NCJ Number
81596
Date Published
1981
Length
13 pages
Annotation
The organization and authority of the New Jersey Standards Management Team (SMT) are described, and activities related to the accreditation of the State's correctional institutions are discussed.
Abstract
With the advent of the SMT, institutions familiar with departmental standards compliance were encouraged to aim for national accreditation. Accreditation activity guided by the SMT has included institutional self-assessment. The SMT visited all of the adult institutions several times and reviewed each of the standards and its documentation with staffs. Four areas of the American Correctional Association Standards were deficient at almost all institutions: case records, staff training, inmate work programs, and administrative manuals. The SMT received $10,000 in technical assistance funds to help remove noncompliances in these areas. A top priority of the Department of Corrections was to update departmental standards regularly, as well as to develop policies and procedures which the Commissioner and the staff had determined as means of complying with accreditation standards. The technical assistance produced consultant's reports in the four areas of noncompliance. The report on case records provided suggestions on departmental policies and procedures to regulate case records contents. The report on administrative management was used by SMT to aid institutions in developing executive and department manuals. In the area of vocational training, the concepts developed were used in suggesting a feasibility study regarding the development of prison industries for State use. The SMT has developed an audit review procedure in effect at each institution and agency accredited, as well as at those which may be accredited in the near future. Compliance to standards is reviewed semiannually. Some problems encountered by the SMT in its work are identified, and some suggestions for improving the SMT work are offered. A brief grant manager's assessment report is attached. Accreditation has occurred in one halfway house, the probation and parole service, and two of seven adult institutions. The major problem has been the development of a centralized policy and procedure system, which is now almost completed.