Corrections_Today_September_October_2021_Vol.83_No.5

Human Connections p. 22

The Future of Job Training p. 18 Today Corrections September/October 2021

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American Correctional Association Corrections Today September/October 2021 Vol. 83, No. 5

Features 18

The future of job training By Amy Larsen, Jason Gunther and Renee Corriveau

28 Dental care in a correctional setting By Dr. M.B. Hirsch 32 Quality assurance and quality control in corrections By Paul Martin

22 Human connections Using self-reflection to gain

insights for improving relationships and reducing recidivism By Kyle L. Roberson and K. Alexander

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To Zoom or not to Zoom: The use of technology to further educational goals in the correctional setting during a pandemic and beyond By Kimberly Collica-Cox, Ph.D.

Cover photo courtesy Nancy Ayers, Federal Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Department of Justice

2 — September/October 2021 Corrections Today

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OFFICERS President Tony C. Parker, Tennessee Immediate Past President Gary C. Mohr, Ohio Vice President Tony M. Wilkes, Tennessee President-Elect Denise M. Robinson, Ohio Treasurer Harbans S. Deol, Ph.D., Nebraska Board of Governors Representatives Elizabeth F. “Beth” Arthur Derrick D. Schofield, Ph.D. Secretary James A. Gondles Jr., CAE, Virginia EDITORIAL STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF James A. Gondles Jr., CAE Managing Editor Kirk Raymond GRAPHICS AND PRODUCTION STAFF Graphic Designer Carla DeCarlo ADVERTISING AND MARKETING STAFF Director, Conventions, Advertising and Corporate Relations Kelli McAfee Production Coordinator Mary Misisco ACA Executive Office and Directors Executive Director James A. Gondles Jr., CAE Deputy Executive Director Jeffrey Washington senior executive Assistant India Vargas

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. Microfilm: Corrections Today is available for electronic reproduction through ProQuest Information and Learning Co., 300 N. Zeeb Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1346; 313-761-4700.

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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 advertiser nor of the products or services advertised. ACA is not responsible for any claims made in advertisements. 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 six times a year in January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, November/ December by the American Correctional Association, 206 N. Washington St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314; 703-224-0000. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, VA 22314 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address 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. Send change of address notice and a recent mailing label to Membership and Customer Service Department, ACA, 60 days before the actual change of address. ACA will not replace undelivered copies resulting from an address change. Printed in USA. Vol. 83, No. 5. Copyright 2021 by the American Correctional Association.

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Corrections Today September/October 2021 — 3

6 News&Views From Jim’s Desk 8 Correctional Chaplain Perspectives 12 NIJ Update 47 ACA Featured Departments 6

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48 Welcome New Members 50 Certification List 51 E.R. Cass Award Nomination Form 54 Corrections Calendar 56 Index to Advertisers/ Product Index

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The American Correctional Association is fully engaged in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. ACA has taken the lead to provide its members around the world with vital information geared to protecting the health and safety of correctional professionals everywhere. From webinars, produced by ACA’s Office of Correctional Health, to the latest information that focuses on managing the stress of uncertainty by taking care of you, ACA’s re- sponse has been intelligent, knowledgeable and thorough. In an unprecedented display of servant-leadership, ACA has brought together its sponsors, supporters and other correctional organizations to give valuable and much need- ed resources to those who need it at no charge. To stay abreast of this “emerging, rapidly evolving situation,” we en- courage you to visit the ACA website regularly. There you will find online COVID-19 resources, important information, messages from our leadership and ACA’s “Wall of Honor” which lists our correctional heroes who gave their last full measure in fighting this insidious virus.

4 — September/October 2021 Corrections Today

The Wall of Honor

A dedication to the corrections professionals who gave their last full measure.

