What are the best practices used by state correctional agencies for supervising and providing services to incarcerated individuals who are proficient in languages other than English and have Limited English Proficiency?

Opportunity closes: Open until filled
Department or Agency: NC Department of Adult Correction

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Topics
Literature ReviewLanguage AccessLimited English ProficiencyStaff Training and Professional Development Curricula

Project Overview

Summary

The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC) and the NC Office of Strategic Partnerships (OSP) are hosting a research partnership interest meeting on Wednesday, October 16, 1:00 – 2:15 PM to discuss this project. Please email partnerships@osbm.nc.gov to request an invitation to this virtual meeting.

The number of North Carolina residents who primarily speak languages other than English (LOTE) is increasing. Between 1990 and 2024, the State Demographer of North Carolina estimated the population of North Carolinians who were born outside of the U.S. increased from an estimated 115,000 to 868,000. The number of people who speak other languages in the household, regardless of nationality, has also grown. NCDAC is responsible for more than 30,000 people in its custody daily. This requires the agency to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with this diverse population of incarcerated people.

This is a multi-faceted research partnership opportunity. NCDAC seeks to answer the following research questions through this opportunity:

  1. What are the best practices used by state correctional agencies for supervising and providing services to incarcerated individuals who are proficient in LOTE and have Limited English Proficiency (LEP)?

    • What are best practices for implementing Language Access (LA) that have emerged in states who have had Language Access Plans (LAPs) in place for at least five years?
    • What are best practices for implementing and maintaining LA programs and policies?
    • What are other states’ policies related to LA in state correctional agencies?
  2. What training programs might the NCDAC develop or implement to better equip staff with the necessary skills for interacting with and serving incarcerated individuals with LEP?

    • What are evidence-based methods for such training based on other state correctional institutions’ practices?
    • How can NCDAC integrate ongoing professional development in LA into its staff training programs?
  3. What are the short-term and long-term benefits and potential drawbacks of compensating multilingual employees for their language-related work outside of their normal duties? How might this affect employee morale and retention? (The agency is particularly interested in LA practices and programs in Texas, Hawaii, Florida, and California and the extent to which these findings are applicable to NCDAC).

NCDAC defines best practices related to LA in correctional settings as the most effective and evidence-based methods for achieving improved safety and rehabilitation. These practices will be grounded in research, aligned with legal and ethical standards, and practical for the agency's specific context. They will also emphasize continuous improvement and include comprehensive training for staff, ensuring they can effectively implement and maintain these practices. NCDAC’s Language Access Plan defines LA as, “the process of ensuring that individuals who speak LOTE or are LEP have access to important documents and services in a language they can understand.” NCDAC anticipates publishing and making its LA Plan public on October 29.

Anticipated deliverables

NCDAC’s expected deliverable for this project is a final report that would include but not be limited to the following elements:

  • Existing evidence-based LA practices and recommendations that are relevant to NCDAC.
  • Existing LA policies, practices, and training programs in other states.
  • Best practices for implementing LA plans, practices, and programs.
  • Recruitment practices for potential multilingual NCDAC staff.
  • Best practices for developing and implementing LA training.

Planned use of results

NCDAC plans to use the results from this project to improve and align its current LA services and staff training efforts. Ultimately, NCDAC seeks to prepare staff to effectively interact with incarcerated individuals and their families who are LEP. NCDAC plans to provide training to Correction Officers, Probation Officers, and other staff on best practices for interactions with individuals with LEP to ensure transparency in communication and reduce language barriers. This project aims to provide all incarcerated individuals and their families with meaningful access to services, programs, and activities that will facilitate their successful reentry into society.

Funding

NCDAC has staff who can provide support to research partner(s). NCDAC and research partner(s) will work together to determine the project’s costs. If needed, NCDAC is supportive of working with the research partner(s) to pursue external funding.

Data

  • NCDAC Language Access Plan
  • LA policies, plans, and other documents as available from correction agencies outside of North Carolina.
  • LA policies, plans, and other documents from other institutional settings that are similar to NCDAC.
  • NCDAC staff are available to discuss NCDAC’s current and planned LA services and training.

This project is open. Interested in collaborating?

Project point of contact

Tracy Springer

NC Department of Adult Correction

tracy.springer@dac.nc.gov


Application details

Expertise needed

  • Conducting literature reviews.
  • Some understanding of the needs of individuals whose primary language is a language other than English.
  • Some understanding of institutional settings and program offerings in such settings, including the approach to information confidentiality.
  • Multilingual (desired but not required).

Key dates

  • Project posted on 9/20/2024
  • Researcher project descriptions due 10/30/2024
  • Anticipate work on this project beginning in November 2024 and completed by February 2025.

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