Federal Bureau of Prisons
Meeting People Where They Are to Improve Institutional Culture
Incarcerated individuals deserve opportunities for healing and growth, but they often lack the necessary resources for such opportunities. Additionally, organizational cultures that don’t support these outcomes often stand in the way. Researchers and practitioners gathered at NIJ’s 2023 National Research Conference to share ideas and projects that will increase opportunities for incarcerated populations around the country. This show continues their conversation.
A Leg Up: NIJ’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program
NIJ Director Dr. Nancy La Vigne joins the show to interview Dr. Marie Garcia, Director of NIJ’s Criminal Justice Systems Division and a former NIJ graduate research fellow. They discuss the application process, Marie’s experience as a fellow while at Temple University, and advice for future applicants.
Reading and Resources from NIJ:
NIJ’s Role Under the First Step Act
The First Step Act of 2018 (the Act) aims to reform the federal prison system and reduce recidivism.
NIJ plays a key role in major components of the Act and will assist the Attorney General in —
- Assessing the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ existing risk and needs assessment system.
- Developing and evaluating a...
First Step Act: Review and Revalidation of the Bureau of Prisons Needs Assessment System
First Step Act: Review and Revalidation of the Bureau of Prisons Needs Assessment System
NIJ-Funded Research on Mass Shootings to Advance Evidence-Based Policy and Practice
Mass public shootings continue to threaten communities in the United States, yet research on this criminal phenomenon is limited. In this full thematic panel, renowned experts will present a series of research projects summarizing NIJ-funded research projects’ newest findings on public mass shootings. The discussion will focus on NIJ’s investment to address the phenomenon of mass shootings through innovative study approaches to advance our understanding of mass shootings and inform prevention efforts. The implications of this research to criminal justice will also be discussed.
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First Step Act: Review and Revalidation of the Bureau of Prisons Needs Assessment System, Fiscal Year 2022
Census of Jails (Bureau of Justice Statistics)
The 2019 Census of Jails (COJ) is part of a series of data collections that studies the nation's local jails and the 12 Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) detention facilities that function as jails. The 2019 COJ collected data necessary for producing estimates on local jail populations, including one-day custody counts by sex, race and Hispanic origin, conviction status, and severity of offense (felony and...
Inventory of State and Federal Corrections Information Systems (Bureau of Justice Statistics)
This survey summarizes the data elements maintained by state and federal corrections information systems that track adult, sentenced persons, and assesses the severity of obstacles in reporting statistical information. Two instruments, an Inventory Questionnaire and an Obstacles Survey, were mailed to Departments of Correction in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Survey of Inmates in Federal Correctional Facilities (Bureau of Justice Statistics)
First conducted in 1991 by a joint effort between BJS and the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). The survey is conducted concurrently with the SISCF and includes the same data items: individual characteristics of prison inmates, current offenses and sentences, characteristics of victims, criminal histories, family background, gun possession and use, prior drug and alcohol use and treatment, medical and mental health history and treatment...
Review and Revalidation of the First Step Act Risk Assessment Tool
Review and Revalidation of the First Step Act Risk Assessment Tool: A letter to the Research Community
Funding available!
NIJ has released a consultant statement of work under which we seek to review and revalidate on an annual basis the risk assessment tool developed in response to the First Step Act.
Dear Colleague:
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the research agency of the U.S. Department of Justice, is pleased to announce the...
Reflecting on my Time as Director So Far — And Envisioning the Future
NIJ recently celebrated a milestone birthday — 50 years of scientific efforts to advance the field of criminal justice. Now is a great time for us to look back at all that we’ve accomplished. You can read about some of our most groundbreaking research and accomplishments in the 50th Anniversary Issue of the NIJ Journal.
Given all we know, and still don’t know, about...
Review and Revalidation of the First Step Act Risk Assessment Tool, Fiscal Year 2020
With this funding opportunity, NIJ seeks review and revalidate on an annual basis the risk assessment tool developed in response to the First Step Act (FSA). The risk assessment tool, the Prisoner Assessment Tool Targeting Estimated Risk and Needs (PATTERN), will be implemented and used by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to predict the likelihood of general and violent recidivism for all BOP inmates.
Reentry Discussion: Overcoming Challenges When Leaving Incarceration
Alix McLearen, Ph.D., acting assistant director, Reentry Services Division, Federal Bureau of Prisons and John Wetzel, secretary of corrections, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections discuss programs and services that their agencies offer to help individuals overcome the challenges encountered when leaving incarceration. These various programs and services address the individuals’ needs in areas such as physical and mental health, addiction, education, vocation, and life skills.
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Less Prison, More Police, Less Crime: How Criminology Can Save the States from Bankruptcy
Professor Lawrence Sherman explains how policing can prevent far more crimes than prison per dollar spent. His analysis of the cost-effectiveness of prison compared to policing suggests that states can cut their total budgets for justice and reduce crime by reallocating their spending on crime: less prison, more police.
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Changing the Behavior of Drug-Involved Offenders: Supervision That Works
A small number of those who commit crimes are heavily involved in drugs commit a large portion of the crime in this country. An evaluation of a "smart supervision" effort in Hawaii that uses swift and certain sanctioning showed that individuals committing crimes who are heavily involved in drug use can indeed change their behavior when the supervision is properly implemented.
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Addiction, the Brain, and Evidence-Based Treatment
The criminal justice system encounters and supervises a large number of drug abusing persons. Punishment alone is a futile and ineffective response to the problem of drug abuse. Addiction is a chronic brain disease with a strong genetic component that in most instances requires treatment. Involvement in the criminal justice system provides a unique opportunity to treat drug abuse disorders and related health conditions, thereby improving public health and safety.
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NIJ Helps Lay the Groundwork for Implementation of the First Step Act
The First Step Act of 2018 aims to reform the federal prison system and reduce recidivism. A key component of the Act is an assessment of the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ existing prisoner risk and needs assessment system. To begin that assessment, NIJ, in accordance with the First Step Act, has selected the...
Cell Phones in Prison
Criminals are using cell phones illegally in prisons and jails to conduct their business and intimidate witnesses. Although technology solutions to this problem are available, they can create new challenges, such as legal and implementation issues associated with cell phone use in correctional facilities. Panelists will discuss various aspects to consider from how prisoners use cell phones, to day-to-day and operational aspects, to legal and regulatory concerns.
Discussing the Future of Justice-Involved Young Adults
New science in brain development is transforming young adult involvement with the justice system. On Tuesday, September 8, Attorney General Loretta Lynch, Assistant Attorney General Karol Mason, and experts from NIJ and the Harvard Kennedy School Program in Criminal Justice who serve on the Executive Session on Community Corrections discussed the future of justice-involved young adults.
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What Works in Probation and Parole
How can we prevent reoffending and reduce costs? Research points to a number of solutions. At the Tuesday plenary, Judge Steven Alm from Hawaii will describe his successes with hard-core drug offenders. “Swift and sure” is his motto. West Virginia Cabinet Secretary James W. Spears will discuss the issues from his state's perspective, and Adam Gelb, Director of the Pew Charitable Trust's Public Safety Performance Project, will lend a national overview.