Since its beginnings in the early 1970s, the National Sheriffs’ Institute (NSI) has evolved from a single leadership course for sheriffs to a comprehensive sheriff education program. In recent years, training on jail administration was introduced, and now a communications course is underway. The Major County Sheriffs Association has also asked the National Institute of Corrections to create a professional network for NSI alumni that provides ongoing training. With so many changes afoot, NIC sought the participation of alumni, association representatives, and other stakeholders in a day-and-a-half strategic plan listening session.

Session attendees were asked fifteen questions related to seven topic areas regarding the NSI. For each topic area, attendees were divided into small groups of three to four for discussion. The small groups captured and documented their responses, and once complete, each small group presented its findings to the full workgroup for additional discussion and refinement of ideas and concepts. The following goals were derived:

• Provide the nation’s sheriffs with training and networking opportunities that advance the office of the sheriff.
• Recruit, develop, and support outstanding faculty who will strengthen the NSI’s pursuit of excellence through their teaching and mentorship.
• Establish a stable infrastructure to support the mission of the NSI.

The priorities identified throughout the listening session are the foundation of the goals, objectives, and strategies outlined in a strategic plan.

During the American Correctional Association Winter 2024 Conference in National Harbor, MD, the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) hosted an in-depth workshop titled The Essential Elements of an Effective Pretrial System and Agency: A Framework for Pretrial Justice. The presentation began with a definition for bail and then highlighted laws, standards, evidence-based practices, and organizational theory as the four essential elements of effective pretrial. Throughout the presentation, discussion focused on how to use pretrial effectively to promote court appearance and public safety by using the least restrictive approaches to applying conditions, interventions, and treatment. 

Systems throughout the country are beginning to make improvements to local pretrial based on available data and resources from organizations like NIC. However, the field remains new. The presenters shared that:

1. The body of knowledge about evidence-based and best pretrial supervision practices is still developing.
2. Levels of supervision appear to influence outcomes, but individual conditions appear not to influence outcomes.
3. Outcome assessment and outcome and performance measurement data suggest that low to moderate supervision levels are appropriate for most defendants.

How pretrial systems and agencies define success is crucial. The presentation ended with examples of outcome and performance measures that pretrial agencies have begun to adopt as markers of more effective pretrial practice. Among them were suggestions for measuring rates of success, safety, release, and appearance in more meaningful ways.

Staff and leaders of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services received specialized security audit training from the National Institute of Corrections. To receive this training, participating agencies must have 3-person teams representing agency leaders with the capacity to make high-level decisions within their organization. Coursework involves the evaluation of agency working conditions, policies, practices, and performance and the assessment of the risk to security that an agency continues to have following the review.