When the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic struck, lives were upended every- where. Some lives were lost and, unfortunately, the loss of life continues to rise daily. Most of us know that it is the “first responders” to whom we owe an unpayable debt. And among those brave individuals, standing front and center, are the proud men and women of corrections. It is with heavy hearts that we join grief-stricken families and loved ones to express our heartfelt sympathies for those who have died be- cause of this insidious virus. Visit www.aca,org to view the most current list of names of the corrections professionals who gave their last full measure.

Visit www.aca.org and click on the “Wall of Honor” spotlight link.

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From Jim’s Desk nEWS&vIEWS

Winter in Phoenix

H aving completed the 151 st Congress of Correction in Nashville, Tennessee, we have made several decisions for our upcoming 2022 Winter Conference. The Congress was a success by most measures including attendance and our training sessions. Both Plenary Sessions had standing room only, with many attendees doing just that, standing for the entire 90 minutes. Our tentative plans for Phoenix, Arizona, where our next conference is scheduled, is to make our sessions available electronically for those who cannot attend in person. We do not plan to pre-record any training tracks, only to make live sessions available for a period of time follow- ing the conference by recording the live session. We are contemplating special- ized training pre-conference for certain disciplines. Those specialized training blocks would likely be on Wednesday, the day before the actual Winter Conference begins. Examples of this training may include “use

of separation in juvenile justice”, and “auditor chair training” as possibilities. The 2022 Winter Conference begins on January 6 in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. Make plans early to attend, we filled our hotel room blocks quickly in Nashville, so be prepared to book your rooms as soon as possible. “Stay safe” has become a watch word in our country since COVID-19 became a reality. If you

haven’t already done so, please get vaccinated, the FDA has approved several vaccines already and others will certainly be approved. In the meantime, enjoy your fall season, and “stay safe”!

James A. Gondles Jr., CAE ACA Executive Director

6 — September/October 2021 Corrections Today

Correctional Behavioral Health Training and Certification Program

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n Adult Correctional Officers n Juvenile Justice Professionals n Allied Behavioral Health Staff n Community Corrections Officers

“The CBHCTraining programhas beenan important tool tohelpour correctional officers get the training and subsequent certification they need toproperly care

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For more information, email healthcare@aca.org

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nEWS&vIEWS

Correctional Chaplain Perspectives

A New Wind Blows in Prison By Hans Hallundbaek and Sharon Griest Ballen, MSW, LCSW N o sooner had the world begun to accept the reality of climate change than the Whether we like change or not, a persistent new wind is blowing. We are reminded of the old Chinese proverb, “Nothing is permanent

only 5% of the global population. Change is inevitable! These ongo- ing challenges bombarding us over the last few years have led to a new enlightenment and recognition of the need for societal change, includ- ing within the prison system. On a national scale, this recognition is intensifying efforts to address the issues of the death penalty, solitary confinement, parole reform, reentry training and much more. Adapt-A-Prison Slow, but steady, change can be seen in an increased understanding of correctional settings as well as with the public’s increased understanding the prevailing punitive stance on law offenders must be shifted towards a more restorative approach. This public interest in, and concern for, the human beings incarcerated in its midst reached a new level of community engage- ment in the fall of 2018 when the nonprofit organization, Interfaith Prison Partnership (IPP) introduced an innovative pilot program called Adopt-A-Prison (AAP) in two of the three female correctional facilities (Bedford Hills and Taconic) in New York State. A year later, in Westches- ter County, the local Town Board of the Town of Bedford unanimously

COVID-19 virus ravaged the global community. In rapid succession, we have seen changes in the geopolitical power structure, a growing move- ment for a radical shift in our social fabric and an infrastructure renewal. At the same time there is a demand to shore up our threatened democ- racy and a critical need to address issues of racial disparity, police reform and more.

except change.” As these truths play out in real time, we wonder whether such challenges will reach hurricane level before they subside, and a new calm emerges. Coinciding with these shifts is the untenable fact that America is the world’s leader in incarcerating its own citizens, holding 25% of the world’s incarcerated people, with

