presented by: leann bertsch, director, north dakota docr
TRANSCRIPT
IMPLEMENTING THE TRANSITION FROM PRISON TO COMMUNITY INITIATIVE IN NORTH DAKOTA
Presented by:Leann Bertsch, Director, North Dakota DOCR
VISION / MISSION OF THE ND DOCR
Vision Statement: A safer North Dakota through effective correctional services.
The mission of the North Dakota Department of Corrections is to enhance public safety, to reduce the risk of future criminal behavior by holding adult and juvenile offenders accountable, and to provide opportunities for change.
WHERE WE WERE
Started TPC Initiative in 2003 Several work groups put together to
address the TPC Model decision points Division rift continued… Re-energized in 2007 after
organizational restructure Went from a tall, narrow organizational
structure to a short flat structure
WHAT WE’VE DONE - COLLABORATION 2007 – Assembled Transition
Leadership Team State, local, private department heads
tasked with oversight of TPC. Vision : To keep North Dakota the safest
state in the nation.
WHAT WE’VE DONE - COLLABORATION 2007 – Transition Leadership Team
chartered Transition Steering Committee Key staff in stakeholder agencies Review systematic barriers to the
Leadership Team’s vision Develop strategies to address those
barriers Make recommendations back to Leadership
Team
WHAT WE’VE DONE - COLLABORATION Inability to share presentence
investigation Solved in early 2008
ID Cards Effort to bring DOT staff to the prison-
completed in 2010. Short Sentenced Offenders Enhancement of
Education/Employment Skills
WHAT WE’VE DONE - COLLABORATION Reentry Phase Issues
Release and Integration Project Targets seriously mentally ill inmates for
enhanced case management Sex Offender release planning
Homeless Sex Offenders Transition of Native American offenders Expansion of Local Reentry Teams
WHAT WE’VE DONE - COLLABORATION Fargo & Bismarck
Formed under SVORI Operational since 2003
Grand Forks & Lake Region Recently formed Advisory & Working Teams
Provides a process for local solutions to reentry issues, and case planning.
WHAT WE’VE DONE - COLLABORATION North Dakota Reentry Summit
Held in October 2009 250 participants (half stakeholders) Plan developed to address Reentry issues
WHERE WE WERE -TPC MODEL
Case Planning Case planning disjointed Offender may have several case plans
Institutional Transitional Facility Parole/Probation
Communication and planning issues
WHAT WE’VE DONE – TPC MODEL
Initial Classification/Case Planning Committee Performs initial classification hearing for
inmates Examine all assessment information Develops individual case plan based on:
Risk (LSI-R) Needs Custody Level Length of sentence
WHAT WE’VE DONE – TPC MODEL
Transition Accountability Plan (TAP) Group chartered in 2008 Develop TAP based on criminogenic risk/needs Used from admission to prison/caseload until
release from DOCR supervision (prison or community)
Internal software developed to be used by all staff in case management role (including contract facilities and P&P Officers)
Roll-out June 2012
WHAT WE’VE DONE – TPC MODEL
Behavior and Programming Entered into contract with University of
Cincinnati to redesign correctional programming.
Focus on Cognitive Behavioral Treatment model.
Implement system of rewards as well as sanctions throughout correctional system.
WHAT WE’VE DONE – TPC MODEL
Release Preparation Developed Inmate Release Handbook
Helps inmate develop release plan Lists resource referral agencies Lists positive family members, companions,
etc. for support.
WHAT WE’VE DONE – TPC MODEL
Revocation Decision Making Developed “Managing Noncompliant
Behavior” Provides a consistent, department-approved
guideline to help Parole & Probation staff manage violations.
Reviewed by several national experts in addressing parole and probation violations.
WHAT WE’VE DONE – TPC MODEL
Implemented Intensive Transition Program Coordinator Staff member committed to staffing & managing
parole/probation violations. Staffing consists of officer, supervisor, ITPC. Develop recommendations for intermediate
measures, diversion opportunities, revocation sentence recommendations.
IMPLEMENTING EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICES
ASSESS ACTUARIAL RISK/NEEDS Utilization of the LSI-R since 2001
Administered in community and prison. QA Training Utilized in Presentence Investigation Utilized to develop case plans (TAP) 2011 Validation Study
Inter-rater reliability Statistically significant predictor of risk
IMPLEMENTING EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICES
Other assessment tools Static-99R MnSOST-R Acute Stable 2007 TCU Criminal Thinking Scales
IMPLEMENTING EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICES
ENHANCE INTRINSIC MOTIVATION Effective Communication and Motivational Strategies DOCR Management trained December 2010
Practice groups weekly All DOCR Staff trained throughout 2011
Practice groups weekly Development of minimum proficiency standards underway
Core Correctional Practices/Cognitive Behavioral Treatment
Internal trainers being trained by UC, all custodial/P&P staff to be trained
IMPLEMENTING EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICES
TARGET INTERVENTIONS Risk Principle (prioritize supervision and
treatment resources for higher risk offenders) Proxy assessment Diversion supervision Top 50 Report Evidence Based Sentence Recommendations-
PSI Pilot project Staff, judicial training
IMPLEMENTING EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICES
Need Principle (target interventions to criminogenic needs) TAPs focus on Top 3 of Big 6 LSI-R domains. Program redesign focus on treating dynamic
criminogenic risk areas first. Responsivity Principle (be responsive to
temperament, learning style, motivation, gender and culture when assigning to programs) Treatment Department Multi Discipline Staffing. More consideration to responsivity in program
redesign.
IMPLEMENTING EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICES
Dosage (structure 40%-70% of high-risk offenders’ time for 3-9 months) 2010 85% left inmate status through
transitional services (treatment, transitional housing, or had parole/probation supervision)
IMPLEMENTING EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICES
SKILL TRAIN WITH DIRECTED PRACTICE Use cognitive-behavioral treatment
methods –Core Programming in prison: Thinking for Change
Prison – program redesign Community – pilot project at regional human service
center Conflict Resolution Substance Abuse – new curricula Sex Offender Treatment – new curricula
IMPLEMENTING EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICES
INCREASE POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT 4 (+) to 1 (-) ratio Program redesign subcommittees
developing evidence-based behavior modification protocol for all 3 prisons.
IMPLEMENTING EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICES
ENGAGE SUPPORT IN COMMUNITIES Reentry Teams
Bismarck, Fargo, Devils Lake, Grand Forks ICCPC targeting release community to
align services TPC stakeholders
Leadership and Steering Committees Stakeholder training
IMPLEMENTING EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICES
MEASURE RELEVANT PRACTICES Correctional Program Checklist Data Dashboard (PBMS, Revocation) Implementing goal/strategy evaluation in
TAP Itag & Docstars Several data tracking
ICCPC data Reentry Teams Transition
IMPLEMENTING EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICES
PROVIDE MEASUREMENT FEEDBACK CPC reports. Some data feed back to staff &
management. Annual report to Reentry Teams.
QUESTIONS?
Thank you.