The Case Management process prepares an offender for the best quality of life while serving his/her sentence along with preparing offenders for life after incarceration. This process utilizes evidence-based principles combining assessments with a multi-disciplinary approach to reduce criminal thinking and behaviors. This approach provides offenders with the necessary skills to succeed in serving their sentence and in their return to the community.
The Department recognizes the need for a Case Management approach to help prepare the offender for a successful future as a contributing member of the community. Case Management coordinates the delivery of treatment services, including the management of evidence-based programs, courses, and activities, which provides for a continuum of supervision and care for agencies serving the offender. Case Management aims to reduce recidivism through the formulation and implementation of an individualized Case Plan for each offender. Case Management in a correctional environment is utilized for the following purposes:
- To provide effective evidence-based programs, courses, activities, and services to address the criminogenic needs of each offender;
- To increase the offender’s potential for successful reintegration into society; and,
- To provide for the safety and security of the community.
In order to implement a Case Management process, the Department utilizes the Unit Team concept. Assessment and classification of offenders facilitates short-term and long-range planning and program development in the correctional system as a whole and at each facility, parole district, or program location.
Each offender is assigned a case management staff who operates as a liaison between the offender and other departments within the system. Case management staff focus on building a professional rapport with offenders to facilitate goal planning while serving their sentence.
The Department’s efforts toward reducing recidivism are formulated through Evidence-Based Practices (EBP), and those efforts are set forth in this policy and administrative procedure. Nationally, EBP methods are showing success in Re-Entry through all aspects of the Criminal Justice System, not only in correctional facilities.
Indiana Risk Assessment System (IRAS)
The Indiana Risk Assessment System (IRAS) is a criminogenic risk and needs assessment tool used statewide by the Indiana Department of Correction, the courts, parole, probation, and community corrections.
An IRAS assessment is completed upon an individual’s entrance and exit into the criminal justice system. The IRAS is scored into a statewide extranet (online database) called the Indiana Court Information Technology Extranet (INCITE).
The IRAS tools utilized by the Indiana Department of Correction are:
- Prison Intake Tool
- Supplemental Re-Entry Tool
The results of the assessment assist case management staff in determining the appropriate level of services is needed for each offender. This information is used to create a case plan.
Case Plan
The case plan identifies the specific criminogenic risk level for each modality listed on the IRAS. As an offender moves throughout IDOC, interventions are created and facilitated to assist the offender in positive behavioral changes and skill building. The case plan is shared between unit team staff and the offender to provide a road map through incarceration and towards successful Re-Entry.
Policy
The Development and Delivery of Programs, Pre-Release and Case Management