“… there will be a time for every activity and a time for every deed.” — Ecclesiastes 3:17

istock/sharply_done

8 — September/October 2021 Corrections Today

Correctional Chaplain Perspectives

agreed to establish an 18-member Prison Relations Advisory Commit- tee (PRAC) to coordinate the AAP pilot program. The key aspect of the AAP pro- gram and the PRAC activities is a top-level, close cooperation between the local community, led by the Town Supervisor, and the Superin- tendents of these two prisons — all geared towards community resources being applied to a more productive quality of life for those in prison. Successful reentry is a major issue and a critical one for survival back in society when measured by the staggering recidivism rate. The effectiveness and success of this model was proven during the COVID–19 pandemic, when the project collected and donated tens of thousands of bars of soap, face masks, disinfectant materials and other items to make the facilities, and the women, safer until vaccinations could be provided. These efforts are described in more details in two previous Corrections Today articles and are embraced and supported by the NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. The project is also well on its way

Photo courtesy Sharon Griest Ballen

Some of the critical supplies collected and donated through a local Adapt-A- Prison program.

to securing funding for the construc- tion of a much-needed sidewalk to improve prison access for arriving family members, as well as for com- muting prison staff members from the local train station. Reentry support systems critical In this active engagement with the two correctional facilities, IPP quickly realized the effort of reach- ing out to those during incarceration might be lost without proper after- care when released. A first step in addressing the reentry issues has been the development of a special Release Bag holding various toiletry, hygiene and other support items to be given to the returning woman as she is released from prison. Successful reentry is a major issue and a critical one for survival back in society when measured by the staggering recidivism rate. Over 50% of formerly incarcerated people return to prison within the first three

years. IPP recognized this aftercare step could not be done alone and reached out to a member of its Inter- faith Advisory Council, Sr. Theresa Fitzgerald, CSJ, Executive Director of Hour Children Inc., a six-million- dollar non-profit organization located in Queens, NY. For more than thirty years, Sr. Tesa, as she prefers to be called, has operated an important reentry support system for women returning from incarceration in New York State and their children. The Hour Chil- dren name acknowledges key hours in the lives of children of mothers who have been sent to prison – the hour of arrest, the hour of their visits, and the hour of their reunification. This family focused approach is key to the successful reentry strategy of the Hour Children organization (HC), whose mission is to help in- carcerated and formerly incarcerated women and their children success- fully rejoin the community, reunify with their families and build healthy,

Corrections Today September/October 2021 — 9

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never-ending inflow of new of - fenders into the prison system? One obvious answer is the often- neglected intersection of poverty and prison. IPP, which serves as the United Nations representative for the International Prison Chaplains Association (IPCA) has for several years conducted annual UN events on the intersection of poverty and prison at the UN Headquarters in New York City. With the newly es- tablished cooperation with the Hour Children organization, a next step is to seek partnership also with orga- nizations dedicated to poverty relief. With the newly established cooperation with the Hour Children organization, a next step is to seek partnership also with organizations dedicated to poverty relief. IPP is anxious to share its Adopt- A-Prison model, and assist in sowing seeds of inspiration, duplication and dialogue with correctional facilities, chaplain’s offices, municipalities and volunteer organizations in other parts of the country.

If we are ready to embrace the nothing is permanent except change proverb, and begin to see the need for acceptance of infrastructure, climate and social justice changes, are we not soon ready to embrace real and all-encompassing prison reform based upon an AAP com- munity model and other creative variations? When the new wind has blown through, peace will rule, and new joy will prevail. Such a promising future was envisioned long ago in poetic, biblical language; The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling togeth- er; and a little child will lead them. — Isaiah 16:2 (NIV), … and the child will no doubt be of the Hour Children tribe. Hans Hallundbaek, Director of the Interfaith Prison Partnership, earned his MA from Maryknoll School of Theology, his M-Div. and DMin. at New York Theological Seminary. He has served as an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City and spent twenty-five years as a volunteer teacher and service chaplain in local NYS prisons, including Sing Sing, Bedford Hills and Taconic Correctional Facilities. He is the co-founder of Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA), the UN NGO representative for the International Prison Chaplains Organization (IPCA) and CURE International, and can be reached at hanshall@optonline.net

