Correctional Operations Trend Analysis System (COTAS), System Summary

• NCJ Number: 247030
• Date Published: June 2013
• Length: 9 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2006-IJ-CX-K007
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description

Annotation

This is a summary of the features of the Florida Department of Corrections' Correctional Operational Trend Analysis System (COTAS), which is designed to be used as a tool for DOC staff and administrators in "identifying issues before they develop" by consolidating historical information with a predictive scoring system.

Abstract

COTAS historical data encompass inmate data from the last 30 days. This includes data on the each inmate's problem behaviors, particularly violence. COTAS predictive data feature data from the past 20 years in predictive calculations. The predictive software uses a green-yellow-red color scheme in displaying the relative amount of risk for violent events going from green to red in each correctional facility in the State. The inmate risk score is calculated with advanced predictive algorithms that factor in the inmate's number of violent events, the number of months since the last violent event, race, age, gender, and time served. These characteristics are correlated with the historical violence tendencies of others with comparable characteristics in order to calculate an inmate risk score. Inmates transferred into the institution within the past 30 days have a highlighted risk score. This feature of COTAS enables facility staff to review inmate risk scores for the new arrivals. The number of gang members and associates, as well as the number of different gangs within the institution contribute to the facility risk rating. COTAS highlights rival gangs or a high concentration of a single gang in work assignment and dorms. This enables facility administrators to reduce the concentration of gang members and rival gang members in a given space and activity. The Florida Department of Corrections envisions expanding the facility predictor to employee data, which would include, but not be limited to, years of service, disciplinary actions, and arrests.