In the traditionally overcrowded and under-staffed environment of the Rhode
Island Department of Corrections, organizational and management problems
have plagued the administration of the Department of Corrections in the
past and has affected productivity and efficiency. Since the mid-1980's,
our state's inmate population has doubled due to national trends to issue
more punitive sentences. Likewise, the number of DOC employees has also
doubled. As late as 1987, technology did not abound at the Rhode Island
Department of Corrections.
It was not inconceivable for a caller inquiring on information regarding
the present location or status of an inmate to make a number of time-consuming
phone calls to get that information. This information was fragmented, de-centralized
and inaccurate. Stand-alone, mismatched equipment housing poorly designed
applications was depended upon for budget and management purposes, as well
as for inmate educational classes.
Technological streamlining of operations at the Rhode Island Department
of Corrections would most definitely increase productivity and efficiency.
Many other attempts in the past had been made to accomplish this, however,
it was only the second half of the 1988 calendar year that a concerted
effort was made to establish an MIS Unit. Once this unit was established,
strengths and weaknesses of various components with the Department of Corrections
were analyzed.
While streamlining its operations, the Department of Corrections sought
to answer a number of important questions: How could it better handle thousands
of individual transactions effecting users, programs, criminal history,
sentences, detainers, inmate banking, inmate stores, supplies and a host
of other critical functions? How could it improve productivity (control
administrative overtime) and increase accountability? One objective was
to provide accurate information to corrections professionals who needed
the above examples to better perform their jobs. To achieve this end, the
Department began to develop a detailed list of informational needs and
adopted a master plan that lead to the building of an on-line, fully integrated
Corrections Management Information System.
In January of 1991, under the direction of a new leader, the Department
of Corrections implemented a major reorganization. The reorganization was
incorporated into Rhode Island General Law 91-193. The DOC also plays an
integral role among other criminal justice agencies as well as its colleagues
in other state agencies.
Directed toward building technological capabilities to support Rhode Island's
pioneering program of intermediate punishments, we are now an integral
part of this project. The tremendous strides we have achieved on a very
"fast-track" pace are primarily due to the exemplary work of
each and every member of the MIS Unit.
The MIS Unit is part of the essential circuitry of the DOC. The purpose
of the technical trust is to manage information efficiently and maximize
use of critical resources.
The amount and level of computerization here at the Rhode Island Department
of Corrections has increased dramatically over the last few years. Consistent
with the national trend, we are entering a time of expanded need with fewer
staff to support and develop the computer environment envisioned for the
department. This expansion includes a complete rewiring of voice and data
communications, moving all DOC computer uses onto a new department wide
computer platform, conversion of obsolete WANG applications to ORACLE,
additional access to RILETS and the Internet, IMAGING, and a variety of
other computer related tasks.
Proposed Projects The following list identifies projects that MIS will be working
on in the next year:
Industrial Days
Job History Module
INFACTS Enhancements
Monitor Probation & Parole Project
Install Oracle Database Manager
Oracle Training for MIS Staff
Convert Q&A Systems to Oracle
Monitor Howard Complex Rewiring Project
Administration of Local Area Network and WANG vs. Mini-Computer
Continued Maintenance of Hundreds of Personal Computers and Related
Equipment
Purchase 40 Used Personal Computers from DCYF and Install at DOC
Upgrade Existing DOC Computers to Allow Windows 3.1.1 and Windows
95 to be Used
Windows Training
Word Perfect for Windows Training
Justice-Link Activity
Installation of RILETS Terminals
Expand Computer Room at Intake Center
Central Distribution Center Access to LAN
Community Confinement, Training, Probation and Parole, Computer Training
Room Access to LAN from Pinel Building
