NI J s Technology AssistanceFor CorrectionsBy Gene Atherton and Joe Russo

he National Institute of Justice has an active cor-rections technology program that includes adviso-ry groups that assess the technology needs ofcriminal justice agencies. NU conducts research

and development to improve the safety and effectivenessof correctional technology, provides technical assistanceto people in the field, and serves as an information clear-inghouse. The institute also develops performance stan-dards for critical equipment, such as stab-resistant bodyarmor. And, it works closely with the National Liiw Enforce-ment and Corrections Technology Center - Rocky Moun-tain Region (NLECTC-RM). in partnership with NIJ'sWeapons and Protective Systems Technologies Center ofExcellence.

Rocky Mountain TechnologyAssessment Committee

The Rocky Mountain Technology Assessment Commit-tee (RMTAC), now in its second year of operation, helpscorrectional agencies anticipate technology needs, decidewhat technologies to buy, and learn how to use them. Tliecommittee consists of corrections professionals from jails,state prison systems and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.The group also includes scholars. Membership consists ofindividuals from Colorado, Kansas. Montana, Nebraska,New Mexico, North Dakota. Oklahoma. South Dakota, Texasand Wyoming.

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Modeled after the Northeast Technology and Product.Assessment Committee (NTPAC), the Colorado Departmentof Corrections sponsors RMTAC activities in partnershipwith NLECTC-RM. Participating correctional agencies haveagreed to be a part of RMTAC for two years, assigning atleast one staff person as a member. That representativethen acts «is a source of technology information for his orher home jurisdiction.

The mission of RMTAC is to identify, evaluate and shareinformation on emerging technological advances in prod-ucts and services for corrections. RMTAC accomplishes itsmission by:

• Identifying the needs and requirements of correc-tions professionals;

• Evaluating technology and sharing related informa-tion among the members;

• Sponsoring biannual meetings to network, shareinformation, and to view products and services forcorrections;

• Promoting ongoing partnerships among all correc-tional jurisdictions to share information cind to helpone another in solving problems; and

• Sharing technology information among correctionsprofessionals.

Technology review is the first prior-ity on RMTAC's agenda. Vendor andmanufacturer representatives presenttheir products to the committee andexplain how the technologies work.The committee provides time for anexchange between presenters andRMTAC members. The discussionshelp RMTAC gain a better understand-ing of the technologies, and RMTAC, inturn, provides advice and direction tothe vendors and manufacturers onhow they can better adapt the technologies to corrections.

At times, the committee discusses ideas for new prod-ucts that could address RMTAC members' requirements.RMTAC also schedules educational presentations aboutrelated topics; for example, an architectural firm describedin detail an overall security technology plan for a typicalprison, On another, a specialist from Colorado Technologyuniversity gave a presentation about leadership strategiesthat ensure successful use of technology. The ColoradoDepartment of Corrections is also launching an RMTACWeb site that will have information about the technologyreview ¡jrocess.

NU supports RMTAC. NTPAC and a similar technologyassessment committee (TAC) in the NLECTC-West region.These groups give recommendations to several NU adviso-ry groups that assess the technology needs of criminal jus-tice agencies. Known as technology working groups(TWGs), these groups function within the NLECTC system.The Institutional Corrections TWG, for example, identifiesthe most important technology needs of the nation's jailsand prisons, and has recommended developing new tech-nologies in areas such as contraband detection and officersafety. The information gained from forums between TWGs

NIJ funded developmentof a free software tool

called Field Search,a powerful computerpreview and evidence

gathering tool.

and TACs assist the various technology portfolios withinN1.I in the development of viable program plans. NU is alsointerested in tbe development of other TACs within the U.S.to support additional regional corrections technologyactivities.

Guidance on the Use of GreenTechnologies in Corrections I

The Institutional Corrections TWG has requested publi-cations that can serve as guides for agencies on how toevaluate, select, and use new and existing technologies.Consequently, developing user guides has become a priori-ty for NU. The TWG recommended that the first user guidefocus on "green technologies." Its members have observedIncreasing emphasis on environmentally friendly ways todesign, construct and operate buildings. Key areas includehuman and environmental health, sustainable site develop-ment, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection,and indoor environmental quality. Correctional agencieshave started to capitalize on this movement. Last year, theCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitationannounced 16 new green retrofitting projects that it esti-

mates will save $3 million in energycosts each year.

The green technologies user guideproject will include topics such asnew technologies, how correctionsofficials are using them, issues thatarise when agencies adopt them,lessons learned and return on invest-ment. Correctional agencies willbenefit from the experience andknowledge gained by eariy adoptersof new technologies.

To help launch this project. NIJwill coordinate a panel discussion on

green iiM hnologies at the upcoming ACA Congress ofCorrection in Nashville, Tenn.

