Technical Assistance Opportunities around Contraband Cell Phone Interdiction: A Bureau of Justice Assistance-Funded Initiative
Description:
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) has launched an initiative to support correctional agencies, including jails, in combating contraband cell phones. This involves the development and dissemination of resources around contraband cell phones, as well as the provision of technical assistance to correctional agencies around contraband interdiction systems and practices. During this webinar, BJA, the Urban Institute, CNA, and their partners will discuss the state of the contraband cell phone problem in the U.S. and the interdiction strategies agencies are employing. The presenters will also describe the technical assistance opportunities available to correctional agencies and how they can request no-cost support in the area of contraband cell phone interdiction.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe cellphone-related challenges and issues facing correctional agencies today
- Learn about various interdiction technologies and strategies in use by correctional agencies
- Identify where to seek resources on the interdiction of contraband cellphones
- Describe the technical assistance opportunities available through the BJA-funded initiative
- Understand how to request no-cost training and technical assistance from the Urban Institute and its partners
Presenters:
- KiDeuk Kim is a senior fellow in the Justice Policy Center at the Urban Institute, where he leads multidisciplinary research teams to examine issues related to criminal justice interventions and policies. He has extensive research experience and national expertise in actuarial decisionmaking in criminal justice, criminal case processing, and policy evaluations. His work has been sponsored by several branches of the US Department of Justice, state and local governments, academic and scientific institutions, and private-sector entities. He was a visiting fellow at the US Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics from 2015 to 2018. Before joining Urban, Kim was a senior researcher for the State of New York, providing strategic planning and research oversight for numerous task forces on criminal justice issues. His current research focuses on promoting data-driven decisionmaking in the criminal justice system and translating empirical research into policy recommendations. His research has appeared in prominent academic journals and has been cited in elite media outlets.
- Bryce Peterson is an expert in corrections and policing. He serves as a research scientist in CNA's Center for Justice Research and Innovation. Peterson's recent research has focused on video surveillance, body-worn cameras, correctional safety and contraband, and children and families of justice-involved parents. His work includes rigorous evaluations, policy analyses, and technical assistance projects. Prior to joining CNA, Dr. Peterson was a principal research associate with the Urban Institute's Justice Policy Center, where he developed and led a portfolio of work sponsored by several federal and local government agencies and private foundations. He received both a Ph.D. and an M.A. in criminal justice from John Jay College/The Graduate Center of the City University of New York and a B.S. in criminal justice from California State University, Long Beach
- John Shaffer is an independent consultant and nationally recognized expert on corrections technology. He is currently the Institutional Corrections Program Manager for the Criminal Justice Technology Evaluation Consortium and has authored and co-authored numerous publications under NIJ/BJA grant-funded initiatives, including: Mitigating Contraband Via the Mail; Countering Threats to Correctional Institution Security; Test and Evaluation of Hand-Held Cell Phone Detection Devices; Fostering Innovation in Community and Institutional Corrections – Identifying High-Priority Technology and Other Needs for the U.S. Corrections Sector; and Cell Phone Forensics in a Correctional Setting. Dr. Shaffer retired from his position as Executive Deputy Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections after a 31-year career. He also served as a Counselor, Human Resource Analyst, Business Manager, Deputy Superintendent, and Deputy Secretary for Administration. He was the interim Warden at the Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh, PA for nearly a year in 1996. He also served for many years on the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Committee - Northeast Regional Advisory Committee. He was an active member of the NIJ Sensors, Surveillance and Biometrics Technology Work Group, the American Correctional Association, and the PA Prison Wardens Association. Dr. Shaffer holds a B.A. in Sociology from Westminster College, a Master of Public Administration and a Ph.D. in Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh.
- Jessa Wilcox is a Senior Policy Advisor at the Bureau of Justice Assistance where she works on the Corrections, Reentry, and Justice Reform Team. Jessa’s portfolio includes working on BJA’s Contraband Cellphone Interdiction program, Swift, Certain, and Fair grant program, Prison Rape Elimination Act implementation program, and Restrictive Housing Reform implementation program. Previously, Jessa was a Senior Program Associate at the Vera Institute of Justice where she provided technical assistance to state and local corrections agencies who were working to reduce their use of restrictive housing. Prior to joining Vera, Jessa was an attorney at the Legal Aid Society in New York City where her practice focused on improving the conditions of confinement for youth in custody. Jessa holds a JD cum laude from Northwestern University School of Law.