These care packages give hope for a successful reentry. Photo courtesy Sharon Griest Ballen

independent and secure lives. This sentiment is captured by Sr. Tesa when she announced the newly established cooperation with IPP, by saying, “Relationships are at the heart of human growth and enable us to dream and act together in the spirit of God’s inclusive love for the common good. This captures the new relationship between Hour Children and IPP. Possibilities are limitless!” If we imagine the AAP commu- nity adoption model expanded into the close to 2,000 state and fed- eral prisons scattered coast-to-coast across this country, then Sr. Tesa’s reference to “limitless potential” takes on a bold vision of achievable proportions, even before the global prison potential is viewed. Poverty and prisons A key question lingers. What is the pipeline that feeds the seemingly

Sharon Griest Ballen, MSW, LCSW is the Program Coordinator, Interfaith Prison Partnership; Chair, Prison Relations Advisory Committee to the Town

of Bedford and NGO representative to the United Nations for the International Prison Chaplains Association

10 — September/October 2021 Corrections Today

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nEWS&vIEWS

NIJ Update

Using data and science to understand the impact of COVID–19 on corrections By Marie Garcia, D. Michael Applegarth, Eric Martin, Benjamin Adams and Matt Durose

Authors’ Note: Findings and conclu- sions reported in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. T he global COVID–19 pan- demic has significantly altered our way of life while cutting short hundreds of thou- sands of American lives. Roughly 15 months into the pandemic, the United States had reported more than 32 million cases of the deadly virus and 600,000 COVID–19 deaths. 1 Since March 2020, the pandemic has impacted the entire criminal jus- tice system, especially corrections. Between March and June 2020, more than 11% of the 215,360 COVID–19 tests conducted in local jails were positive. 2 As the world changed, the justice system remained obligated both to protect public safety by providing secure environments for incarcerated individuals and to main- tain the safety and security of staff and those in custody. Although always a critical mis- sion, protecting physical health and safety took on a different meaning during this time. The spread of CO- VID–19 led to significant changes

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in corrections operations, including reductions in institutional admis- sions, increases in early releases to the community, the modification or suspension of certain programming due to physical safety guidelines and shifts to virtual visitation in facilities and virtual meetings for individuals on probation and parole. During the last year, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the U.S.

Department of Justice’s research, development, and evaluation agency, and the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), the country’s primary source of criminal justice statistics, worked to understand and document the impact of COVID–19 on corrections systems and offer recommendations to institutional and community cor- rections agencies on best practices going forward.

12 — September/October 2021 Corrections Today

NIJ Update

NIJ and BJS reports and briefs

To maintain health and safety, corrections agencies had to reduce their incarcerated population and develop strategies for quarantine, such as physical distancing, wearing masks and enhancing hygiene practices.

As part of that effort, NIJ and BJS have released reports and briefs to support corrections agencies as they continue to adjust their practices and begin to resume pre-pandemic operations. Through the NIJ-funded Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative, 3 the RAND Corporation recently hosted a series of workshops with key stakeholders to examine CO- VID–19’s impact on the criminal justice system. This article highlights findings from the institutional and community corrections workshops, 4 then discusses a recent BJS report on the pandemic’s impact on local jail populations. Institutional corrections responses to COVID–19 RAND’s report on the workshops, Institutional Corrections System’s COVID–19 Response, describes common factors that may have helped the virus spread in correction- al settings. 5 For example, a number of corrections agencies could not move activities outdoors, lacked ven- tilation systems that could address airborne viruses, had dense prison populations, needed to house indi- viduals in shared spaces and required frequent exits and entries by staff and individuals under custody. Workshop attendees raised specific challenges, such as con - ducting enough COVID–19 tests, knowing how to best use test results and addressing the health needs of incarcerated persons. Because many corrections agencies rely on external health care systems, their ability to

