NCJ Number
169012
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 59 Issue: 4 Dated: (July 1997) Pages: 108-111
Date Published
1997
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The Connecticut Department of Corrections (DOC) has addressed the issue of inmate assaults on staff by replacing its traditional celled facilities for assaultive inmates with a facility and program specifically designed for the administrative segregation of these inmates.
Abstract
The traditional policy was to segregate inmates in large numbers in open cells and without program intervention or a structured transition and release program. This approach did not reduce assaultive behavior. Therefore, DOC began building a 300-cell facility specifically designed for these inmates. In addition, a task force reviewed all assaults that occurred during a 1-year period. Results revealed that a disproportionate percentage of the assaults occurred in restrictive housing and that most assaults were isolated incidents that occurred when a dispute between an inmate and a correctional officer escalated. The task force proposed a three-phase model that began with restrictive confinement, shackling, cuffing behind the back, and hands-on escorts. Changes between the phases related to physical restrictions, the size of recreation groups, commissary privileges, telephone privileges, and visitation. The program's classes focused directly on inmates' problem behaviors, including communication and anger management through understanding the culture of violence and recognizing alternatives to assaulting a staff member. The program includes the totality of the inmate's experience and recognizes that every interaction between a staff member and an inmate is a learning opportunity. Data from the 239 inmates released from administrative segregation by March 19, 1997 revealed an annual return rate of 4 percent.