Implementing the Transition from prison to community initiative in North Dakota

1. Presented by:Leann Bertsch, Director, North Dakota DOCR Implementing the Transition from prison to community initiative in North Dakota

2. 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. Vision / Mission of the ND DOCR

3. 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 Where we were

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. North Dakota Reentry Summit • Held in October 2009 • 250 participants (half stakeholders) • Plan developed to address Reentry issues What we’ve done - Collaboration

10. Case Planning • Case planning disjointed • Offender may have several case plans • Institutional • Transitional Facility • Parole/Probation • Communication and planning issues Where we were -TPC Model

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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. What we’ve done – tpc model

17. 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

18. Other assessment tools • Static-99R • MnSOST-R • Acute • Stable 2007 • TCU Criminal Thinking Scales Implementing evidence based practices

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. INCREASE POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT • 4 (+) to 1 (-) ratio • Program redesign subcommittees developing evidence-based behavior modification protocol for all 3 prisons. Implementing evidence based practices

25. 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

26. 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

27. PROVIDE MEASUREMENT FEEDBACK • CPC reports. • Some data feed back to staff & management. • Annual report to Reentry Teams. Implementing evidence based practices

28. Thank you. Questions?