Restricted Housing

In June, Vera facilitated conference calls with UDC’s data research lead Julie Christianson to discuss the department’s ongoing development of performance metrics and reports, specifically the recently updated data for fourth quarter of 2017.

In May there were ongoing emails and phone calls with Jeremy Sharp (UDC's site lead) in preparation for two upcoming implementation meetings (Part I on May 11th and Part II on May 23rd) with the UDC implementation team via video conference. The meetings were in support of UDCs work-plan and were designed to help the implementation team identify key staff to lead specific reform goals, to assess the feasibility of implementing each of our recommendations, and to prioritize implementation tasks and activities accordingly.

In April, Utah's Executive Director Rollin Cook announced he was stepping down after five years in the position. As a result, there were multiple phone calls and email exchanges with Director Cook and UDC leadership to gauge and ensure the department's commitment to continue working with Vera on the implementation of our recommendations for reform.

In June, Vera held hone calls with CO Duran to prepare for a conference call the following week and also to provide strategic support for reform efforts. There was a conference call with NDOC Deputy Director Harold Wickham and DD Kim Thomas regarding the current updates on implementation of reforms, and strategizing for next steps. Vera learned about plans for convening wardens and leadership together to work on reforms to the Behavior Modification Units at various facilities.

In May, there were ongoing emails between Vera and NDOC offering TA and support in their efforts to finalize their implementation plan. There was a phone meeting to discuss implementation goal priority areas, provide support to NDOC and set agenda for upcoming implementation meeting. Next there was a logistics review phone call with NDOC in preparation for implementation meeting in Nevada. NDOC delivered an implementation plan to Vera. Lastly, Vera conducted a site visit (5/23-5/25) to NDOC for implementation planning with the Director and leadership.

In April, Vera revised and emailed updated performance measures to NDOC in anticipation of an upcoming call with NDOC research staff. Vera held a phone conversation with AW Garcia from Florence McClure Women's Correctional Center where Vera learned about potential reforms for that facility. Vera also emailed NDOC regarding implementation needs and planning. Vera is working to support NDOC's implementation efforts through addressing next steps and requirements of implementation process.

In March, Vera held a conference call with NDOC staff laying the groundwork for implementation planning and identification of priority areas. Vera emailed NDOC with implementation planning tools, suggested priority areas, and outline for next steps and implementation. Later Vera emailed NDOC specific outcome measures and data slides in preparation for an upcoming conference call with research staff. Lastly Vera held a conference call with NDOC research staff for initial meeting on development of outcome measures for tracking.

In February, Vera emailed NDOC to outline rolling out thr implementation processes and getting a regular scheduled meeting in place between NDOC and Vera. There were numerous rounds of follow up for these efforts that included emails and phone calls. Regularly scheduled meetings were set for early March.

In January, Vera provided via email a written draft of Vera's findings and recommendations to NDOC; Vera provided via email a copy of the findings and recommendations powerpoint presentation in anticipation of the following day's meetng. Later Vera traveled to Nevada for a meeting with the NDOC Director and other key leaders to present the findings and recommendations, along with facilitating Q&A, discussion, and feedback. The team is now working on finalizing the findings and recommendations in the final report.

In November, Vera coordinated emails regarding a future visit to present findings and recommendations and coordinated emails outlining Vera's TA process and needs for presenting findings and recommendations. Additionally, there was an email discussion regarding the potential move of 200 men out of state from Nevada to Arizona into a private prison facility. Vera had a call with CO Duran to check in on reforms in NV and coordination with Vera and before the end of the month, there was confirmation for January visit for findings and recommendations.