(BOP) - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced a partnership to conduct a comprehensive and rigorous study of the use and impact of restrictive housing in federal correctional facilities. The Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) and the Office of Justice Program's National Institute of Justice (NIJ) have partnered to advance the science and practice of corrections and to ensure data and research inform correctional policies. The partnership also responds to the recommendations of DOJ's Report and Recommendations Concerning the Use of Restrictive Housing, which called for more research on the prevalence and effects of restrictive housing and the development of alternatives to its use.
After a competitive bidding process, RTI International was selected as the research entity that will be conducting the study. The study will examine the reasons, duration and outcomes of restrictive housing placements in FBOP institutions. It will also assess the extent to which FBOP policies and practices align with evidence-based standards and best practices for reducing the use of restrictive housing.
"The proper care of those in our custody and the safety and well-being of our employees are key tenets of our mission at the Federal Bureau of Prisons," said FBOP Director Colette S. Peters. "My decades of experience in corrections has made me acutely aware of the harms that restrictive housing may cause to a person's mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Research confirms for us that it is not an effective deterrent, and generally does not reduce institutional-level misconduct or violence. While FBOP has reformed its restrictive housing policies over the years, it is now time to take a deeper dive into our practices and compare them to best practices across this country and around the globe."
The study will provide recommendations for reforms designed to enhance the safety, security and well-being of employees and incarcerated individuals, as well as promote the successful reentry of incarcerated people into society. Both agencies have expressed a commitment to making the findings of this multi-year research study public and making improvements in policies and accountability mechanisms as a result of the findings.
"Research is essential in identifying opportunities to establish correctional environments that are conducive to rehabilitation and promote safety for all who reside and work in them," noted NIJ Director Nancy La Vigne. "This study will shed light on practices that lead to the overuse of restrictive housing and highlight opportunities to create more humane experiences for people in FBOP custody."
Information about the National Institute of Justice is available at www.nij.gov. Information about the Federal Bureau of Prisons is available at www.bop.gov.