NCJ Number
179251
Date Published
1999
Length
281 pages
Annotation
This manual details the historical significance of unit management in corrections and provides step-by-step guidelines for understanding, implementing, and evaluating unit management in prisons and jails.
Abstract
The guidelines cover the nature and elements of unit management, the establishment and operation of unit management, the development of the written unit plan, internal classification, the effectiveness of unit management, and differences between prisons and jails. The text notes that unit management incorporates the notion that cooperation is most likely in small groups that have lengthy interactions and that other crucial elements of unit management are decentralization and delegated authority. Other important factors are its support from top administration, the use of three sets of written guidelines, the placement of unit managers at the department-head level, the unit population size based on the unit's mission, permanent assignment of inmates and unit staff to the unit, and assignment of correctional officers for at least 9 months. Unit staff provide 12-hour supervision Monday through Friday and 8 hours on each weekend day. Staff offices are located on the unit or as near to it as possible. Unit personnel receive initial and ongoing formal training regarding their roles and responsibilities. Unit management audits occur at least once a year. Figures; checklists; index; appended sample unit management manual, unit plan, and audit form; and 126 references