[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 122 (Friday, June 25, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34269-34270]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-16175]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

National Institute of Corrections


Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement

    Summary: The Department of Justice (DOJ), National Institute of 
Corrections (NIC), announces the availability of funds in FY 1999 for a 
cooperative agreement to fund the ``Development of a Training Video on 
Staff Sexual Misconduct.''
    The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) invites application for 
a cooperative agreement to develop a training video and companion 
facilitator's manual on the prevention of staff sexual misconduct with 
inmates. To expand the Institute's capacity to assist correctional 
agencies in working with line staff, the award recipient will develop a 
video to be used by agency training personnel. The video will emphasize 
state and federal laws that address sexual misconduct, case histories 
demonstrating the dynamics of staff sexual misconduct, and preventative 
remedies for avoiding misconduct. The companion manual will guide 
trainers in delivering the training through interactive discussion with 
trainees on key points in the video and applying the training to the 
state or local setting.
    The award recipient will become familiar with the work currently 
being done at NIC on issues related to staff sexual misconduct and will 
develop strategies for capturing this information in video and training 
formats. The recipient will refine training outcomes for the video and 
training guide in collaboration with NIC.
    This will be collaborative venture with the NIC Prisons Division. A 
total of $80,000 is reserved for the project which will support one 
cooperative agreement for a 12 month period. The recipient of the award 
will be selected through a competitive solicitation process. Andie Moss 
is the designated NIC project manager.

Background

    The fine balance in the relationships of staff and inmates is 
critical to the well being of both staff and offenders. Even so, the 
opportunities have been limited for effective line staff training that 
addresses the difficult situations of

[[Page 34270]]

an emotional or sexual nature that can occur between staff and inmates. 
Since the mid nineties NIC has provided leadership in addressing the 
issues of staff sexual misconduct through training seminars and on-site 
technical assistance and local departments of corrections. The 
Institute has developed training materials for state prison systems 
that address policy and practice, the importance of state law, the 
investigative process, staff training and responses to the media. 
Through this work, NIC recognizes the need for training tools/teaching 
aids that increase the capacity of agency trainers of deliver 
effective, consistent training to multiple sites with large number of 
staff.

Purpose

    This project is intended to provide agency trainers with:
     A training video with a strong emphasis on staff's 
understanding of their role in the prevention of staff sexual 
misconduct.
     A companion trainer's guide to address the major points in 
the video with opportunities for group discussion.

Project Content

    The proposal should demonstrate and understanding of key content 
areas such as: definitions of staff sexual misconduct, and overview of 
federal and state laws that impact staff, case examples and remedies 
for prevention of staff sexual misconduct, and the impact of the 
professional and emotional damage created in sexual misconduct cases. 
It should demonstrate an understanding of the imblance of power between 
staff and inmates. While it has been the experience of the Institute 
that a video presentation of 12-15 minutes allows for flexibility in 
the training design and delivery in correctional setting, proposers are 
encouraged to offer their own recommendations regarding length of video 
and format.

A. Required Activity

     Initial meeting with NIC staff for an overview of the 
Institute's training and technical assistance activities that are 
relvant to the development of the video and training guide.

B. Other Possible Activities

     Interviews with key personnel in state and local 
jurisdictions with experience in the management of or investigative 
response to sexual misconduct; i.e., commissioners, investigators, and 
wardens.
     Interviews with line staff and institutional supervisors.
     Interviews with former inmates and/or staff involved in 
incidents of staff sexual misconduct.
     Interviews with persons with particular interest in 
addressing staff sexual conduct; i.e., family members, psychologists, 
legislators, and legal community.
     Examination of the current federal and state law that 
addresses staff sexual misconduct.
     Development and presentation of case examples involving 
staff misconduct that lead to or conclude with inappropriate 
involvement with inmates.
     Identification of ``red flags'' that can alert a staff 
member to the danger signs for themselves or for co-workers.

    Authority: Public Law 93-415.

Funds Available

    The award will be limited to a maximum total of $80,000 (direct and 
indirect costs) and project activity must be completed within 8 months 
of the date of the award. Funds may only be used for the activities 
that are linked to the desired outcomes of the project. This project 
will be a collaborative venture with the NIC Prisons Division.
    All products from this funding effort will be in the public domain 
and available to interested agencies through the National Institute of 
Corrections.
    Deadline for Receipt of Applications: Applications must be received 
by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 3, 1999. They should be addressed to: 
National Institute of Corrections, 320 First Street, NW, Room 5007, 
Washington, D.C. 20534, Attention: Director. Hand delivered 
applications can be brought to 500 First Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 
20534. The front desk will call Bobbi Tinsley at (202) 307-3106, 
extension 0 for pickup.
    Addresses and Further Information: Requests for the application 
kit, which consists of a copy of this announcement and copies of the 
forms and instructions for filing, should be directed to Judy Evens, 
Cooperative Agreement Control Office, National Institute of 
Corrections, 320 First Street, N.W., Room 5007, Washington, D.C. 20534 
or by calling (800) 995-6423, extension 159 or (202) 307-3106, 
extension 159. She can also be contacted by E-mail via [email protected]. 
All technical and/or programmatic questions concerning this 
announcement should be directed to Andie Moss at the above address or 
by calling (800) 995-6423, or (202) 307-3106, extension 140, or by E-
mail via [email protected]. Application forms may also be obtained through 
the NIC website: http://www.nicic.org.

Eligible Applicants

    An eligible applicant is any private or non-profit organization, 
institution, individual, or team with expertise in production of 
training videos and related training materials.

Review Considerations

    Applications received under this announcement will be subjected to 
an NIC three to five member Peer Review Process.
    Number of Awards: One (1).
    NIC application Number: 99P12 This number should appear as a 
reference line in the over letter and also in box 11 of Standard Form 
424.

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is: 16.601.
Morris L. Thigpen,
Director, National Institute of Corrections.
[FR Doc. 99-16175 Filed 6-24-99; 8:45 am]
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