This Director's Instruction is effective immediately and will remain in effect until incorporated into the appropriate Department Order.

 

PURPOSE: The Department is committed to evidence-based practices that improve facilities operations and better prepare inmates for release as described in the Department's five year strategic plan, strategic issues one and two. This Instruction establishes Direct Supervision and Unit Management as the Department's primary and preferred method of inmate management. Direct Supervision and Unit Management empower Department staff to assume greater responsibility for managing the units, enhancing communications and intelligence gathering, optimizing decision making and problem solving at the unit level, and promoting greater efficiency effectiveness.

 

Direct Supervision and Unit Management were introduced to the Corrections profession in 1974. After more than 30 years of application, hundreds of prisons and jails have adopted these practices. Research assessing its success has encompassed detailed case studies comparing different facilities and systems as well as the same facilities and systems over time. The reports have consistently found that Direct Supervision and Unit Management have led to reduced assaults, suicides and theft, and fewer contraband violations. The studies also concluded correctional employees experienced less tension and stress and greater job satisfaction. Locations utilizing Direct Supervision and Unit Management are safer and more secure, enhancing opportunities for responsible inmate behavior and as a consequence, increasing public safety.

 

PROCEDURES: Effective with the date of this Instruction, Direct Supervision and Unit Management practices and methodology are the preferred methods of inmate supervision and management by uniform and non-uniform staff in the delivery of security, inmate programs and support activities.

 

Wardens shall ensure that Direct Supervision and Unit Management are accomplished by ensuring that all staff satisfactorily completes Direct Supervision and Unit Management training and as provided through pre-service instruction at the Correctional Officers Training Academy and the Department's annual 24-hour in-service training offered by the Staff Development and Training Bureau.

 

To the extent possible, Wardens shall ensure security-staffing patterns are structured to provide Direct Supervision and Unit Management supervision. Security staffing will be in accordance with DI 230, Staffing Procedures and Roster Management, while maintaining congruency with Direct Supervision and Unit Management principles.

 

Wardens shall identify housing units whose design can be modified where applicable and appropriate to remove barriers and/or physical plant impediments and that preclude appropriate contact between staff and inmates in the furtherance of Direct Supervision and Unit Management. The Regional Operations Directors will coordinate these efforts.

 

The Staff Development and Training Bureau will develop an audit instrument that command staff will use to determine the effectiveness of Direct Supervision and Unit Management in their respective areas and make adjustments as warranted.

 

DEFINITIONS:

 

DIRECT SUPERVISION - Evidence based methodology for inmate management through increased communication and interaction between inmates and staff. It fosters problem solving, conflict resolution and improved decision-making at the unit level. It allocates responsibility with the success of unit operations among staff and inmate commensurate with rank.

 

UNIT MANAGEMENT - The decentralized management of inmates within a unit. Unit security and program staff is directed to identify and resolve issues impacting unit operations at the unit level whenever possible. Unit staff is further directed to monitor inmates' compliance and progress towards the timely accomplishment of their corrections plan. The unit management structure encompasses the unit's ADW, the CO IV performing the duties of the unit manager, coordinating the activities of the unit's COIII and CO II staff.