Public Safety and Justice - Corrections
Massachusetts Department of Correction
Inmate Management System
The Problem
In May 1996 The Point Group was awarded a contract to study and evaluate the reception and classification process of the Massachusetts Department of Correction. This study was intended to identify problem areas and recommend changes that would improve the agency's inmate reception process.
Scope of Work
The areas of inquiry included all elements of the reception process and supporting functions including information gathering, evaluation and classification. The prime goal of the study was to provide a foundation for reducing the length of an offender's reception time from 180 days to 30 days. In support of that goal, the study was chartered to propose organizational and procedural recommendations as well as generic technology recommendations where appropriate.
The study was conducted using a five-step approach:
- Data Collection
- Process Description Preparation
- Issue Identification
- Research
- Recommendations
Results
The study portion of the project was completed over a four-month period from June through September of 1996. As a conclusion to the study, The Point Group prepared a series of implementation plans for the recommended changes, which have been implemented by the DOC. These changes resulted in the desired reduction in offender reception time.
Plymouth County Correctional Facility
Administrative Systems Integration
The Problem
The Plymouth County Jail and House of Correction is an 1140 bed, multi-use facility based on the direct supervision model. The inmate population includes county prisoners, inmates assigned from the state Department of Correction, federal prisoners, and a separate housing pod for juveniles involved in capital crimes. This new facility needed to be equipped with the most up-to-date information technology for all of its business functions.
Scope of work
The Point Group was selected in late 1992 as the IT consultant and project manager for the systems and software necessary to support the facility. The facility was completed on schedule and opened with all systems operational.
Results
The facility was opened in June of 1994 and utilizes the most up-to-date computerized Correctional Management applications to be found in the U.S. The Point Group continues to provide support to the Plymouth County Correctional Facility including help desk support and ongoing enhancement of information technologies.
Norfolk County Correctional Facility
Business Process Analysis and Systems Integration
The Problem
Norfolk County Jail and House of Correction is a 690 bed, multi-use facility based on the direct supervision model. The inmate population includes county prisoners and inmates from the state Department of Correction. The facility was opened in June of 1990. However, a mix of old computer systems, none Y2K compliant and old business practices were in need of modernization.
Scope of Work
After the election of Sheriff, Michael Belotti in November of 1998, The Point Group was selected as the IT consultant for the new correctional systems. The project reviewed all policies, procedures and processes as a baseline to identify the transition issues and tasks necessary. As a result of this review:
An overall project plan was completed dealing with:
- Revisions to Policies and Procedures
- Organization and Responsibilities for Inmate Records
- Network Design and Implementation
- Hardware Selection and Implementation
- Software selection and development
- Data Migration
- Testing and Implementation
- Training
- Introduction of other new technologies (Phone, Imaging)
Results
We are supporting to the Norfolk County Correctional Facility in implementing new technologies including inmate management, imaging, live scan fingerprinting, and help desk support resulting in enhancement of the correctional management environment.