[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 117 (Friday, June 18, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32893-32894]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-15511]
[[Page 32893]]
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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
National Institute of Corrections
Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement
SUMMARY: The Department of Justice (DOJ), National Institute of
Corrections (NIC), announces the availability of funds in FY 1999 for a
cooperative agreement to fund the ``Development of Management
Information Systems to Support Prison Classification'' project.
A cooperative agreement is a form of assistance relationship where
the National Institute of Corrections is substantially involved during
the performance of the award. An award is made to an organization that
will, in concert with the Institute, provide assistance to correctional
agencies making enhancements in their management information systems to
provide data for analysis and improve the operation of the
classification systems. No funds are transferred to state or local
governments.
The Institute's Prisons Division will provide financial assistance
in the form of a cooperative agreement to facilitate the development of
a resource manual that will provide information for state correctional
agencies to use in assessing their management information systems
related to the essential and desirable elements that will enhance the
analysis and operation of the classification system; provide
descriptive information on MIS systems in 8 to 12 states that have
developed leading classification and MIS systems, including
advancements toward integrated justice information systems; tools, such
as checklists, for agencies to use in conducting self-assessments; and
resources that are available for funding produced in compliance with
publication guidelines included in the application packet.
Assistance will be provided under this cooperative agreement to 6
to 8 agencies requesting technical assistance in assessing their
management information systems pertaining to classification decision-
making and in the operation of their classification systems. The
recipient of the cooperative agreement will conduct onsite assessments
of the information management and classification systems at
participating agencies; provide assistance and oversight in revising
the management information system and, as necessary, the classification
instruments and operations; and provide technical assistance and
training during implementation. Prison systems selected for
participation will have the resources necessary to make management
information system enhancements to provide data for classification
system analysis and ensure the capacity to measure outcomes and impacts
of the classifications systems implemented. A steering committee will
be appointed by each agency to coordinate activities related to the
project.
Background
Most state corrections systems use objective classification to
assign inmates to appropriate prisons, and some have internal
classification systems to guide housing, work, and program assignments.
However, many systems lack the reliable data needed to fully assess and
redesign their classification systems to adapt to increased demands and
a changing environment. Management of offender data is a critical issue
for every correctional agency's overall operations. With advances in
the use of automated computer systems to manage data, management
information system (MIS systems) have become a necessary component for
prison management.
Classification systems need to become an integral part of the
department's MIS system and the hub for the information system design.
Data generated through the automated classification system can provide
correctional managers with accurate, timely, and relevant information
to plan and manage the offender population; better utilize resources;
and assess risks and needs. Automation will reduce errors in scoring
offenders for custody or security level and improve the system's
ability to monitor the housing of offenders according to the
classification system. It will also allow evaluations to be conducted
on a regular basis to increase the system's performance.
Classification systems should to be monitored and periodically
evaluated. This is done to ensure the system is working as designated.
Classification systems should also be validated to determine what
impact the system has had on inmate operations and overall performance.
Automation of the classification system is required to conduct
evaluations efficiently. Furthermore, there are operational issues in
the daily management of offenders and the classification process that
also depend on automation of classification data. These issues include:
transfers and bed space management, housing decisions within
facilities, disciplinary actions, scheduling and documenting
classification reviews, calculating release and eligibility dates, and
much more.
Planning for automation is an on-going process that should
incorporate incremental improvements to increase the system's utility
through innovative technological changes. These improvements should
include integration of information within the agency to operate more
effectively and eliminate redundancy. Improvements must also anticipate
the need to plan for the automation to involve the integration of
criminal justice information with other agencies.
Currently, the NIC Prisons Division through the NIC Information
Center is conducting a survey of prison MIS systems to assess the MIS
capabilities in correctional agencies. Survey questions are directed to
issues that relate to prison classification systems. The results of the
survey will be published later this year. This survey will provide
information to guide the work under this project by identifying
correctional agencies that have developed MIS systems that enhance the
classification process, as well as correctional agencies that have the
potential to benefit from technical assistance and/or resource material
developed through this funding.
NIC has announced the availability of technical assistance through
the annual Program Plan and will send letters to agency directors
advising them that their agencies can apply for assistance through this
project. A selection of states will be made by MIC and the cooperative
agreement awardee. The selections will be based on criteria that will
be established to find correctional agencies with the interest, need
and resources for this type of assistance.
Purpose
The National Institute of Corrections is seeking applications for a
cooperative agreement to do the project management to assist
correctional agencies making enhancements in their management
information systems to provide data for analysis of classification
systems and improving the operation of the classification system;
develop a resource manual that will guide agencies through planning and
assessment of their MIS systems; and produce advancements in the
development of comprehensive classification systems.
Authority: Public Law 93-415.
Funds Available
The award will be limited to a maximum total of $75,000 (direct and
indirect costs) and project activity must be completed within 12 months
of the date of the award. Funds may only be used for the activities
that are linked to the desired outcomes of the project.
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This project will be a collaborative venture with the NIC Prisons
Division.
All products from this funding effort will be in public domain and
available to interested agencies through the National Institute of
Corrections.
Deadline for Receipt of Applications
Applications must be postmarked by Friday July 30, 1999. They
should be addressed to: National Institute of Corrections, 320 First
Street, N.W., Room 5007, Washington, D.C. 20534, Attention:
Administrative Officer. Hand delivered applications can be brought to
500 First Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20534. The front desk will
call Bobbi Tinsley at (202) 307-3106, extension 0 for pickup.
ADDRESSES AND FURTHER INFORMATION: Requests for the application kit,
which will include the survey form, should be directed to Judy Evens,
Cooperative Agreement Control Office, National Institute of
Corrections, 320 First Street, N.W., Room 5007, Washington, D.C. 20534
or by calling (800) 995-6423, extension 159 or (202) 307-3106,
extension 159. She can also be contacted by E-mail via jevens@bop.gov.
All technical and/or programmatic questions concerning this
announcement should be directed to Sammie D. Brown at the above address
or by calling (800) 995-6423, or (202) 307-3106, extension 126, or by
E-mail via sbrown@bop.gov. Information may also be obtained through the
NIC website: http://www.nicic.org.
Eligible Applicants: An eligible applicant is any private or non-
profit organization, institution, or individual.
Review Considerations: Applications received under this
announcement will be subjected to an NIC three to five member Peer
Review Process.
Number of Awards: One (1).
NIC Applications Number: 99P10. This number should appear as a
reference line in the cover letter and also in box 11 of Standard Form
424.
Executive Order 12372
This program is subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372.
Executive Order 12372 allows States the option of setting up a system
for reviewing applications from within their States for assistance
under certain Federal programs. Applicants (other than Federally-
recognized Indian tribal governments) should contact their State Single
Point of Contact (SPOC), a list of which is included in the application
kit, along with further instructions on proposed projects serving more
than one State.
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is: 16.603.
Morris L. Thigpen,
Director, National Institute of Corrections.
[FR Doc. 99-15511 Filed 6-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-36-M
