OATdb Archive

2008 - 2009

Criminal Justice, CMIT

Goal
1. Be Recognized For Excellence
To provide professional development programs and training initiatives to individuals in the field of corrections.

Objective
1. Effective Training & Leadership Development
To provide effective training and leadership development skills to individuals operating prisons throughout the United States through the Warden's Peer Interaction Training.

Indicator
1. Program Evaluation
Informal program evaluation conducted at the completion of the training by the project coordinator and project manager based on prior knowledge of effective training and participant comments, ideas and suggestions.

Criterion
1. Satisfactory Informal Evaluation
Obtain a satisfactory informal evaluation at the program's completion according to the project coordinator and project manager.

Finding
1. Satisfactory Evaluation
The program was found to have a satisfactory evaluation by the project manager and project coordinator through informal observations and participant feedback.

Action
1.a. Additional Facilitator
The Warden's Peer Interaction training, "provides a forum for Wardens to network with peers, discuss current management and direction of prison operations and programs, identify and discuss critical issues facing prison management, and prepare strategies for handling critical correctional challenges". Because the program is in a seminar setting, providing effective facilitators for the program is essential.

Through the informal evaluation done by the project manager and project coordinator of the program, the need for an additional facilitator was apparent. During the 2009 - 2010 year, an additional facilitator will be brought into the Warden's program to ensure that the program runs more smoothly and to bring an added level of expertise and point of view into the training.

Action
1. Program Rescheduled
The Warden's Peer Interaction program achieved its objective, to "provide effective training and leadership development skills to individuals operating prisons throughout the United States". Proof of attainment of this goal was obtained by the informal observation of the project manager and project coordinator for the training. These individuals spent time in the classroom and with the participants, evaluating the program as it progressed by utilizing their own professional knowledge of previous effective trainings as well as by listening to participant ideas, complaints and concerns.

Further, the Warden's Peer Interaction program has the following goals: (1) to contribute to CMIT's recognition for excellence, (2) to provide leadership to the corrections field, (3) and to prove CMIT's willingness to recognize and address windows of opportunity in the field. In addition to the course's objective being met, the goals of this program have also been satisfied. The program continues to be invaluable, based on participant feedback, to the field because of its nature to allow idea-sharing, problem solving, and national networking among the Warden participants.

It continues to provide leadership skills and knowledge to the participants through the interaction in the program. Each facility comes to the training ready to present on a subject of their choosing. After, the group and a facilitator relate in a seminar setting. Here, best-practices, lessons learned, suggestions for improvement, etc. are discussed among the group.

Finally, CMIT addresses its windows of opportunity by offering such a program to Wardens of prisons from around the country, an opportunity unique to CMIT.

Because the program has successfully achieved its goals and objectives, it has been rescheduled for the 2009 - 2010 CMIT calendar.

Objective
2. Effective Training
To provide effective training to individuals operating jails throughout Texas with the Annual Jail Conference.

Indicator
2. Program Evaluation
Program evaluation conducted at the completion of the training by the program participants. Participants rate each session of the program based on a 5.0 scale. Participants also rate the overall training's (1) content and (2) applicability to their needs on a 5.0 scale. Each area of the evaluation has room for individual participant comments which gives greater depth of knowledge about the ratings.

Criterion
2. 4.0+ Satisfaction Rating
Obtain an average score above 4.0 on a 5.0 scale together with written participant comments on a formal evaluation.

Finding
2. 4.0+ Satisfaction Rating
The Jail Management Conference exceeded the 4.0 satisfaction rating based on formal participant evaluations. The program obtained an overall score on "content" of 4.33 and on "applicable to your needs" of 4.27. The evaluation's participant comments were also overall favorable.

Action
2.a. Additional Breakout Sessions
This past year, the Annual Jail Conference followed a tract system, where all participants were in the same general sessions throughout the days of the conference. Those sessions included, Correctional Coaching: Teaching Managers to be Coaches, Character Driven Success, Conflict Management, Leadership, and Strategic Time & Stress Management.

Based on the program evaluations, the project coordinator for this conference has decided that next year the conference will feature breakout sessions. This is where more than one session is offered at the same time so that participants may attend a session that aligns better to his/her interests or experience.

By addressing participant concerns in this area, the program will grow into the next training year as it continues to focus on the goal of recognition of excellence for CMIT as well as providing effective training. Participants will be more engaged, receive applicable information, and leave the conference with knowledge about subjects they chose and in which they had an interest, as well as those that relate more directly to their particular job demands.

