NCJ Number
168827
Journal
American Jails Volume: 10 Issue: 1 Dated: March/April 1996 Pages: 29-30-36
Date Published
1996
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article provides the latest insights into strategies for developing new jail industry and inmate work programs; it also describes ways to measure progress and report results.
Abstract
The National Institute of Justice studied jail industries in 1988 to provide insights into the best strategies for developing new programs. "The NIJ Workbook: Developing a Jail Industry" has guided many counties in their subsequent efforts. After a 1995 Houston symposium, the Bureau of Justice Assistance commissioned a revision of the Workbook, incorporating the latest experiences of practitioners. A single development process is not recommended by the Bureau of Justice Assistance; rather, key principles and concepts have been identified. There are three "sets" of activities into which the components may be organized: foundation decisions, development activities, and business planning. Foundation decisions include the determination of sources of guidance and policy, goals and objectives for an industry program, what is allowed by law and what standards and regulations apply, who should be served, types of inmates available to work and how they will be selected, methods for motivating inmates, where work can occur, and sources of assistance. Development activities include the determination of financing sources; who will manage the program; how to coordinate with jail programs, security, and classification; potential customers and a process for selecting products and clients; plan to manage risk; and policies and procedures for operations, record keeping, and bookkeeping. Business planning involves developing and implementing a business plan for each distinct industry. The concluding section of this article outlines a process for measuring and reporting accomplishments in the first year.