Report 2010-124 Recommendation 5 Responses

Report 2010-124: Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation: The Benefits of Its Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions Program Are Uncertain (Release Date: September 2011)

Recommendation #5 To: Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of

Once Corrections resumes its use of COMPAS core and reentry assessments, it should develop practices or procedures to periodically compare the demand for certain rehabilitative programs, as suggested by a COMPAS core assessment, to the existing capacity to treat such needs.

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From October 2016

The Division of Rehabilitative Programs utilizes the overall criminogenic need and risk to reoffend (COMPAS and CSRA scores) of an inmate in placement of programs. While COMPAS alone is not used, COMPAS scores related to those with a high to moderate need, combined with CSRA scores for a high to moderate risk to recidivate, are what drives placement of programming in the division. To help facilitate programming placement, the Division is currently working on SOMS data-driven, web-based tools that expediently allow the aforementioned combination assessments to be displayed by CDCR institutions/facilities to appropriately and accurately facilitate placement of programming slots when comparing to the Division's target population. These tools and assessments, both at the local facility, and at the Executive level, provide information on contract/capacity placement and target needs by location.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Fully Implemented

As evidenced by the Corrections' Blueprint, and subsequent updates to the Blueprint, Corrections is tracking the available program placements and the demand for these services. Based on these assessments, it has set goals to increase capacity in certain programming areas.

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From September 2015

In April 2013, statewide T4T training was provided to designated institutional staff who provide periodic training at the institutional/unit level. In-prison programming capacity decisions are based on the Master Offender List, a comprehensive list of currently incarcerated offenders. This list includes COMPAS and TABE scores, as well as current assignment and housing information. Due to both the size of this file, and the sensitive nature of its content, this document cannot be offered as proof of practice. There are programs in prison, and the Day Reporting Center community programs which have contracts utilizing this methodology. The Blueprint indicates annual capacity figures which correlate to COMPAS needs scores. For example, CIW shows a planned capacity of 288 for the Substance Abuse program, and a review of offender COMPAS scores show 266 offenders with a substance abuse need who are eligible for the Substance Abuse program. ASP also shows 288 for planned capacity and 285 eligible offenders.

When renewing the Reentry Hub contracts, the Department reviews the Master Offender List to determine if any modifications in the annual capacity for a specific modality, is warranted. The Master Offender List contains multiple case factors which include, but are not limited to, COMPAS and TABE scores, as well as current assignment and housing information.

In addition, CDCR utilizes the above referenced list to help guide transfers in order to facilitate offender programming. CDCR also uses documents like the "Target Population versus Program Capacity FY 15-16 16-17 and 17-18" to determine transfer of offenders and capacities of programs.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Partially Implemented

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From October 2014

The current contract capacities for Cognitive Behavioral Treatment were developed using the criminogenic needs that were identified through the COMPAS assessment results.

On March 20, 2013, and September 20, 2013, CDCR revised the COMPAS exclusionary criteria to include more inmates in the assessment process. The Division of Rehabilitative Programs reviews the COMPAS needs results to determine adjustment in the statewide capacities for Substance Abuse Treatment, Criminal Thinking, Anger Management, and Family Relationships. CDCR has programs in all institutional levels and will be able to adjust program capacities based on identified needs by specific levels of inmates.

CDCR also uses COMPAS assessment results in the development of other treatment programs beyond the Blueprint requirements. The Blueprint indicates annual capacity figures which correlate to COMPAS needs scores.

In-prison programming capacity decisions are currently based on the Master Offender List, a comprehensive list of currently incarcerated offenders. This list includes COMPAS and TABE scores, as well as current assignment and housing information. Due to both the size of this file, and the sensitive nature of its content, this document cannot be offered as proof of practice. There are currently programs in prison, and the Day Reporting Center community programs which have contracts utilizing this methodology.

When renewing the Reentry Hub contracts, the Department reviews the Master Offender List to determine if any modifications in the annual capacity for a specific modality, is warranted. The Master Offender List contains multiple case factors which include, but are not limited to, COMPAS and TABE scores, as well as current assignment and housing information.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Not Fully Implemented

Corrections' response claims that its current capacities for treating inmates were developed using COMPAS results. However, Corrections provided no evidence that this is the case.

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From October 2013

The current contract capacities for Cognitive Behavioral Treatment were developed using the criminogenic needs that were identified through the COMPAS assessment results.

On March 20, 2013, and September 20, 2013, CDCR revised the COMPAS exclusionary criteria to include more inmates in the assessment process. The Division of Rehabilitative Programs will review the COMPAS needs results to determine adjustment in the statewide capacities for Substance Abuse Treatment, Criminal Thinking, Anger Management and Family Relationships when developing the new contracts which will begin on July 1, 2015. CDCR has programs in all institutional levels and will be able to adjust program capacities based on identified needs by specific levels of inmates.

CDCR shall also use COMPAS assessment results in the development of other treatment programs beyond the Blueprint requirements.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Not Fully Implemented

Corrections' response claims that its current capacities for treating inmates were developed using COMPAS results. However, Corrections provided no evidence that this is the case. Further, the rest of Corrections' response discussed things it plans to do in the future, as opposed to what it has already done to address our recommendation.

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From November 2012

COMPAS data was utilized in developing the CDCR Blueprint, which was approved by the Legislature in May 2012, to determine program capacity and location based on criminogenic need profiles, as well as other factors. The Department's goal is to provide programming to 70 percent of the target population prior to release. CDCR does not have resources to plan program space for all inmates with a need at any given period of time, but will ensure sufficient capacity is available within its resources based upon correlating inmate needs and their scheduled release. Annual assessments will be done to reevaluate during normal budget development processes.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Not Fully Implemented

All Recommendations in 2010-124

Agency responses received after June 2013 are posted verbatim.