Conunnnity Supervision:Monitoring Offender Computer Use

About 70 percent of all sex offenders are supervised inthe community, and almost all of them have access to com-puters and the Internet. Managing and monitoring sexoffenders' computer use is important because, for example,it can alert authorities of a new crime such as possession ofchild pornography. Monitoring computer use allows proba-tion and parole officers to enforce conditions that prohibitaccess to sexual material, dating sites and chat rooms. Itcan also give treatment providers important informationabout the types of sexual material the offender may viewon the computer.

NU funded development of a free software tool calledField Search, a powerful computer preview and evidencegathering tool. Field Search allows probation and paroleofficers to scan an offender's computer and document thefindings. Field Search supports the supervision process intwo main ways. First, an initial computer scan notes the

August 2009 Corrections Today — 49

offender's true sexual interests as evidenced by the materi-al he or she has viewed. This information is invaluable totreatment providers because most offenders are hesitantto reveal this in individual or group therapy. Second, thestage can be set for specific conditions of supervision con-cerning computer use, and Field Search can monitor com-pliance with these conditions from that point forward.

Field Search is easily downloaded onto a USB flashdrive. At the offender's home, the software runs on the tar-get computer. In about 30 minutes. Field Search does anInternet history search, an image search, a media searchand a keyword search. The officer can then view theresults. The program can also create a document thatincludes each item's associated path along with the dateand time each Web site and file was accessed. For images, athumbnail is included in the report. Reports can then beused to brief the treatment team about what was found onthe offender's computer, if necessary, the reports can beused as documentation in a revocation process or othercorrective action.

Since NU introduced Field Search in 2005. more than4,000 criminal justice personnel from around the worldhave downloaded the software.Some have shared copies of theprogram, and NiJ estimates thatabout 10,000 are in use. Althoughthe software has not been subject-ed to a scientific evaluation,reports from the field suggest thatit is a very valuable tool because ofits cost-effectiveness, features andease of use. In addition, evidencecaptured by Field Search is regu-larly used in violation proceedingsand in some cases in furtherance ofcriminal prosecutions.

The original versions of FieldSearch work on computers withWindows operating systems. Thenew FS-MAC version, released inSeptember 2008, allows for scan-ning of Mac computers. For moreinformation or to download FieldSearch, visit www.justnet.org/Pages/fieldsearch. aspx.

NIJ has been involved inthe development of

standards for more than30 years. Most notableamong these efforts has

been NIJ's work intesting and developing

body armor andperformance standards

for ballistic and stabresistance.

Development of Standards forOfifender Tracking Technology

The development of standards for criminal justice is ofcritical importance because of the nature of the work. Theright tools allow people to perform an often-dangerous jobas safely as possible. Standards help to set minimum per-formance requirements for these tools. Moreover, potentialpurchasers have a way to evaluate vendor or manufacturerclaims.

NI.I has been involved in the development of standardsfor more than 30 years. Most notable among these effortshas been NIJ's work in testing and developing body armorand performance standards for ballistic and stabresistance. Current projects include work in the éU'ea of

handcuffs, retention holsters, and chemical, biological,radiological and nuclear (CBRIM) protective ensembles forlaw enforcement.

Based on a recommendation from the CommunityCorrections Technology Working Group, NU will developstandards in the area of offender tracking technology; cur-rently, there are none. NU will convene a special technicalcommittee made up of people who use this technology, aswell as scientific experts and those well versed in stan-dards and testing protocols. An advisory working group,comprised of representatives from national organizationssuch as the American Correctional Association, will reviewthe committee's work.

These efforts will result in an equipment standard, con-formity assessment requirements and a published guidecovering selection and application of the equipment. Theequipment standard will cover the design and performancerequirements and the related test metliods that will verifyperformance. The conformity assessment requirementswill detail the process used to ensure that equipmentmeets the standards or specifications.

The selection and application guide will be an easilytinderstood description of thestandard and conformity assess-ment program. It will includeinformation on the types of tech-nology available, and guidancefor selection. The guide will alsocover maintenance and careof the equipment, applicablecodes and regulations, trainingissues, and sample procurementlanguage. The effort will beginin the summer of 2009 and isexpected to take at least a year tocomplete.

These projects represent justa segment of NIJ's overall correc-tions technology work. NU sup-ports corrections and strives todevelop this portfolio with inputfrom corrections professionals.With the help of these groups,NU will continue to work to meetthe technology needs of the field.

Gene Atherton is program manager for institutional correc-tions for the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Tech-noiogy Center - Rocky Mountain Region, in Denver He canbe contacted at gene.atiierton® nlectc-rm.org. Joe Russo isassistant director with NLECTCRM. He can be contacted atjoe.ruiiso@niectc-nnx)rg. For more infonnation on the i^ationaiInstitute of Justice's corrections technology portfolio, pieasecontact Jack Harne, physical scientist for NIJ. at jack.hame@usdoj.gov.

50 — August 2009 Corrections Today