones who are the most responsible for carrying forward the cultural change. They are the best ambassadors for this project,” he said. Amend Program offers international exchange and officer training Amend is a program of the Uni versity of California, San Francisco (UCSF) that supports international exchange, officer training, and tech nical assistance designed to help U.S.

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Table 1: Reform Efforts at a Glance

Program

Location

Population

Program Inception

Restoring Promise*

Multiple

Varied

2017

SCI Chester Chester, PA

Little Scandinavia

General population

March 2020

Stafford Creek Corrections Center Aberdeen, WA

Men incarcerated in restrictive housing unit

Amend

October 2020

Men who are between 1–4 years away from release and pose a medium to high risk of recidivating post-release

Kewanee Life Skills Re-Entry Center

Kewanee, IL

February 2017

Women Overcoming Recidivism Through Hard Work (WORTH) I

York Correctional Institution Niantic, CT

Young women ages 18–25

June 2018

Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility Ordway, CO

Change Maker’s Village

Young men ages 18–25

December 2021

North Dakota State Penitentiary Bismarck, ND

UNITY Village

Young men ages 18–25

February 2022

* Multi-site; details below

Restoring promise: A promising model based on the “Normaliza tion Principle” Perhaps the most well-established institutional reform effort is the Re storing Promise initiative, a project led by the Vera Institute of Justice (Vera) and the MILPA Collective (MILPA), is a national initiative that works to transform the living and working conditions for people in jails and prisons, especially young adults. Restoring Promise creates prison housing units grounded in human dignity for young adults between 18 to 25 years old. Following the “normalization principle,” Restoring

Promise partners with departments of corrections to create environments in which young adults are guided by specially trained staff and mentors (older incarcerated people serving long or life sentences) to hold each other accountable for following a daily routine inside a facility. The program mirrors life on the outside as closely as possible and includes connecting with family and commu nity regularly for support, resolving conflict without violence, and us ing restorative practices instead of punishment when community agree ments (prison rules) are broken. Restoring Promise sites sup port corrections professionals and

mentors working as teams to create a supportive community environment. Everyone on the unit develops work shops and educational opportunities that help the young adults navigate prison successfully and prepare them for returning to their communities. Mentors and staff equip the young adults with practical, social, and emotional skills to earn a living and lead law-abiding, productive lives both behind bars and after release. Restoring Promise supports young adult housing units in pris ons in Connecticut, South Carolina, Colorado, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Idaho (currently in the planning stages), and a county jail in

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The evaluation also compared outcomes for the control group from the randomized controlled trial and a matched group from general popu lation. Results of this comparison indicate that those who applied to be housed in Restoring Promise units but were ultimately not placed there experience similar outcomes to those who do not apply. This indicates that the differences in outcomes observed in the randomized controlled trial are due to the Restoring Promise hous ing units and not to characteristics of who chose to apply. This finding offers strong evidence to support a new, scalable, and replicable model for improving safety in correctional settings. Review the final report describing the evaluation as submitted to NIJ. were ultimately not placed there experience similar outcomes to those who do not apply. Results of this comparison indicate that those who applied to be housed in Restoring Promise units but

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Massachusetts (see Table 2: Restor ing Promise Pilot Sites). Across all locations, young adults have been charged with or convicted of various crimes, including serious offenses such as armed robbery and homi cide. Staff and mentors are trained in restorative justice, young adult development, family engagement, and international and national best practices. The Vera and MILPA staff spear heading these pilots are careful to note that Restoring Promise is a phi losophy not a model. This allows the incarcerated people and correctional staff in each facility to co-create the specific ways in which the environ ment will be transformed, allowing for differences in correctional envi ronments and engendering buy-in from those who reside and work in each unit. A three-year randomized con trolled trial funded by the National Institute of Justice, led by Vera in

partnership with the MILPA Collec tive and in collaboration with the South Carolina Department of Cor rections, found that residents who participated in Restoring Promise were 73% less likely to be convicted of a violent infraction after one year. Participating in the program was also associated with an 83% decrease in the odds of placement in restrictive housing, and there was no significant increase in misconduct. Additionally, correctional officers assigned to the housing unit implementing Restoring Promise — the Community Op portunity Restoration Enhancement (CORE) — at Turbeville Correction al Institution reported lower stress and greater quality of work life. Specifically: – 88% felt less stress working in the unit. – 89% reported an improved quality of life. – 91% felt that they had grown professionally.

