Corrections
John Baldwin,
Director
Mission Statement:
To protect the public, the employees, and the offenders
from victimization.
Measures:
Rate of return to prison
Offenders completing GEDs
Victim restitution paid by offenders
Sex offenders returned to treatment
Substance abusing offenders whose
risk is substantially lowered
|
 |
-
Performance Plan - How we measure our progress
-
Strategic Plan - How we plan for progress
-
Performance Report - How we report our progress
-
Department Home Page - Learn more about this department
|
|
Highlighted Measure:
Rate of return to prison.
Data Source: Department of Human Rights, Division of Criminal
and Juvenile Justice Planning
(through FY2000), Department
of Corrections (FY2003 and
beyond)
Updated 5/1/08 |
|
|
Why
this is important:
The primary purpose is public safety, through
reducing the likelihood of new crimes being committed
by repeat offenders.
What we're doing about this:
The Department of Corrections and district departments
of correctional services are continuously working
to improve provision of evidence-based treatment
for offenders both while in prison and upon release.
By evaluating what works, we can stop doing what
doesn't work, and maximize the return on investment
of each corrections dollar spent. It's working.
Offenders released in more recent years are less
likely to return to prison than those released
in the past.
|
|
|
Highlighted
Measure:
Increase in offenders completing
their GED prior to discharge.
Data Source: Department of Corrections
Updated 5/1/08
|
|
|
Why
this is important:
The primary purpose is public safety, through
reducing the likelihood of new crimes being committed
by repeat offenders. According to the Correctional
Education Association, prison inmates who are
involved in education are less likely to be re-arrested,
re-convicted and re-incarcerated than non-participants.
What we're doing about this:
The Department's goal for FY2008 is a 2% increase
in GED completions prior to discharge from the
corrections system. As of October 1, 2007, about
19% of offenders in prison had not graduated
high school and did not have a GED. About the
same percent was seen for offenders discharging
community supervision in FY2007. The Iowa Department
of Corrections status quo budget for FY2008 continues
funding for offender education programs. Additionally,
the Department implemented an on-line offender
case plan in FY2007, which structures and prioritizes
offender needs to include any educational deficits,
and monitors offenders' involvement in those
programs that bet prepare them for reentry into
the community.
|
|
|
Highlighted Measure:
Percent of victim restitution
paid by offenders prior to discharge.
Data Source: Department of Corrections
Updated 5/1/08 |
|
|
Why
this is important:
The primary purpose is restorative justice -
offenders giving back to the community. By paying
back their victim restitution obligations in
full, offenders learn responsibility, as well
as positive values and attitudes that will assist
them in successful reentry into the community.
What we're doing about this:
The Department of Corrections and district departments
of correctional services hold offenders accountable
by assisting them in setting up payment plans,
and monitoring offenders' victim restitution
payments. Also, given that offenders are unable
to pay much restitution while incarcerated, the
Department of Corrections and district departments
of correctional services have formed collaborative
partnerships with communities to facilitate successful
offender reentry. Offenders under community supervision
are able to pay more victim restitution, which
benefits everyone.
|
|
|
Highlighted
Measure:
Percent of resistive/uncooperative
sex offenders returned to treatment.
Data Source: Department of Corrections
Updated 5/1/08
|
|
|
Why
this is important:
The primary purpose is public safety, through
reducing the likelihood of new crimes being committed
by repeat offenders. According to a study by the Division of Criminal
& Juvenile Justice Planning, offenders who successfully
complete sex offender treatment are about three
times less likely to be rearrested for a sex
offense than offenders receiving no treatment.
What we're doing about this:
Sex offender treatment within the Iowa prison
system used to be one-size-fits-all. Commitment
to evidence-based practices has led the Department
to create treatment for shorter-term offenders
(who would otherwise discharge prior to completing
the regular program), a separate program for
offenders with special needs, and the ACT program
for resistive and uncooperative offenders. In
particular, the ACT program is demonstrating
that offenders who are uncooperative can and
do change their attitudes, and because of that,
they can be enrolled in sex offender treatment.
The Department of Corrections target for FY2008
represents a 30% increase in the number of offenders
returned to treatment during FY2007.
|
|
|
Highlighted
Measure:
Percent of substance abusing, higher risk
offenders whose risk is substantially
reduced prior to discharge from
the corrections system.
Data Source: Department of Corrections
Updated 5/1/08
|
|
|
Why
this is important:
The primary purpose is public safety, through
reducing the likelihood of new crimes being committed
by repeat offenders. About 90% of offenders in
Iowa's prison system have a history of alcohol
or drug problems, and about 50% have had problems
with both drugs and alcohol. Substance abuse
treatment is the most common top priority need
of offenders within the prison system, and in
community-based corrections. According to the
National Institute of Justice, illegal drug
use was found to increase the odds of committing
any crime sixfold (Research Preview: Adult Patterns
of Criminal Behavior, Washington, DC, 1996).
What we're doing about this:
The Department of Corrections status quo budget
for FY2008 continues substance abuse treatment
for offenders. Additionally, the Department implemented
an on-line offender case plan in FY2007, which
structures and prioritizes offender needs to
include needs for substance abuse treatment an
aftercare, and monitors offenders' involvement
in those programs that best prepare them for
reentry into the community. It's a matter of
working smarter with the same amount of resources,
and this is happening through commitment to evidence-based
practices. In 2007, performance audit data
was compiled for the Department's prison-based
licensed substance abuse programs, as well as
for community-based corrections treatment options.
As a result of the findings, changes are occurring
which will lead to more effective treatment programs.
The Department of Corrections target for Fy2008
is to increase by 10% the percent of substance
abusing offenders whose risk is substantially
reduced while under custody or supervision.
|
|
|
|
