Jail Information Model

• NCJ Number: 216619
• Author(s): John Matthews
• Date Published: November 2006
• Length: 56 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2004-CK-WX-K016
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services; Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program Description (Model)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Downloaded December 18, 2006.

Annotation

This guide presents the Jail Information Model, a formal system for the collection and dissemination of jail information, and presents a summary of results from three pilot sites.

Abstract

Summary results from the first 6 months of the implementation of the Jail Information Model at three pilot sites indicated that while some administrators felt overwhelmed with information, the model succeeded in providing many benefits, such as solving current crimes, reducing future crimes, and improving jail security. The Jail Information Model comprises one part of a national community safety and security strategy designed to improve the mechanisms for information collection and sharing. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, shed light on the critical disconnect between governmental agencies concerning information gathering and sharing, agencies have been strategizing about how to best improve information collection and dissemination. Our Nation’s jail systems provide a unique opportunity to gather information about a range of criminal activities from those being detained for suspected wrongdoing. The Jail Information Model is offered as a framework for the formal, structured collection and appropriate dissemination of jail information. The Jail Information Model provides a continuous cycle of information gathering, coding, dissemination, evaluation, use, and feedback. The model directs jail personnel to collect information about internal jail safety and security issues, criminal activity within the jail, and criminal activity outside the jail. The model then provides a formal mechanism for disseminating that information to the appropriate agencies for action. Each step of the Jail Information Model is described followed by a review of the development of the Jail Information Work Kit, which the three designated pilot sites used to implement the Jail Information Model. The Work Kit includes a detailed description of the model, necessary forms and templates, training information, training posters, and a CD-ROM. Possible obstacles to implementing the Jail Information Model are identified and include labor union agreements, employee resistance, and organizational inflexibility. Exhibits, contact information