For several years, the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) has promoted evidence-based practices (EBP) to reduce offender risks.  That project has advocated such practices within corrections, as well as throughout the justice system.  In Indiana, the sentencing of an offender that included a judge's consideration of risk assessments and evaluations (EBP components) was challenged as inappropriate.  In a 2010 ruling in the case by the Indiana Supreme Court, trial courts were "encouraged to employ evidence-based offender assessment instruments ... in crafting a penal program tailored to each individual defendant."  Read the full decision in Malenchik v. State of Indiana. 

Learn more about NIC's Reducing Offender Risk efforts.

The National Institute of Corrections and project partner the Urban Institute launched the Transition from Jail to Community (TJC) initiative in 2007.  TJC efforts prepare and support jail inmates for a successful return to their communities.  The TJC Implementation Toolkit is now online.  This web-based learning resource guides local criminal justice agencies and community-based organizations through implementation of the TJC model, in whole or in part.  Users of the toolkit can navigate through the nine modules at their own pace.  Click here to view the toolkit and get started.  Learn more about NIC's Reentry/Transition models for prisons and jails.

2/10/2010: Due to the temporary shutdown of Grants.gov, the closing date and question/answer dates have been extended for this solicitation. A partial list of answer has been posted with more to follow as they become available.

The National Institute of Corrections has released a solicitation for proposals to develop a training curriculum for Directors of Correctional Industries.  The selected provider will work with NIC's Transition and Offender Workforce Development and Academy Divisions through a cooperative agreement.  The provider will also pilot the training and modify the curriculum based on that experience.  The full solicitation and application instructions are posted on Grants.gov. Questions regarding the solicitation can be e-mailed to mguevara@bop.gov, or call 303/365-4415, up to 4 pm Mountain Time on Feb. 5, 2010 Feb. 11, 2010.  Look for those Questions & Answers to be posted as an update/attachment to this blog on Feb. 9, 2010 Feb. 17, 2010.  Proposals must be submitted by Feb. 12, 2010  Feb. 19, 2010.

Click on the following links for more information about:  NIC Cooperative Agreements; NIC Transition & Offender Workforce Development; and the NIC Academy.

• 2/10/2010: Download Answers to Questions

The National Institute of Corrections is soliciting proposals for a cooperative agreement to publish a quarterly "Corrections Mental Health Newsletter."  The newsletter will provide updates on mental health issues of interest to corrections practitioners.  The release of the first issue is expected in February/March 2010 with three quarterly issues throughout the year.  The cooperative agreement may be extended to the recipient for 2011 and 2012.  The solicitation will soon be posted on www.grants.gov, and is also attached to this blog.  Applications are due January 15, 2010.  Click here to read more about cooperative agreements with NIC.  

• Download the Solicitation
• Jan. 06: Presentation from Dec. 18th web conference

The National Institute of Corrections is required by PREA to provide training and education to agencies responsible for preventing, investigating, or responding to sexual assault of offenders under correctional supervision.  NIC is soliciting proposals for a cooperative agreement to continue that service through the agency's PREA Initiative.  The cooperative agreement is for a 12-month period beginning February 2010.  The full solicitation is attached to this blog and will soon be posted on www.grants.gov.  Applications are due January 4, 2010.  Click here to read more about NIC's cooperative agreements.

• Download the Solicitation
• Questions and Answers

The National Institute of Corrections has released a cooperative agreement solicitation to develop a competency-based curriculum to train Employment Retention Specialists who assist ex-offenders.  The 18-month cooperative agreement with NIC's Transition and Offender Workforce Development Division would also include development of an assessment instrument to address the strengths and risks of offenders in danger of job loss.  The full solicitation is attached to this blog and will soon be posted on www.grants.gov.  Applications are due December 28, 2009.  Click here for more information regarding NIC cooperative agreements.

• Download the Solicitation
• Questions & Answers

Even before the peak of the flu season, the H1N1 influenza has resulted in lock downs of some corrections facilities and restrictions for visitors.  A National Institute of Corrections live satellite/internet broadcast on December 9, 2009 will discuss the current status of the H1N1 pandemic and how institutional and community corrections agencies can prepare for, and respond to, outbreaks of the flu.  The three-hour broadcast Locking Up H1N1: CDC and Criminal Justice Join Forces will begin at noon Eastern Time.  Link here to register and see instructions for viewing the broadcast, and download the broadcast flyer. 

Read more about Corrections and the H1N1 virus.

The National Institute of Corrections released a solicitation to fund production of four satellite/internet broadcasts and three DVDs.  The full solicitation is attached to this blog and will soon be posted to www.grants.gov.  The service will be provided through a cooperative agreement, and applications are due December 1, 2009.  Link here to learn more about cooperative agreements with NIC. 

• Download the Solicitation

Update on November 17, 2009 Solicitation Web Conference: 

November 24, 2009 - Due to technical problems the recording of the informational webconference held on November 17, 2009 will not be posted at this time as originally stated. NIC will hold two one-hour Q & A sessions on Tuesday, November 24 and Wednesday, November 25 starting at 12:30 pm.  Access to the session can be found by going to https://nic.webex.com and joining the session titled: "Systems" Cooperative Agreement Q & A.  The password for the session is "systems."  Anyone is welcome to join one or both sessions.  Any questions regarding this solicitation should be directed to mdooley@bop.gov 

The National Institute of Corrections Prisons Division has released a solicitation to develop a curriculum to train upper-level management of individual state correctional and prison systems.  Through a 12-month cooperative agreement, the developers would produce a field-tested curriculum to better prepare agency management to use collaborative, systemic, performance-based approaches to address current challenges.  The complete solicitation is attached to this blog and will be posted soon on www.grants.gov.  Applications are due November 30, 2009, and a web-conference for potential bidders is scheduled for November 5 to discuss the project.  Send your e-mail by noon, November 3, 2009 to mdooley@bop.gov to register for the web-conference.  Link here for more information regarding cooperative agreements with NIC.

• Download the Solicitation

The National Institute of Corrections will host a live three-hour satellite/internet broadcast today, October 7, at 12:00 Noon EST on "Innovative Reentry Strategies:  The Emerging Role of Correctional Industries,".  The broadcast will address issues of interest to corrections administrators and practitioners, policymakers, labor and workforce fields and business/industry leaders.  Correctional industries have operated for decades.  But industries are taking on increasing importance due to agency budget shortages, the growing emphasis on inmate preparation for release and reentry, and efforts to reduce offender recidivism.  Click here to view the free live broadcast.  Click here for more information about the broadcast.