Implementation of a Real-Time Correction Intelligence Center

The Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant Program (Byrne Competitive Program) will help communities improve the capacity of state and local justice systems and provide for national support efforts including training and technical assistance programs strategically targeted to address local needs. This competitive grant announcement focuses on initiatives in eight areas: 1) preventing and reducing violent crime through community-based data-driven approaches; 2) providing funding for neighborhood-based probation and parole officers; 3) reducing mortgage fraud and crime related to vacant properties; 4) hiring of civilian support personnel in law enforcement (training staff, analysts, dispatchers, etc.); 5) enhancing forensic and crime scene investigations; 6) improving resources and services for victims of crime; 7) supporting problem-solving courts; and 8) national training and technical assistance partnerships.

Under category 4, New York City, in conjunction with the New York City Department of Correction (DOC), will use the FY 2009 Recovery Act Byrne Competitive funds to create a Real Time Correction Intelligence Center. The goal of this project is to reduce violence in the jails and improve public safety by presenting information now available from a variety of sources and in a variety of formats in a way that will get the right information to the right people at the right time. Recent budget cuts have reduced uniformed and civilian positions in DOC. New York City and DOC will accomplish their goals by hiring 11 employees, purchasing supplies, and financing travel to 2 mandated U.S. Department of Justice meetings. In the beginning, the focus of the new positions will be data analysis, application design, and programming. During the second year and beyond, the emphasis will shift to crime and intelligence analysis, training, and community outreach. The DOC hopes the new hires will help build on the foundation of TEAMS (with its focus on data and evidence) and IU. The Center will combine the expertise of corrections professionals with that of trained analysts, statisticians, and information technology professionals. It will identify, develop, and publish the trends and patterns present in the multitude of available data to develop leading risk indicators.

CA/NCF