legal counsel, as facilities denied entry to visitors and all but essential personnel. Things to consider beyond the pandemic Workshop participants encour- aged corrections agencies, to the extent feasible, to maintain reduced populations; 7 continue using virtual technologies for visitation, court hearings and telehealth; allow certain corrections staff to telework; and include correctional facilities in local disaster planning. The crisis brought on by COVID–19 has also provided opportunities to implement and sustain reforms that are generally beneficial to corrections. Research and evaluation questions for future consideration The workshops also served to generate empirical questions that should be examined. A few that could substantially benefit all stake - holders are: 8 –– How can data be collected to better understand the disease burden across demographic groups in correctional facilities?

serve incarcerated populations was strained by competing community service demands. That challenge was further complicated by the large por- tions of the corrections population who were deemed at high risk for severe illness or death from COV- ID–19. Those at-risk groups include the elderly, persons with preexist- ing health conditions and members of minority groups. 6 Facilities also struggled to deliver COVID–19 treatment and services to persons with mental health and behavioral disorders. Additionally, corrections staff faced heavy burdens, particular- ly when they contracted the virus or were required to quarantine, further stressing the staff who remained at work. How did they adapt? To maintain health and safety, corrections agencies had to reduce their incarcerated population and develop strategies for quarantine, such as physical distancing, wear- ing masks and enhancing hygiene practices. Most incarcerated persons had to rely on technology to keep in contact with their families and

→

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–– What have been the pandemic’s mental health effects on incar- cerated persons and correctional staff? –– How can correctional officers and staff lower their risk of infection? –– Can virtual visitation, telehealth and educational opportunities be expanded? Community corrections responses to COVID–19 The RAND report noted the pan- demic-driven reduction in jail and prison populations placed increased demands on community supervision agencies. Those agencies were al- ready under stress as they attempted to meet their regular obligations, such as responding to the needs of high-risk offenders, sex offenders and individuals requiring mental health or substance use treatment. Further complicating matters was the severe impact COVID–19 had on the service agency networks that supply much-needed programming to com- munity supervision. Workshop attendees described the many adjustments they made amid the uncertainty of the pan- demic, such as finding alternatives to incarceration where it was no longer a viable response to supervi- sion violations, reducing face-to-face contact between community super- vision officers and persons under supervision, adapting to the inability to conduct drug tests; and finding ways to adopt technology to assist with monitoring caseloads. During the pandemic, group treatment for mental health and substance use is- sues was severely limited. Fines and fees were often suspended, resulting

and supervision terms were halted for individuals considered low-risk. For mental health and substance abuse treatment, counseling sessions and medication distributions in some jurisdictions were moved outdoors. 10 Promising practices As resources and capabilities allow, community supervision agen- cies should consider continuing the use of telework because it provides flexibility to staff and conserves re - sources. Virtual supervision models and telehealth can also continue to reduce the burden on individuals under supervision. (Hybrid models may be most effective to build rela- tionships and reduce burden.) Virtual options also allow for a more “one size fits one” approach 11 in which interactions can be reduced when helpful and resources can be redi- rected to persons with the greatest needs.

in constraints on service providers and supervision agency budgets. And the “digital divide” 9 experienced by persons under supervision, who often cannot access the internet or other technology, was a recurring theme. Already stressed agencies were left to supply those resources, a task made even more difficult by the lack of housing stability during the pandemic. Community corrections agencies struggled to respond to the heightened demand for services they were less capable of providing. How did they adjust? To adjust to challenges brought on by COVID–19, community correc- tions agencies increased their use of virtual supervision. Greater reliance on technology allowed for more efficient contact between commu - nity corrections officers and persons under their supervision. Often the dosage of supervision was reduced

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14 — September/October 2021 Corrections Today

NIJ Update

Research and evaluation questions raised

COVID–19 led to a 25% drop in per- sons detained in local jails. In fact, the jail incarceration rate at midyear 2020 (167 inmates per 100,000 U.S. residents) was at the lowest level since 1990.

