[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 63 (Friday, March 31, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17310-17311]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-7946]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

National Institute of Corrections


Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement--Development of 
Comprehensive Objective Prison Classification Systems

AGENCY: National Institute of Corrections, Department of Justice.

ACTION: Solicitation for a cooperative agreement.

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SUMMARY: This project will provide technical assistance to correctional 
agencies to update and improve objective classification systems; to 
build capacities in correctional agencies that will enable them to 
continue improvements; to validate or re-validate classification risk 
instruments; to expand the knowledge of research and strategies for 
appropriate and effective correctional classification practices that 
respond to emerging issues and management concerns; and to encourage 
the development of comprehensive objective classification systems.
    The components of comprehensive objective prison classification 
systems will include external classification (security and custody for 
facility placement and supervision, including validation of risk 
instruments); internal classification (systems for guiding housing, 
work and program assignments within facilities); identification of 
desirable enhancements to the classification systems through 
information technology; development of gender-responsive strategies to 
appropriately classify women offenders; as well as to promote effective 
correctional practices for such areas as intake, needs assessment, 
community transition, and management of high risk offenders.
    The recipient of this cooperative agreement award will provide on-
site technical assistance to six to eight state correctional agencies 
that are assessing, validating and improving objective prison 
classification systems. This work will emphasize the importance of 
strategic planning and development of comprehensive objective prison 
classification systems that incorporate a strategically planned 
continuum of management strategies linking the essential and desirable 
elements of objective prison classification.
    This project will also facilitate a two-day training program at the 
NIC Training Academy in Longmont, CO, and produce a record of 
proceedings of the peer training with practitioners.
    Project Objectives: The primary objectives of this cooperative 
agreement are to provide concentrated on-site technical assistance to 
selected correctional agencies requesting assistance and to advance the 
development of comprehensive objective prison classification systems.
    Scope of Work: There will be three major components in the scope of 
work:

1. Technical Assistance

    On-site technical assistance will be provided to at least six 
correctional agencies through a clear, well-organized work plan that is 
responsive to each agency's needs and level of sophistication. This 
will require classification experts that are knowledgeable of 
correctional operations and principles of objective prison 
classification; have expertise in assessment, evaluation and validation 
research; understand the needs of practitioners and correctional 
agencies; are informed and sensitive to requirements for addressing 
gender-specific issues; and have demonstrated effectiveness in project 
management.

2. Training Program

    Peer training will be conducted at the NIC Training Academy in 
Longmont, CO, with practitioners from a number of state correctional 
agencies that have recently received assistance through NIC. This will 
provide knowledgeable classification practitioners exposure to national 
issues through peer discussions facilitated by classification experts. 
The program will provide a forum for sharing developments in objective 
prison classification and provide an opportunity to broaden the 
understanding of better practices in prison classification. A report 
will be developed through the cooperative agreement to record the 
proceedings of the of the peer training.
    NIC will provide funding for participant travel for the training 
program separately from the award.

3. Guidelines and Other Publications or Reports

    A guidelines publication will be written on the development and 
management of comprehensive objective prison classification systems by 
utilizing classification experts, recommendations from practitioners, 
and knowledge developed in previous multi-year projects. The 
publication will focus on the development of comprehensive systems and 
represent the current thinking on objective prison classification. The 
document must be well-organized and written in understandable language 
for people with classification and non-classification experience. All 
parts should be illustrated by case examples and lessons learned from 
NIC's recent state projects, state reports and training programs.
    Each state that receives technical assistance through this 
cooperative agreement will be provided with a full report with analysis 
of the data, recommendations and detailed summaries of the work.
    At the conclusion of the cooperative agreement, a final report, not 
to exceed 50 pages, will be submitted for publication describing the 
issues and developments with states receiving technical assistance.
    In consultation with NIC, documents developed through the 
cooperative agreement must be submitted as an edited final camera-ready 
copy for NIC publication in accordance with the NIC Preparation of 
Printed Materials for Publication. All products from this

[[Page 17311]]

funding effort will be in the public domain and available to interested 
parties through the National Institute of Corrections.
    Submission of Proposals: Applicants must provide goals, objectives, 
and methods of implementation for the project that are consistent with 
the announcement. Objectives should be clear, measurable, attainable, 
and focused on the methods used to conduct the project. Work activities 
will be coordinated closely with the NIC Program Manager.
    Applicants should submit an implementation plan for the project to 
begin immediately following an award with a schedule in chart form 
which will demonstrate milestones for significant tasks. The timetable 
for the first quarter of the project must include making preparations 
for the training program that is scheduled for September 2000, the 
initial selection of sites, and starting on-site assistance.

    Authority: Public Law 93-415.

    Funds Available: The award will be limited to $300,000 (direct and 
indirect costs) and project activity must begin within 30 days of the 
date of award and be completed within 15 months. Funds may not be used 
for construction, or to acquire or build real property. This project 
will be a collaborative venture with the NIC Prisons Division.
    Deadline for Receipt of Applications: Applications must be received 
by 4:00 PM on Friday, April 28, 2000. They should be addressed to: 
Director, National Institute of Corrections, 320 First Street, NW, Room 
5007, Washington, DC 20534. Hand delivered applications should be 
brought to 500 First Street, NW, Washington, DC 20534. The front desk 
will call Bobbi Tinsley at (202) 307-3106, extension 0 for pickup.
    Executive Order 12372: This program is subject to the provisions of 
Executive Order 12372. Executive Order 12372 allows States the option 
of setting up a system for reviewing applications from within their 
States for assistance under certain Federal programs. Applicants (other 
than Federally-recognized Indian tribal governments) should contact 
their State Single Point of Contact (SPOC), a list of which is included 
in the application Kit, along with further instructions on proposed 
projects serving more than one State.
    Addresses and Further Information: Requests for the application kit 
should be directed by Judy Evens, Cooperative Agreement Control Office, 
National Institute of Corrections, 320 First Street, NW, Room 5007, 
Washington, DC 20534 or by calling 800-995-6423, ext. 159, 202-307-
3106, ext. 159, or e-mail: [email protected]. A copy of this announcement 
and application forms may be obtained through the NIC web site: http://www.nicic.org (click on ``What's New,'' and ``Cooperative 
Agreements''). Additional documents can be found through this web site 
under ``Publications.'' All technical and/or programmatic questions 
concerning this announcement should be directed to Sammie Brown, 
Program Manager, at 320 First Street, NW, Room 5007, Washington, DC 
20534 or by calling 800-995-6423, ext. 126, 202-307-3106, ext. 126, or 
e-mail: [email protected].
    Eligibility Applicants: An eligible applicant is any state or 
general unit of local government, public or private agency, educational 
institution, organization, team, or individual with the requisite 
skills to successfully meet the outcome objectives of the project. 
Collaborative teams involving practitioners, researchers, and other 
individuals with expertise and experience in specialized prison 
classification functional areas are encouraged.
    Review Considerations: Applications received under this 
announcement will be subjected to an NIC 3 to 5 member Peer Review 
Process.
    Number of Awards: One (1)
    NIC Application Number: 00P13. This number should appear as a 
reference line in your cover letter and also in box 11 of Standard Form 
424.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 16.603)

    Dated: March 27, 2000.
Morris L. Thigpen,
Director, National Institute of Corrections.
[FR Doc. 00-7946 Filed 3-30-00; 8:45 am]
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