[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 16, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3617-3618]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-1209]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

National Institute of Corrections


Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement--Policy-Driven Responses 
to Parole Violations

AGENCY: National Institute of Corrections, Department of Justice.

ACTION: Solicitation for a cooperative agreement.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Justice (DOJ), National Institute of 
Corrections (NIC) announces the availability of funds in FY 01 for a 
cooperative agreement to assist up to six paroling authorities through 
the ``Policy-Driven Responses to Parole Violations'' project. State 
releasing authorities have the legal responsibility for paroled, 
conditional released and some mandatory released offenders. Often times 
the actions taken by releasing authorities in their response to 
violations leads to revocation proceeding, which contributes to prison 
crowding. It is intended that through this solicitation paroling 
authorities will have an opportunity to develop policy guided responses 
in confronting violations. This is not an announcement for applicants 
to receive technical assistance. The purpose of this announcement is to 
select an awardee who will, in conjunction with the National Institute 
of Corrections, select the six paroling authorities, and plan and 
coordinate the work.

Background

    The response to violations by offenders who are serving the 
remaining portion of their sentence in the community and under the 
control of a releasing authority has become a major correctional issue. 
Over all, commitment rates to prison for new offenses has leveled off 
or are declining, while at the same time prison populations continue to 
increase. Much of this increase has been the results of parole and 
probations violators coming to prison as the results of having their 
supervision period revoke by either a judge or a parole board. There 
appears to be a high reliance on incarceration or re-incarceration by 
decision makers in responding to the behaviors of the offender. There 
have been a variety of studies which seem to indicate that the 
appropriateness in responding to violations committed by the offender 
have a greater likelihood of success if the response is directly 
related the risk/need of that offender and incarceration in many 
instances may be the least effective response. Although, a complete 
analysis has not been done, the idea of equity, fairness and 
consistency in the revocation process should be explored to determine 
how and why and under what conditions certain decisions are made.

Project Objectives

    This project will provide technical assistance to up to six 
paroling authorities that are committed to improving the effectiveness 
and efficiency of the way they respond to offenders who violate rules 
and/or conditions of parole, this includes both discretionary and 
mandatory release supervision. The project may also include enhancing 
policies governing rescission practices. (the cancellation of a 
presumptive release date) The intent of this project is to take into 
consideration the following:
    1. The thorough analysis of current practice to determine the 
quantity and quality of data required/available for decision making 
information and the level of commitment of decision makers to use it.
    2. Insure key decision makers are aware/knowledgeable of research 
evidence based on criminogenic need.
    3. Provide key decision makers with information regarding program 
level/options for sanctioning/intervening in violation behavior based 
on assessed risk and responding to criminogenic need.
    4. Forge/initiate working relationship with other criminal justice 
practitioners involved in the revocation process to attain common 
policy.
    5. Articulate written policy on violation and revocation practices 
that the Board will consistently enforce/carry out with the assistance 
of other key community justice practitioners.
    6. Implement data gathering regarding policy decisions.

Scope of Work

    The response to violations involves the exercise of discretion by 
individuals from several organizations, and seldom

[[Page 3618]]

has this complicated process been analyzed by individual states to 
fully understand its impact. The receipt must have the ability to work 
individually and jointly with parole boards, agency administrators, 
supervision staff, and treatment and service providers, in order to 
effectively manage policy development teams. The intent is that the 
recipient of this award will take into consideration the research and 
the practical knowledge of responding to violations, and from that 
knowledge base, assist states to develop policy driven practices for 
organizations to follow. The resulting effect should allow for a more 
rational utilization of prison space, staff allocation (both in the 
field and correctional facilities) and create a meaningful return on 
the investment the state makes in corrections.
    The recipient of this cooperative agreement must prepare a proposal 
that describes their plan to meet the goals/objective which should 
include a schedule identifying benchmarks of significant tasks in chart 
form. Applicants must identify their key project staff and the relevant 
expertise of each. Also, the application should indicate how it will 
work with NIC on an announcement for marketing this project; develop 
selection criteria; and compile information on applicants making 
application. The proposal should present a methodology or approach that 
the applicant proposes to employ in providing technical assistance to 6 
paroling authorities that would incorporate the following and other 
elements deemed appropriate to accomplishing the objectives of the 
project:
     The process for taking decision makers through analysis of 
past practices for parole violations including what data, information 
and decision making policies and practices should be identified, 
collected and analyzed.
     Develop descriptions of acceptable responses to a range of 
violation behaviors and identify the various sanctions and 
interventions strategies to consider.
     Develop future outcome or performance measures for a 
policy-driven parole violation process.
     Determine which dynamic screening, classification and 
assessment system(s) may contribute to improved violation decision-
making and how and when such systems should be used.
     Develop a plan to design, implement and operate 
interventions consistent with the principles of effective interventions 
aimed at reducing risk by confronting parole violators criminogenic 
needs.

    Authority: Public Law 93-415.

    Funds Available: This is a cooperative agreement. A cooperative 
agreement is a form of assistance relationship through which the 
National Institute of Corrections is involved during the performance of 
the award. The award is made to an organization who, in concert with 
the Institute, will solicit and select participating jurisdictions and 
provide them with technical assistance. No funds are transferred to 
state or local government. The Community Corrections Division will 
provide the financial assistance in the form of a cooperative agreement 
to an agency or organization, who makes application. This initiative 
emphasizes policy development by paroling authorities in partnership 
with supervision staff and service delivery organizations. The award 
will be limited to $250,000 (direct and indirect cost) and project 
activity must be completed within 18 months of the date of award. Funds 
may not be used for construction, or to acquire or build real property. 
This project will be a collaborative venture with the NIC Community 
Correction Division.
    Deadline for Receipt of Applications: Applications must be received 
by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 28, 2001. 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.
    Addresses and Further Information: Request for application kit, 
which includes application forms and a copy of this announcement, 
should be directed to 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 or 202-307-
3106, ext. 159, or email: [email protected]. A copy of this announcement 
and application forms may also be obtained through the NIC web site: 
http//www.nicic.org (click on ``Cooperative Agreements''). All 
technical and/or programmatic questions concerning this announcement 
should be directed to Cranston J. Mitchell, Corrections Program 
Specialist at 320 First Street, NW, Room 5007, Washington, DC 20534 or 
by calling 800-995-6423, ext. 153 or 202-307-3106, ext. 153, or by 
email: [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.
    Review Considerations: Applications received under this 
announcement will be subjected to an NIC 3 to 5 member review process.
    Number of Awards: One (1).
    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.
    NIC Application Number: 01C06 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: January 9, 2001.
Morris L. Thigpen,
Director, National Institute of Corrections.
[FR Doc. 01-1209 Filed 1-12-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-36-M