Justice Systems

Bring together training directors from on-site observations to discuss status of project, strengths, challenges, share promising practices, and network for sustainable relationships in the correctional training field.

During this quarter, the agency was mostly concerned with completing grant activities under its BJA-TTA 2020 grant. For 2020, A GAM is needed for reallocating monies from the forensic trauma interview training to another project. Additional projects are being explored and discussed. This GAM will be submitted when new goals and budgets are developed and approved.

Originally scheduled to close in March 2024, Harris County had told their coach that they had applied and received a NCE. The coach even worked with them to redo their timeline for the project to take them through March 2025. Harris County then shared in May 2024 that they still had about $100K left to spend.The coach last met with them in June 2024. Since June the coach has reached out at least 6 times with zero response.

During this reporting period, Louisiana OJJ closed out this grant. By the end of the grant, CJJA completed the staffing analysis and provided their report to the agency on time and within budget. The training for facility administrative staff to ensure that facility staffing is accomplished according to the facility's staffing plan was completed through a contract with SME Mykel Selph and the train-the-trainer was completed for agency training staff. The agency worked directly with their PREA Auditor to develop and implement a revised PREA Risk Assessment Instrument.

During this reporting period, the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (PRDCR) and JDI met several times. The grantee's main activities included updates to educational materials and progress on camera installations. PRDCR is currently awaiting approvals for their training contract, which has delayed further implementation toward that goal. Notably, their federal advisor's contractor's contract was once again up for renewal, posing a repeated challenge that has historically disrupted progress.

During this reporting period, Bucks County closed out their grant. By the end of the award, a PC was hired, and a new risk assessment tool was developed. However, the PC was terminated and never replaced, leading to difficulties in maintaining focus on PREA standard compliance. The BCDOC received two (2) No Cost Extensions with no changes to the desired goals and objectives. In July, 2024, the BCDOC submitted a Grant Award Modification for programmatic goal changes and budgetary adjustments. This allowed the BCDOC to close the grant on September 30, 2024.

During this reporting period, the agency was mostly concerned with completing grant activities under its BJA-TTA 2020 grant, which the grantee was able to close. By the end of the grant, BSO-DoD purchased cameras and cables to upgrade the camera system in areas where existing cameras were beyond their life span. It was essential to the sexual safety of the incarcerated persons that cameras are up to date and depict clear images of activity in areas lacking direct supervision.

During this reporting period, a No Cost Extension (NCE) was submitted and approved by BJA. This was the fourth NCE approved under this grant. The training was scheduled to start on 12/1/2024; however, the training vendor contract is pending legal approval and other requirements of the procurement process. Once the training begins, it will be offered once per week to agency and facility staff. NYC DOC was provided with guidance about using a segregated housing unit based solely on LGBTQI+ status and guidance about staff using window coverings on their office windows.

During this reporting period, Escambia County closed out their grant. By the end of the grant, ECCD appointed a PC and two PCM's; one for the Main Jail and one for the Work Annex to direct ECCD's PREA program implementation efforts. TMG coaches provided coaching meetings twice per month to allow time for discussion about the PREA Standards and ECCD's PREA program development. Additionally, TMG coaches facilitated several on-site reviews at the Main Jail and the Work Annex.

During this reporting period, the Somerset County Sheriff's Office has completed the transition of the jail into a short-term holding facility. Lt. Quintero received notice that their third no-cost extension had been approved, and the coach talked through ideas for project activities that would support sexual safety in their new configuration as a short-term holding facility. Technically, they will likely not be classified as a lockup by the State of New Jersey until 2026, but they are rarely holding people overnight. Lt.