Grants and cooperative agreements; availability, etc.: Staff sexual misconduct; training video development,

[Federal Register: June 25, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 122)]

[Notices]

[Page 34269-34270]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr25jn99-84]

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

National Institute of Corrections

Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement

Summary: The Department of Justice (DOJ), National Institute of Corrections (NIC), announces the availability of funds in FY 1999 for a cooperative agreement to fund the ``Development of a Training Video on Staff Sexual Misconduct.''

The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) invites application for a cooperative agreement to develop a training video and companion facilitator's manual on the prevention of staff sexual misconduct with inmates. To expand the Institute's capacity to assist correctional agencies in working with line staff, the award recipient will develop a video to be used by agency training personnel. The video will emphasize state and federal laws that address sexual misconduct, case histories demonstrating the dynamics of staff sexual misconduct, and preventative remedies for avoiding misconduct. The companion manual will guide trainers in delivering the training through interactive discussion with trainees on key points in the video and applying the training to the state or local setting.

The award recipient will become familiar with the work currently being done at NIC on issues related to staff sexual misconduct and will develop strategies for capturing this information in video and training formats. The recipient will refine training outcomes for the video and training guide in collaboration with NIC.

This will be collaborative venture with the NIC Prisons Division. A total of $80,000 is reserved for the project which will support one cooperative agreement for a 12 month period. The recipient of the award will be selected through a competitive solicitation process. Andie Moss is the designated NIC project manager.

Background

The fine balance in the relationships of staff and inmates is critical to the well being of both staff and offenders. Even so, the opportunities have been limited for effective line staff training that addresses the difficult situations of

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an emotional or sexual nature that can occur between staff and inmates. Since the mid nineties NIC has provided leadership in addressing the issues of staff sexual misconduct through training seminars and on-site technical assistance and local departments of corrections. The Institute has developed training materials for state prison systems that address policy and practice, the importance of state law, the investigative process, staff training and responses to the media. Through this work, NIC recognizes the need for training tools/teaching aids that increase the capacity of agency trainers of deliver effective, consistent training to multiple sites with large number of staff.

Purpose

This project is intended to provide agency trainers with:

‹bullet› A training video with a strong emphasis on staff's understanding of their role in the prevention of staff sexual misconduct.

‹bullet› A companion trainer's guide to address the major points in the video with opportunities for group discussion.

Project Content

The proposal should demonstrate and understanding of key content areas such as: definitions of staff sexual misconduct, and overview of federal and state laws that impact staff, case examples and remedies for prevention of staff sexual misconduct, and the impact of the professional and emotional damage created in sexual misconduct cases. It should demonstrate an understanding of the imblance of power between staff and inmates. While it has been the experience of the Institute that a video presentation of 12-15 minutes allows for flexibility in the training design and delivery in correctional setting, proposers are encouraged to offer their own recommendations regarding length of video and format.

1. Required Activity

   ‹bullet› Initial meeting with NIC staff for an overview of the Institute's training and technical assistance activities that are relvant to the development of the video and training guide.

2. Other Possible Activities

   ‹bullet› Interviews with key personnel in state and local jurisdictions with experience in the management of or investigative response to sexual misconduct; i.e., commissioners, investigators, and wardens.

   ‹bullet› Interviews with line staff and institutional supervisors.

   ‹bullet› Interviews with former inmates and/or staff involved in incidents of staff sexual misconduct.

   ‹bullet› Interviews with persons with particular interest in addressing staff sexual conduct; i.e., family members, psychologists, legislators, and legal community.

   ‹bullet› Examination of the current federal and state law that addresses staff sexual misconduct.

   ‹bullet› Development and presentation of case examples involving staff misconduct that lead to or conclude with inappropriate involvement with inmates.

   ‹bullet› Identification of ``red flags'' that can alert a staff member to the danger signs for themselves or for co-workers.

   Authority: Public Law 93-415.

   Funds Available

   The award will be limited to a maximum total of $80,000 (direct and indirect costs) and project activity must be completed within 8 months of the date of the award. Funds may only be used for the activities that are linked to the desired outcomes of the project. This project will be a collaborative venture with the NIC Prisons Division.

   All products from this funding effort will be in the public domain and available to interested agencies through the National Institute of Corrections.

   Deadline for Receipt of Applications: Applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 3, 1999. They should be addressed to: National Institute of Corrections, 320 First Street, NW, Room 5007, Washington, D.C. 20534, Attention: Director. Hand delivered applications can be brought to 500 First Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20534. The front desk will call Bobbi Tinsley at (202) 307-3106, extension 0 for pickup.

   Addresses and Further Information: Requests for the application kit, which consists of a copy of this announcement and copies of the forms and instructions for filing, should be directed to Judy Evens, Cooperative Agreement Control Office, National Institute of Corrections, 320 First Street, N.W., Room 5007, Washington, D.C. 20534 or by calling (800) 995-6423, extension 159 or (202) 307-3106, extension 159. She can also be contacted by E-mail via jevens@bop.gov. All technical and/or programmatic questions concerning this announcement should be directed to Andie Moss at the above address or by calling (800) 995-6423, or (202) 307-3106, extension 140, or by E- mail via amoss@bob.gov. Application forms may also be obtained through the NIC website: http://www.nicic.org.

   Eligible Applicants

   An eligible applicant is any private or non-profit organization, institution, individual, or team with expertise in production of training videos and related training materials.

   Review Considerations

   Applications received under this announcement will be subjected to an NIC three to five member Peer Review Process.

   Number of Awards: One (1).

   NIC application Number: 99P12 This number should appear as a reference line in the over letter and also in box 11 of Standard Form 424.

   The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is: 16.601. Morris L. Thigpen, Director, National Institute of Corrections.

   [FR Doc. 99-16175Filed6-24-99; 8:45 am]

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