DOJ Jails and Justice Support Center

With over 3,000 jails, 10.3 million admissions in 2019, and an average daily census of 734,500 across the United States, the successful administration of jail facilities is complex. This requires the highest level of professional standards, evidence-based practices, well-trained staff, and constitutionally sound practices to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of residents, staff, and visitors. Jails’ challenges differ from prisons because they have higher population turnover, a broader mix of residents­­––including sentenced and unsentenced––and fewer resources. The proposed project aims to support the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) in establishing the Department of Justice (DOJ) Jails and Justice Support Center (JJSC) to serve as a resource for the field. The JJSC will serve as a central training and technical assistance (TTA) hub by developing core competencies, standards, and model practices. It will also provide specialized training, expert assessments and consultation, peer learning, and professional development. The Center will complement the previously established DOJ Jails Support and Technical Assistance Workgroup and other existing TTA programs by providing jail facilities with information and resources to improve compliance with constitutional and legal requirements.

CNA, in partnership with the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA), the American Jail Association (AJA), the Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), and the National Association of Counties (NACo), will execute four coordinated activities under this program: 1) establish and maintain the DOJ Jails and Justice Support Center to coordinate and prioritize corrections knowledge, policy, practices, and professionalization in service to jail administrations nationwide; 2) establish a collaborative jail advisory group and conduct outreach to jails and corrections organizations; 3) resource and training development relevant to the field, including model policies, core competencies, research on best practices, and trainings; and 4) administering training and technical assistance with outreach to jails to build awareness of the JJSC and establish and maintain a TTA delivery program.

CNA proposes to continue the activities under the current award for the Department of Justice (DOJ) Jails and Justice Support Center (JJSC) and execute the three additional activities noted in the supplement invitation letter from the Bureau of Justice Assistance. With over 3,000 jails in the US, 6.9 million annual admissions and an average daily census of 618,600 in 2021, and the diverse populations that enter jail facilities, managing jail facilities effectively is a complex task. In addition, from 2005 to 2019, while jail incarceration rates across the country decreased by 11 percent, mortality rates in jails increased by 15 percent, driven largely by the prevalence of medical and mental health problems in jail populations. Adherence to strong leadership principles, high professional standards, evidence-based strategies, and constitutional practices are required to ensure and improve the health and safety of jail residents, staff, and visitors. The purpose of our proposal is to assist jails in creating and sustaining safe, effective, and human environments for the people incarcerated in jails, staff working in jails, and those who visit jails. Specific project outcomes for this supplement include providing technical assistance (TA) to eight additional sites, engaging with state associations, and developing additional materials. Expected outcomes for this supplement include increasing the number of JJSC sites receiving direct, intensive TA from 15 to 23; providing approximately seven educational workshops and trainings at state-level sheriff and/or jail administrator associations, including mechanisms for soliciting information and feedback from sheriffs, jail administrators, and other stakeholders in each state; and developing curricula using a train-the-trainer model with scenario-based learning components to meet the emerging challenges and needs of America’s jails. Jails nationwide are the intended beneficiaries of this project. CNA operates the JJSC in partnership with the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA), the American Jail Association (AJA), the Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), the National Association of Counties (NACo), and Rulo Strategies LLC. Subrecipient activities include supporting TA for the JJSC sites, providing subject matter experts for the state-level association engagements, and developing additional materials for the JJSC website.