11% of those tests were positive. During this same period, approxi- mately 8% of jail staff working in counties with the highest infection rates tested positive for COVID–19. In comparison, 1% of jail staff in counties with the lowest infection rates tested positive. 14 For jails reporting information on deaths from COVID–19 (841 report- ing units), 43 people incarcerated in 22 jails died between March and June 2020. 15 33 of those deaths were reported as confirmed deaths from COVID–19 or as cases in which COVID–19 was a significant con - tributor to the death. The remaining 10 deaths were reported as suspected deaths from the virus. A total of 40 staff from 30 jails also died of COVID–19 between March and June 2020. 32 of those deaths were reported as confirmed deaths from COVID–19. The other eight deaths were reported as suspected deaths from COVID–19. The BJS data collection is the first of its kind to provide data on the impact of COVID–19 on local jails in the United States. Though the time frame for the findings is short, the data highlight how COVID–19 led to significant changes in jail popula - tions and operations. In the future, jail administrators will be able to glean whether these changes are sus- tainable and which practices, if any, can lead to continued declines in jail populations. Conclusion The impacts of the COVID–19 pandemic will be felt for years to come. As with the changes seen in state sentencing practices, 16 how- ever, it is unclear what they will be,

Research questions that would greatly benefit all stakeholders include: 12 –– Are virtual models as effective as in-person supervision, coun- seling, and treatment? –– Has the digital divide across different parts of the community corrections system affected the ability to continue operations during the pandemic? If so, in what ways? –– How has the reduction in drug testing and electronic supervi- sion affected outcomes? –– What are the net savings for community supervision agen- cies that implement virtual models? –– How can changes made in response to the pandemic be distinguished from reforms already taking place? Taken together, these initial observations from the institutional and community corrections work- shops offer actionable guidance to agencies navigating the impacts of COVID–19. The impact of COVID–19 on local jail populations Although the pandemic tremen- dously stressed the nation’s criminal justice system, it also significantly changed local jail systems. From June 30, 2019 to June 30, 2020, local jails experienced a large, 185,400-person reduction in their confined population, according to the 2021 BJS report on the impact of COVID–19 on local jail popu- lations. 13 In more general terms,

Though the time frame for the findings is short, the data highlight how COVID–19 led to significant changes in jail populations and operations.

Jail systems began to see reduc- tions in their inmate populations as early as March 2020, and the trend continued in subsequent months. De- clining admissions to jails, coupled with the expedited release of 208,500 individuals from jails between March and June 2020, resulted in less crowded facilities. By midyear 2020, occupied beds were down to 60% of capacity, compared to 81% at midyear 2019. Jails across the country admin- istered 215,360 COVID–19 tests to incarcerated persons during the four- month period of March through June 2020, which equated to testing 9% of the 2.4 million individuals admitted to jails during that time. More than

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5 B. A. Jackson, et al., “Promising Practices from the Institutional Corrections System’s COVID-19 Response: Managing Safety and Security on the Inside,” Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2021, https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/ RBA108-3.html. 6 For more information, see https://www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/health-equity/ race-ethnicity.html and https://www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/ people-with-medical-conditions.html. 7 One panelist described how extra space in their facility was used to create a pretrial diversion unit to assist individuals prior to release and a mental health unit for persons with mental health needs who can function in social environments (i.e., those who do not require single housing). 8 The questions listed here are from the RAND report. For additional questions raised during the workshops, see https://www.rand.org/pubs/ research_briefs/RBA108-3.html. 9 B. A. Jackson et al., “Promising Practices from the Institutional Corrections System’s COVID-19 Response.” 10 Other critical adaptations were made by community corrections agencies. For more information, see https://www.rand.org/pubs/ research_briefs/RBA108-4.html. 12 The questions listed here are from the RAND report. For information on additional questions raised during the stakeholder meeting, see https:// www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RBA108-4. html. 13 See Minton, Zeng, and Maruschak, “Impact of COVID-19 on the Local Jail Population, January-June 2020.” 14 See Minton, Zeng, and Maruschak, “Impact of COVID-19 on the Local Jail Population, January-June 2020.” 15 The 841 jails accounted for about 69% (376,500) of the total inmate population and nearly 68% (160,500) of all staff employed in local jails at midyear 2020. BJS did not estimate the number of inmate or staff deaths for jails from COVID-19 for jails that did not respond to the survey or for jails that were not selected to participate in the Annual Survey of Jails. See page 10 of BJS’s report, “Impact of COVID-19 on the Local Jail Population, January-June 2020,” for more information. 11 For more information, see https://www.rand.org/ pubs/research_briefs/RBA108-4.html.