Action
2. Program Rescheduled
The Annual Jail Conference had a goal to "provide effective training to individuals operating jails throughout Texas". This past year, the conference featured the following topics: Correctional Coaching: Teaching Managers to be Coaches, Character Driven Success, Conflict Management, and Leadership, Strategic Time & Stress Management. The program had 158 participants from a number of facilities around Texas.

Further, the Jail Conference has a goal of contributing to CMIT's recognition as a program of excellence. In order to determine if the goals and objectives of the program are being met, each participant is given an evaluation for all portions of the program as well as an evaluation in which he/she rates the overall conference. These evaluations can be seen under "Findings".

The project coordinator for this program has reviewed each of the evaluations and has determined that based on the overall scores and participant comments, the conference was a success. Although some sessions did not score the requisite 4.0/5.0 success rating, the overall conference content scored a 4.33 and the applicability of the conference scored a 4.27, well above the determinate score. Participant comments were overall positive and showed that the goal of CMIT being recognized for excellence was met and surpassed. In addition, the evaluations proved that through this program, CMIT offered effective training in that the program scored so well on its applicability to the field. Not only are participants learning, but they are learning in such a way that their occupations will be positively impacted.

Objective
3. Effective Training & Leadership Development
To provide effective training and leadership development skills to individuals in correctional support staff roles throughout Texas with the Leadership for Support Staff Conference.

Indicator
3. Program Evaluation
Program evaluation conducted at the completion of the training by the program participants. Participants rate each session of the program based on a 5.0 scale. Participants also rate the overall training on a 5.0 scale. Each area of the evaluation has room for individual participant comments which gives greater depth of knowledge about the ratings.

Criterion
3. 4.0+ Satisfaction Rating
Obtain an average score above 4.0 on a 5.0 scale together with written participant comments on a formal evaluation.

Finding
3. Satisfactory Evaluation
The Leadership for Support Staff Conference exceeded the 4.0 satisfaction rating based on formal participant evaluations. The program obtained an overall score on "content" of 4.65 and on "applicable to your needs" of 4.61. The evaluation's participant comments were also overall favorable.

Action
3. Program Rescheduled
The Leadership for Support Staff Conference hosted 143 women and men from across Texas. These individuals serve in a support staff role across the spectrum of criminal justice-related facilities in Texas. This program serves to inspire, motivate and lead these individuals so that they can return to work with a host of meaningful tools to be more effective on a day-to-day basis.

One of the goals of this training is to further CMIT's mission of being recognized for excellence in the corrections field. According to the evaluations for this conference, Leadership for Support Staff met this goal. The participants left inspired, motivated and energetic about their work. They rated the conference content with high marks, and their comments were quite positive regarding the speakers, activities and conference as a whole(4.65 / 5.0).

Another goal of the conference was to provide leadership development skills. This conference hosted speakers that engaged students in the topics of, Taking the Lead in Supporting Your Organization, I Love My Job...It's the People I Have a Problem With, Harness the Wind: Breakthrough to Success, Improving Your Personal Financial Management, and Character Driven Success. The students were left with information and strategies specifically related to engaged leadership. In addition, the students responded to the applicability of these topics by scoring them with a 4.61/5.0. Not only were the topics inspiring and informational, they were scored as being directly applicable to the participants' occupations.

The conference met its goals and also met its objective to, "provide effective training and leadership development skills to individuals in correctional support staff roles throughout Texas". The conference evaluations, again, support this assertion. Because this conference met its goals and related objectives, it has been rescheduled for the next training year.

Action
3.a. Speaker Scheduling
As indicated in the evaluations, two speakers received a less than favorable evaluation. One made a content score of 4.10 and an applicability score of 3.98, the other made a content score of 3.68 and an applicability score of 3.65. These scores, along with the participant comments, do not meet the expectations held for the conference. Because these individuals did not meet expectations, they will not be invited to return to the conference next year.

However, the remaining speakers made exceptional scores in content (4.83, 4.26, 4.88) and applicability (4.78, 4.28, 4.86). At least two of them will be asked to return for the next conference. Frequently, speakers are changed from year to year in order to keep the program fresh. However, it is always preferable to keep a few returning speakers on the agenda, since we are familiar with their outstanding capabilities.

Goal
2. Provide Leadership
To provide leadership and direction to the corrections profession.

Objective
1. Effective Training & Leadership Development
To provide effective training and leadership development skills to individuals operating prisons throughout the United States through the Warden's Peer Interaction Training.

Indicator
1. Program Evaluation
Informal program evaluation conducted at the completion of the training by the project coordinator and project manager based on prior knowledge of effective training and participant comments, ideas and suggestions.

Criterion
1. Satisfactory Informal Evaluation
Obtain a satisfactory informal evaluation at the program's completion according to the project coordinator and project manager.

