NCJ Number
209802
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 32 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2005 Pages: 30,32-36,38,40,41
Date Published
April 2005
Length
9 pages
Annotation
After discussing the need for corrections agencies to collect, analyze, and interpret data that will facilitate proactive responses to prevent problems, this article describes various computer software available to perform these tasks.
Abstract
All the data collected by and available to correctional agencies has little use in management and policy decisions and planning unless it is analyzed to enable staff to more readily identify and respond to criminal activities in correctional facilities. This requires that technologies be identified and applied to mine, organize, and disseminate intelligence data from various sources. An example of such technology is Clementine, SPSS Inc.'s (Chicago, IL) data mining workbench software, which is being used by the Georgia State Criminal Records Repository and parole board to build predictive models that will develop risk assessments, set supervisory strategies, assist in making policy decisions, and identify signs that institutional violence may be imminent. Software developed by Cognos Inc. can run reports on all types of data and transactions, creating visuals that permit easier interpretation and analysis of data, whether it relates to facility operations or inmate management. FileNet Corporation has a software called Enterprise Content Management that can take multiple files from different locations and cross-reference them to facilitate the management of inmates. Software by i2 Inc. Global HQ takes data feeds from various sources and merges them in order to detect suspicious behavior patterns and manage internal investigations. Initiate Systems Inc. is currently involved in a law enforcement project that links records of Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies to Western Washington State/Puget Sound regions.