Going Beyond the Sales Pitch

• NCJ Number: 211920
• Journal: Techbeat Dated: Fall 2003
• Date Published: 2003
• Length: 3 pages
• Grant Number(s): 1996-MU-MU-K011
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description

Annotation

This article describes the mission and activities of the Northeast Technology and Product Assessment Committee (NTPAC), which was established to provide a regional forum for sharing information about corrections technologies, so as to benefit both correctional agencies and the vendors of corrections technologies.

Abstract

For the past 3 years, NTPAC's quarterly meetings have brought together representatives from its member organizations to watch vendor demonstrations of products in development and listen to presentations on the latest technological advances. Participant interactions in the context of demonstrations and presentations provide feedback to vendors on how they might develop or modify products to meet the expressed needs of corrections professionals. NTPAC meetings also include informal training on specific technologies. Representatives of correctional departments are not the only NTPAC members. The U.S. Army Natick Soldier Center (NSC) and its National Protection Center (NPC) also attend the quarterly meetings. NSC performs research and development for protective gear for the U.S. Army and the Marines. In addition to quarterly meetings, NTPAC members stay current through a limited-access Web site, which provides information on products States have purchased and contacts for more information. There is a desire among NTPAC members to link with other appropriate groups and State technology committees and to assist in replicating NTPAC in other regions, which would expand even further the sharing of information on corrections technological developments and testing.