Finding
1. Satisfactory Evaluation
The program was found to have a satisfactory evaluation by the project manager and project coordinator through informal observations and participant feedback.

Action
1.a. Additional Facilitator
The Warden's Peer Interaction training, "provides a forum for Wardens to network with peers, discuss current management and direction of prison operations and programs, identify and discuss critical issues facing prison management, and prepare strategies for handling critical correctional challenges". Because the program is in a seminar setting, providing effective facilitators for the program is essential.

Through the informal evaluation done by the project manager and project coordinator of the program, the need for an additional facilitator was apparent. During the 2009 - 2010 year, an additional facilitator will be brought into the Warden's program to ensure that the program runs more smoothly and to bring an added level of expertise and point of view into the training.

Action
1. Program Rescheduled
The Warden's Peer Interaction program achieved its objective, to "provide effective training and leadership development skills to individuals operating prisons throughout the United States". Proof of attainment of this goal was obtained by the informal observation of the project manager and project coordinator for the training. These individuals spent time in the classroom and with the participants, evaluating the program as it progressed by utilizing their own professional knowledge of previous effective trainings as well as by listening to participant ideas, complaints and concerns.

Further, the Warden's Peer Interaction program has the following goals: (1) to contribute to CMIT's recognition for excellence, (2) to provide leadership to the corrections field, (3) and to prove CMIT's willingness to recognize and address windows of opportunity in the field. In addition to the course's objective being met, the goals of this program have also been satisfied. The program continues to be invaluable, based on participant feedback, to the field because of its nature to allow idea-sharing, problem solving, and national networking among the Warden participants.

It continues to provide leadership skills and knowledge to the participants through the interaction in the program. Each facility comes to the training ready to present on a subject of their choosing. After, the group and a facilitator relate in a seminar setting. Here, best-practices, lessons learned, suggestions for improvement, etc. are discussed among the group.

Finally, CMIT addresses its windows of opportunity by offering such a program to Wardens of prisons from around the country, an opportunity unique to CMIT.

Because the program has successfully achieved its goals and objectives, it has been rescheduled for the 2009 - 2010 CMIT calendar.

Objective
3. Effective Training & Leadership Development
To provide effective training and leadership development skills to individuals in correctional support staff roles throughout Texas with the Leadership for Support Staff Conference.

Indicator
3. Program Evaluation
Program evaluation conducted at the completion of the training by the program participants. Participants rate each session of the program based on a 5.0 scale. Participants also rate the overall training on a 5.0 scale. Each area of the evaluation has room for individual participant comments which gives greater depth of knowledge about the ratings.

Criterion
3. 4.0+ Satisfaction Rating
Obtain an average score above 4.0 on a 5.0 scale together with written participant comments on a formal evaluation.

Finding
3. Satisfactory Evaluation
The Leadership for Support Staff Conference exceeded the 4.0 satisfaction rating based on formal participant evaluations. The program obtained an overall score on "content" of 4.65 and on "applicable to your needs" of 4.61. The evaluation's participant comments were also overall favorable.

Action
3. Program Rescheduled
The Leadership for Support Staff Conference hosted 143 women and men from across Texas. These individuals serve in a support staff role across the spectrum of criminal justice-related facilities in Texas. This program serves to inspire, motivate and lead these individuals so that they can return to work with a host of meaningful tools to be more effective on a day-to-day basis.

One of the goals of this training is to further CMIT's mission of being recognized for excellence in the corrections field. According to the evaluations for this conference, Leadership for Support Staff met this goal. The participants left inspired, motivated and energetic about their work. They rated the conference content with high marks, and their comments were quite positive regarding the speakers, activities and conference as a whole(4.65 / 5.0).

Another goal of the conference was to provide leadership development skills. This conference hosted speakers that engaged students in the topics of, Taking the Lead in Supporting Your Organization, I Love My Job...It's the People I Have a Problem With, Harness the Wind: Breakthrough to Success, Improving Your Personal Financial Management, and Character Driven Success. The students were left with information and strategies specifically related to engaged leadership. In addition, the students responded to the applicability of these topics by scoring them with a 4.61/5.0. Not only were the topics inspiring and informational, they were scored as being directly applicable to the participants' occupations.

The conference met its goals and also met its objective to, "provide effective training and leadership development skills to individuals in correctional support staff roles throughout Texas". The conference evaluations, again, support this assertion. Because this conference met its goals and related objectives, it has been rescheduled for the next training year.

Action
3.a. Speaker Scheduling
As indicated in the evaluations, two speakers received a less than favorable evaluation. One made a content score of 4.10 and an applicability score of 3.98, the other made a content score of 3.68 and an applicability score of 3.65. These scores, along with the participant comments, do not meet the expectations held for the conference. Because these individuals did not meet expectations, they will not be invited to return to the conference next year.

