NCJ Number
196386
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 64 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2002 Pages: 60-62
Date Published
July 2002
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article describes the advantages of developing Web sites for correctional agencies.
Abstract
The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC) is using the Internet to post reports and other documents on the Web site, eliminating hours of copying, collating and labeling, and reducing printing and mailing costs. In 1999, the department began publishing its job postings on the site, resulting in annual savings of $120,000. DRC began posting requests for proposals (RFPs) for its two private prisons on the Web site. Interested bidders can download the RFP document, receive updates on the process, communicate with the project representative, and submit questions to which answers are posted for all parties to review. Recently, DRC relied on the Web site as a means of contracting for institutional services such as medical and dental care. Several monthly reports also are available on the site. An e-mail alerts the interested parties when the reports are available for downloading. A department-wide intranet (a private network within the agency) was developed to eliminate the three-volume set of department policies. A memo now is e-mailed when policies are updated on the intranet; employees read the policies online. The department telephone directory is now updated online every 3 months. An intranet-based fiscal database is automating management reports for institutions and program staff. The implementation of this database had an immediate and profound impact on the department’s ability to conduct business. Another valuable service provided through the intranet is the online resources page. Certain Web sites are opened, allowing access to the intranet within prisons for staff to access court sites, Web-based paging, professional organizations, and online employee benefits. Because of a renewed budget crunch in Ohio, exploring new ways to use Web technology to reduce costs and increase employee efficiency will be a necessity.