MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
January 17, 2017
Dear Colleagues,
As my term serving as Director of the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) comes to an end, I wanted to send this message to the thousands of correctional and criminal justice practitioners across America.
During my tenure, our focus at NIC has been to provide leadership, training, and technical assistance to the field of corrections, covering a wide array of topics. For example:
Other efforts at NIC have focused on particular problems within the correctional arena such as restrictive housing (solitary confinement). NIC provides training to state and local practitioners that enhance staff safety and lessen the likelihood individuals will be released directly from restrictive confinement into our communities. These programs enhance and protect public safety.
NIC has also provided special efforts for specific populations within our criminal justice system, providing better chances of success for those justice involved individuals. Our veterans program has shined a spotlight on how we can better manage and support veterans who have served their country, but later found themselves involved in our justice system. Our LGBTI and gender responsive programs have guided correctional agencies on how to respectfully work with and protect these populations. Further, our guidance and training on pretrial and criminal diversion practices have proven successful in controlling and often reducing jail populations, which is also a very sound fiscal practice.
Overall, our most successful programs involve true collaboration at the local and state levels. When criminal justice stakeholders effectively work with one another, the results are positive and successful in meeting mutual goals. We are stronger and more effective at enhancing public safety working together than when we stand alone.
It has been the honor of my professional career to serve as the Director of the National Institute of Corrections, and I thank each member of the criminal justice community for affording me that privilege. I encourage all of you in the field to continue the good work of improving our criminal justice system; what you do is an important service to your country and it matters.
Sincerely,
Jim CosbyDirectorNational Institute of Corrections
This blog is funded by a contract from the National Institute of Corrections, U.S. Department of Justice. Points of view or opinions stated in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.