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Table 2: Restoring Promise Pilot Sites

Institution and Restoring Promise Unit

State

Established

Description

Connecticut’s T.R.U.E. unit, housed within the Cheshire Correc tional Institution, is the longest- running Restoring Promise site. T.R.U.E. stands for truthfulness, respectfulness, understanding, and elevating. Cheshire is a maximum-security facility for men, which expanded to a second housing unit in 2021. There are 25 mentors working with 100 young adults. During the day, there are 12–15 staff. Connecticut also houses the only Restoring Promise site at a women’s prison. W.O.R.T.H., which stands for women overcom ing recidivism through hard work, is housed at York Correctional Institution. York is a maximum-security facility for women. There are eight mentors working with 30 young adults. During the day, there are 8 staff. The C.O.R.E. Village stands for community opportunity restoration enhancement (CORE) housing unit. CORE is housed at South Carolina’s Turbeville Correctional Institute, a medium-security facility for men. CORE is designed for young adults sentenced under a state law that allows judges to give either a sentence of less than three years or specialized parole supervision. There are 15 mentors working with 50 young men. During the day, there are 2–3 staff. Cadre of H.O.P.E. (helping other people evolve) is housed at Lee Correctional Institute, a maximum-security prison for men. The aver age sentence for young adults is 18 years, and 85 percent of young men at Lee are Black — higher than the national average for similar offenses. There are 15 mentors working with 56 young men. During the day, there are 2–3 staff. The Change Maker’s Village is housed at Colorado’s Arkansas Val ley Correctional Facility, a medium-security facility for men. There are 11 mentors supporting 60 young adults. During the day, there are 9 staff. U.N.I.T.Y. (using natural integrity for teaching youth) Village is located at North Dakota State Penitentiary, a maximum security for men. There are 15 mentors supporting 45 young adults. During the day, there are 6 staff. The Middlesex House of Correction and Jail is the only jail in the Restoring Promise initiative. P.A.C.T. stands for people achieving change together. Being a jail, there is a speedy rotation of both young adults and mentors on the unit, but usually there are 6 men tors working with 35 young adults. During the day, there are 4 staff.

Cheshire Correctional Institution | T.R.U.E. Unit

Connecticut

2017

York Correctional Institution | Women Overcoming Recidivism Through Hard Work (WORTH)

Connecticut

2018

Turbeville Correctional Institution | CORE Village

South Carolina

2018

Lee Correctional Institution | Cadre of HOPE

South Carolina

2019

Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility | Change Maker’s Village

Colorado

2021

North Dakota State Penitentiary | UNITY Village

North Dakota

Middlesex Sheriff’s Office | P.A.C.T. Community

Massachusetts

2018

→

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Complementary initiatives support transforming correctional culture and climate Correctional agencies in the United States are making impor tant strides to establish safer, more humane, and more restorative environments. Beyond the programs described above, other initiatives exist to help identify and share evidence-based practices and experi ences in an effort to meet that goal. In recognition that these new ways of thinking about prison environments require the buy in and support of correctional leaders, programs that connect correc tions professionals, like the Prison Fellowship’s Warden Exchange program can provide a helpful foundation for spreading knowledge about emerging transformational programs. This program convenes wardens, deputy wardens, associate wardens, top corrections specialists and subject matter experts in a nine month leadership training program that examines and applies best practices for creating safer and more rehabilitative prisons. Additionally, the Urban Institute’s Prison Research and Innovation

Initiative , an effort to build evidence and spur innovation to make prisons more humane, safe, and rehabili tative environments, could also complement these pilots. The Initia tive employs research that actively and inclusively engages all people closest to the issue — both those in confinement and staff of all levels and roles — to identify the prob lems and develop solutions that are research-informed and most likely to produce the desired impacts. While these programs are just two examples of initiatives that aim to transform correctional culture and climate, the continued piloting of more humane living environments works to support the rehabilitation and success of incarcerated indi viduals as well as the safety of those working in correctional environ ments. The programs described here are an important step in advancing restorative justice and enhancing public safety.

Mark Your Calendars! Join us for future ACA Winter Conferences and Congresses of Correction! 154 th Congress of Correction Nashville, TN Aug. 15–18, 2024 2025 Winter Conference Orlando, FL Jan. 10–14, 2025 155 th Congress of Correction Denver, CO Aug. 21–26, 2025 2026 Winter Conference

Nancy La Vigne, Ph.D., is the director of the National Institute of Justice and is an expert on corrections policy and practice and a researcher in the field.

Long Beach, CA Feb. 5–10, 2026

Correctional agencies in the United States are making important strides to establish safer, more humane, and more restorative environments.

20 — January/February 2024 Corrections Today