LISTENING TO YOUR EMPLOYEES
The Center for Innovative Public Policies will produce a “toolkit” to assist the country’s 2,800 jails to:
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  • Assess/evaluate their current CTO/FTO program by identifying the critical components of the program;
  • Identify resources to develop and/or update their program; and
  • Examine challenges/barriers to developing/revising programs, along with strategies to overcome these.
​his “toolkit” will be researched based, using input from the field to guide inquiries, and provide suggestions/solutions.
 
The recruitment, retention and development of jail personnel continues to be a critical area of need.  A jail cannot hope to reach and sustain professionalism without qualified and trained employees.  A jail’s initial training of new employees sets the trajectory of success not only for these officers, but demonstrates to current staff the agency’s true commitment to their future, and focuses on the safety of jail operations. 
 
CIPP has been unable to identify a single source or documents/guidance for jails/corrections to develop, implement, evaluate, and operate a CTO/FTO program.  Most jail programs are based on law enforcement models, for example, the San Jose program, rather than focusing on the unique environment and needs of jails.  This “toolkit” will be designed to address this significant gap.  The “toolkit” will not provide or advocate a single model for a credible CTO/FTO program, but rather provide decision points for jails to develop/revise the programs meeting the needs and resources for their jail. 

​The elements of this inquiry will include, and the contents of the toolkit will rely on:

  1. A literature review, and an annotated bibliography identifying books, articles, policies, procedures, and web-based resources regarding jail CTO/FTO programs.
  2. Analysis of the results of a national survey assessing the current status of jail programs, elements of these programs, challenges and barriers.
  3. Review the tangible costs of having, or not having, a CTO/FTO program.
  4. Identification of the specific key components of jail-based CTO/FTO programs.
  5. Presentation of decision points for jails to consider as programs are developed, assessed and/or refined.
  6. Involvement of stakeholder, funders, and citizen.
  7. Next steps for jails to develop or refine programs.
The second draft of the annotated bibliography is available by clicking here.
A web-based survey of jails was conducted during July 2019.  To see the draft summary results click here.
The Jail Correctional Training Officer (CTO)/Field Training Officer (FTO) Program
Improving Employee Retention and Outcomes for Jail Operations
Update as of September 6, 2019
The Jail Correctional Training Officer (CTO)/Field Training Officer (FTO) Program
Improving Employee Retention and Outcomes for Jail Operations
Update as of September 6, 2019