However, the remaining speakers made exceptional scores in content (4.83, 4.26, 4.88) and applicability (4.78, 4.28, 4.86). At least two of them will be asked to return for the next conference. Frequently, speakers are changed from year to year in order to keep the program fresh. However, it is always preferable to keep a few returning speakers on the agenda, since we are familiar with their outstanding capabilities.

Goal
3. Windows Of Opportunity
To seek out and respond to "windows of opportunity" that positively impact the criminal justice system.

Objective
1. Effective Training & Leadership Development
To provide effective training and leadership development skills to individuals operating prisons throughout the United States through the Warden's Peer Interaction Training.

Indicator
1. Program Evaluation
Informal program evaluation conducted at the completion of the training by the project coordinator and project manager based on prior knowledge of effective training and participant comments, ideas and suggestions.

Criterion
1. Satisfactory Informal Evaluation
Obtain a satisfactory informal evaluation at the program's completion according to the project coordinator and project manager.

Finding
1. Satisfactory Evaluation
The program was found to have a satisfactory evaluation by the project manager and project coordinator through informal observations and participant feedback.

Action
1.a. Additional Facilitator
The Warden's Peer Interaction training, "provides a forum for Wardens to network with peers, discuss current management and direction of prison operations and programs, identify and discuss critical issues facing prison management, and prepare strategies for handling critical correctional challenges". Because the program is in a seminar setting, providing effective facilitators for the program is essential.

Through the informal evaluation done by the project manager and project coordinator of the program, the need for an additional facilitator was apparent. During the 2009 - 2010 year, an additional facilitator will be brought into the Warden's program to ensure that the program runs more smoothly and to bring an added level of expertise and point of view into the training.

Action
1. Program Rescheduled
The Warden's Peer Interaction program achieved its objective, to "provide effective training and leadership development skills to individuals operating prisons throughout the United States". Proof of attainment of this goal was obtained by the informal observation of the project manager and project coordinator for the training. These individuals spent time in the classroom and with the participants, evaluating the program as it progressed by utilizing their own professional knowledge of previous effective trainings as well as by listening to participant ideas, complaints and concerns.

Further, the Warden's Peer Interaction program has the following goals: (1) to contribute to CMIT's recognition for excellence, (2) to provide leadership to the corrections field, (3) and to prove CMIT's willingness to recognize and address windows of opportunity in the field. In addition to the course's objective being met, the goals of this program have also been satisfied. The program continues to be invaluable, based on participant feedback, to the field because of its nature to allow idea-sharing, problem solving, and national networking among the Warden participants.

It continues to provide leadership skills and knowledge to the participants through the interaction in the program. Each facility comes to the training ready to present on a subject of their choosing. After, the group and a facilitator relate in a seminar setting. Here, best-practices, lessons learned, suggestions for improvement, etc. are discussed among the group.

Finally, CMIT addresses its windows of opportunity by offering such a program to Wardens of prisons from around the country, an opportunity unique to CMIT.

Because the program has successfully achieved its goals and objectives, it has been rescheduled for the 2009 - 2010 CMIT calendar.


Update to previous cycle's plan for continuous improvement

Plan for continuous improvement The Correctional Management Institute of Texas initially indicated three goals for the organization, to "be recognized for excellence", "provide leadership" opportunities, and address "windows of opportunity" within the criminal justice field. At the beginning of the 2008 year, three programs (objectives) were identified so that they could be evaluated based on these goals: Warden's Peer Interaction, Annual Jail Conference and Leadership for Support Staff.

All of these programs had evaluations based on participant feedback - two formally with participant evaluations, and one informally through recognition of improvement based on participant feedback in the class and to the project manager/coordinator. This direct participant evaluation is essential to maintain that the goals of CMIT are continuing to be met through each of its programs, and the actions show that each of these programs have, indeed, met the criterion set by CMIT at the beginning of the year.

In addition, each of these programs was evaluated informally by the project manager or coordinators, whose job it is to coordinate and oversee the trainings. Each of these individuals has managed numerous trainings in the past, and has an expertise in identifying areas of improvement throughout these programs. By including these informal evaluations as a standard of excellence, we see that the programs are not only found to be satisfactory by the participants, but by our experienced staff as well. In fact, there were some changes anticipated for next year based on these informal evaluations.

Overall, each of these programs were found to meet the respective goals set forth by CMIT. Although each will have improvements carried out into the next training year, each of the programs will continue to be a part of our 2009 - 2010 trainings offered.