16 For example, the impact of California’s realignment (AB 109) on community justice systems and recidivism is still being studied. But at this time, the release of so many offenders from state custody does not appear to have a major impact on overall crime and public safety. See M. Lofstrom & S. Raphael, “Prison downsizing and public safety: Evidence from California,” Criminology & Public Policy, 15 no. 2 (2016): 349-365. https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9133.12203 17 To learn more about NIJ and NIJ’s investment in corrections research, see https://nij.ojp.gov and https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/corrections. 18 To learn more about BJS and BJS’s corrections data collections, such as the National Prisoner Statistics program and the Annual Survey of Jails, see https://bjs.ojp.gov/ and https://bjs.ojp.gov/ topics/corrections?tid=1&ty=tp. For information on forthcoming BJS publications, see https://bjs. ojp.gov/library/publications/forthcoming.

in terms of both corrections policy and practice and the experiences of staff and incarcerated individuals. It is safe to say corrections’ innovation and collective responses to the crisis have advanced the mission and goals of institutional and commu- nity corrections agencies in a very trying time. This article presents a limited view based on what we know about the pandemic’s impact thus far. There is a lot left to learn. NIJ 17 and BJS 18 hope to be a resource for research and data as institutional and community corrections agencies continue to make decisions about resources, staffing and best practices and to uncover how COVID–19 continues to affect them. These agencies will also look for evidence pandemic-driven innovations will prove beneficial to the corrections system as a whole, even after the crisis subsides. Endnotes 1 Data as of May 25, 2021 at 12:32 p.m. ET: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#cases_ casesper100klast7days. 2 See T. D. Minton, Z. Zeng, & L. M. Maruschak, “Impact of COVID-19 on the Local Jail Population, January-June 2020,” Washington, D.C.: Bureau of Justice Statistics, March 2021, NCJ 255888, https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/ icljpjj20.pdf. 3 The Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative is a joint effort managed by the RAND Corporation in partnership with the Police Executive Research Forum, RTI International, and the University of Denver on behalf of the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Institute of Justice. 4 For a more in-depth discussion of the criminal justice system’s response to the pandemic, see The U.S. Criminal Justice System in the Pandemic Era and Beyond: Taking Stock of Efforts to Maintain Safety and Justice Through the COVID-19 Pandemic and Prepare for Future Challenges: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/ RRA108-8.html.

D. Michael Applegarth, M.S.W., is a research assistant with the National Institute of Justice. Marie Garcia, Ph.D., is a senior social science analyst in the Office of the Director at the National Institute of Justice.

Eric Martin, M.A., is a social science analyst with the National Institute of Justice.

Benjamin Adams, M.S., is a senior advisor with the National Institute of Justice.

Matthew Durose, M.S., is a statistician with the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

16 — September/October 2021 Corrections Today

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17

n Vocational Training

The Future of Job Training

This feature is the last in a series from the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). Look for more BOP features in previous issues of Corrections Today.

