Restrictive Housing Reform Implementation Assistance Program

Cooperative agreement to a USA IHE, for-profit, or nonprofit organization to assist correctional facilities in implementing reforms. Applicants are advised to complete required registrations well in advance of the deadline. Funding is intended to assist correctional agencies with reducing restrictive housing use.
The Restrictive Housing Reform Implementation Assistance Program’s goals are to (1) provide support and assistance to correctional agencies that are ready to implement reforms, (2) create resources based on national implementation efforts that will be made available to correctional agencies and facilities engaged in or considering restrictive housing reform, and (3) develop practices for correctional agencies to use in collecting and analyzing data to measure the impact of reforms.The objectives of the Restrictive Housing Reform Implementation Assistance Program are to:Assist correctional agencies in implementing meaningful policies, trainings, and practices that will lead to a reduction in the use of restrictive housing while maintaining institutional safety. This could include, but is not limited to, assistance in implementing a new disciplinary matrix, piloting focused deterrence and violence-reduction programming in the general incarcerated population, or creating alternative housing units for vulnerable populations. There must be a specific emphasis on ensuring staff have the training and tools they need to support and implement restrictive housing reforms.Assist correctional agencies and facilities with coming into and/or maintaining compliance with the National Prison Rape Elimination Act Standards that limit the placement in restrictive housing of incarcerated people who are at high risk for sexual victimization or have been alleged to have been sexually abused. (See 28 C.F.R. Parts 115.14, 115.43, 115.68.)Increase staff capacity to support and implement reforms.Identify, document, and publicize innovative implementation practices in order to inform similar efforts across the country.Develop tools and resources based on nationwide implementation efforts that can be used by correctional agencies that are working to reduce and eventually eliminate the use of restrictive housing.Promote correctional agencies’ collection and analysis of data on restrictive housing to measure the impact of reforms.For a list of required deliverables, seehttps://bja.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh186/files/media/document/O-BJA-2021-144001.pdf#page=6.