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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 —
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...
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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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.
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.