18 — September/October 2021 Corrections Today

By Amy Larsen, Jason Gunther and Renee Corriveau

T he Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) (Bureau) has long recognized the importance of equipping inmates with the skills they need to be successful as they re-enter the workforce. However, the skills needed in the workforce 10 years ago are quickly becoming obsolete. In order to equip inmates with the knowledge and skills employers need now and for the future, the Bureau has launched innovative work programs for inmates to supplement training in more traditional trades. As a nationwide correctional system with facilities located in many different states, credentialing federal inmates with certifications that work in all jurisdictions was a necessity. The agency collaborated with the U.S. Department of Labor to standardize all apprenticeships across the Bureau and to provide a nationally recognized certificate. Standardizing the apprenticeship program also means if an inmate transfers between facilities, he or she can complete their training and achieve certification. As in many correctional systems, apprenticeships in HVAC, plumbing or electrical are available to inmates. However the Bureau recognizes each BOP facility is different and affords inmates opportunities to participate in unique apprenticeship programs. For example, at the United States Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri, an inmate can enroll in an 8,000- hour Prosthetic Technician program to learn to fabricate, fit, maintain and repair artificial limbs, cosmetic device appliances and other prosthetic devices.

The BOP is also working diligently to keep abreast of skill gaps in the current marketplace and new and emerging needs of employers. Recently, BOP staff at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Pekin, Illinois, made the bold decision to replace an existing program with an innovative micro-soldering program where in- mates learn to solder microscopic electrical components. The program offers a specialty in Interconnecting & Packaging Electronic Circuits Micro Soldering Program certified by the Institute for Interconnecting and Packag - ing Electronic Circuits (ICP). The ICP is an association that was founded in 1957 as an international guiding body for the manufacturing of electronic assemblies. IPC gath- ers “best practices” from more than 5,000 companies to As a nationwide correctional system with facilities located in many different states, credentialing federal inmates with certifications that work in all jurisdictions was a necessity.

Photos courtesy Nancy Ayers, Federal Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Department of Justice

Apprentice in the Prosthetic/Orthotic Department (left) and Prosthetic device repair under guidance of Prostetist (right).

Photo opposite page courtesy Nancy Ayers, Federal Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Department of Justice

Corrections Today September/October 2021 — 19

n Vocational Training

develop standards of production, inspection and repair of electronic assemblies. The program is taught in four parts and students earn three primary IPC certifications: The IPC J-Standard-001G, Requirements for Soldered Electri- cal and Electronic Assemblies, IPC A-610, Acceptability of Electronics Assemblies and IPC 7711/21, Rework, Modification, and Repair of Electronic Assemblies. Pro - gram graduates can generally expect a starting wage of $15 to $25 hourly with a rapid increase in earnings from that point. Since the program’s inception in November 2019, there have been 33 certifications issued in the pro - gram’s inaugural year. In the summer of 2021, the Bureau will launch an Industrial Maintenance Technician program at FCI Englewood. This innovative program will help fill the gap in the wake of the well-documented needs of many factories. FCI Englewood is well suited to activate this forward-thinking program to address the existing skill gap due to its ability to collaborate with UNICOR, also known as Federal Prison Industries. UNICOR is first and foremost a Bureau correctional program with a mission to

protect society and reduce crime by preparing inmates for successful reentry through job training. Many of the machines the students will learn to install, repair and maintain are already located in the Unicor factory there. Students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge and earn credentials from the National In- stitute for Metalworking Skills. Staff and inmates are eagerly awaiting this opportunity as the new state-of- the-art training equipment arrives and the training lab is set up. The Bureau remains committed to programs that provide real-world experience to inmates and the invest- ment in Career and Technical Education programs is a significant part of the pathway to success. Amy Larsen, Assistant Education Administrator, Reentry Services Division, Federal Bureau of Prisons Jason Gunther, Education Administrator, Reentry Services Division, Federal Bureau of Prisons Renee Corriveau, Education Specialist, Reentry Services Division, Federal Bureau of Prisons

Photo courtesy Nancy Ayers, Federal Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Department of Justice

Prosthetic device evaluation and repair.

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