NCJ Number
208278
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 66 Issue: 7 Dated: December 2004 Pages: 118-121
Date Published
December 2004
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes intelligence gathering in correctional facilities.
Abstract
Domestic and international intelligence has become a vitally important part of national security efforts. The correctional community has had a large amount of Federal, State, and local intelligence that now must be shared in a more cooperative manner with outside law enforcement agencies. This intelligence sharing has been difficult because the traditional view of correctional intelligence is that it only pertains to incidents within prison walls. This view is changing as intelligence gathered by correctional agencies has helped in the prosecution of terrorist activities, organized crime, and major drug and gang cases. The history of correctional intelligence is recounted as growing out of the formation of gangs in prisons during the 1950’s and 1960’s. The recent emergence of partnerships between correctional agencies and Federal, State, and county law enforcement agencies is discussed as having a positive effect on intelligence operations; specific partnerships in California, New Jersey, and with Federal agencies are described. Correctional agencies are encouraged to begin intelligence gathering programs in their local systems with assistance provided by the Regional Information Sharing System Program (RISS).