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Department of Corrections

The Montana Department of Corrections staff enhances public safety, supports the victims of crime, promotes positive change in offender behavior, and reintegrates offenders into the community. The Department of Corrections does not have a specific mission statement for the Information Technology Bureau (ITB). ITB supports the Department’s mission and the goals and objectives of the Department programs by providing centralized support for all activities with an IT component including support, development, procurement, financial review, project management, and oversite.

Goals

Agency Goals and Objectives

State Strategic Plan Goal Reference: Goal 2: Optimization of shared services and support (Collaborate Smart) and Goal 1: Fiscal Responsibility (Spend Smart)

Objectives

  • Upgrade/replace secure facility control systems and enhance staff/offender safety
    State Strategic Plan Objective Reference: Optimization of shared services and support (Collaborate Smart) - Objective 1: Automate and Objective 3: Standardization
  • Establish Remote Supervision services for Community Corrections
    State Strategic Plan Objective Reference: Optimization of shared services and support (Collaborate Smart) - Objective 1: Automate
  • Upgrade Department radio system to replace end of life and broken radios using a leasing model
    State Strategic Plan Objective Reference: Fiscal Responsibility (Spend Smart) - Objective 1: Cost Effective.
  • Expand Department video Surveillance presence to comply with PREA audit recommendations and increase staff and offender safety.
    State Strategic Plan Objective Reference: Optimization of shared services and support (Collaborate Smart) - Objective 1: Automate and Objective 3: Standardization
  • Research and expand Distance learning capacities for educational needs of offenders in secure custody.
    State Strategic Plan Objective Reference: Unified Digital Government - Objective 1: Modernization

State Strategic Plan Goal Reference: Optimization of shared services and support (Collaborate Smart)

Unified Digital Government - Objective 4: G2G

Objectives

  • In conjunction with our OMIS governance committee, identify enhancements to strengthen data collection methods are appropriate for program evaluations by appropriate stake-holders.
    State Strategic Plan Objective Reference: Optimization of shared services and support (Collaborate Smart) - Objective 5: Agile Thinking
  • Make available reporting structures for interested parties/stakeholders so those parties have the data they need, when they need it.
    State Strategic Plan Objective Reference: Optimization of shared services and support (Collaborate Smart) - Objective 1: Automate

State Strategic Plan Goal Reference: Optimization of shared services and support (Collaborate Smart) - Objective 5: Agile Thinking

Optimization of shared services and support (Collaborate Smart) - Objective 3: Standardization

Objectives

  • All enhancement requests to the Department’s information systems (Offender Management Information System (OMIS) and Youth Management System (YMS)) will be managed using an appropriate project management methodology.
    State Strategic Plan Objective Reference: Optimization of shared services and support (Collaborate Smart) - Objective 5: Agile Thinking
  • Feature documentation will be produced and updated throughout the cycle and conduct development status sessions.
    State Strategic Plan Objective Reference: Unified Digital Government - Objective 1: Modernization

Information Technology Resources and Capabilities

Number of FTE: 1

Provides leadership, direction, and support for all agency IT activities. Represents the department on state IT councils and committees, MT Criminal Justice Information Sharing projects, and national committees relating to Corrections Technology.

Number of FTE: 9

Responsible for providing agency services in the areas of server management, desktop computer and laptop management, access and security control, the information technology procurement process, hardware and software inventory management, Information security, software installation and support, server and computer patching. Implementation of new IT services.

Number of FTE: 8

Responsible for providing agency services and support for the departments adult and youth information management systems. This includes development of new system functionality, support and updates of existing functionality, support of system application server integration, internal report development and distribution. There is one grant funded modified position

Number of FTE: 6

Responsible for responding to all information requests relating to offender data requested by agency staff, other state agencies, the legislature, federal government agencies, media, and citizens. Reviews OMIS and YMS for incomplete and/or inaccurate data and provides that information to the data owners for correction. Conducts statistical analysis as directed by the CIO and Department leadership team. Creates system user manuals and provides technical training to end users.

Number of FTE: 2

Responsible for management of IT security program, audit compliance, security and risk managment.

Number of FTE: 1

The CCB IT Analyst reports to the Crime Control Bureau Chief and is responsible for providing user support, training, project management, developing and maintaining bureau databases, application programs, Internet applications and interfaces.

Projects

Division Multiple
Project / Program Purpose and Objectives Security camera systems are utilized to assist in providing enhanced security and improved surveillance of high risk locations. Additionally, the department is required to comply with the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) and security camera systems are integral as a deterrent as well as an investigative tool. Historically, security cameras were expensive and have been installed by external security doors and gates and in areas where there were higher risks of incidents. The ability to monitor the cameras from remote locations was limited and access was generally only available to staff at the location the camera was installed. Multiple analog security cameras have been installed as standalone systems that record on Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) and in once case VHS tape. These systems are in various locations at MSP, MWP and PHS, they are not networked, integrated, or synchronized with the other systems. To meet operational needs older systems are upgraded or expanded whenever funding can be obtained. Department IT staff have worked with the State Information Technology Services Division, General Services Division, Montana State Prison, and Montana Correctional Enterprises to develop the requirements for updating the video surveillance system at the facility. This system operates on the state network, the servers that manage the cameras runs on an SITSD server located in the State of Montana Data Center (SMDC). The video is saved to an SITSD storage device located at MSP for short term storage and each night migrated to SITSD hosted storage located at the SMDC. The system designed by SITSD, GSD, and ITD integrates all the components that manage, distribute, view, and store video data. The initial camera installations have been very successful and live video is available to staff that need to have access at MSP, MWP and PHS as well as Investigators and the Director’s office in Helena. MSP/MCE, MWP and PHS have installed 539 surveillance cameras and have a requirement for 585 more cameras to replace the remaining legacy cameras and provide coverage in areas that currently have no cameras. There is currently no funding for the remainder of these cameras. The department is considering an EPP request and is also exploring the potential for grant funding. A final budget has not yet been developed. This narrative and project cost details will be updated when all information has been determined and is available. This is Goal 1, Objective 4 of our plan.
State Strategic Plan Goal/Objective Reference Unified Digital Government - Objective 1: Modernization. Optimization of shared services and support (Collaborate Smart) - Objective 1: Automate and Objective 3: Standardization
Estimated Start Estimated Delivery
Estimated Cost Comment
HB 10 Request Yes Funding Sources EPP: 1,956,098 - Comment:
Annual Costs Upon Completion 350,228 Comment in annual connection costs with SITSD for the Cameras in addition to the OTO asked for in Funding Source 1
Status of the project as of March 31, even numbered years. Indicate % completed and status of funds expended.

Division Multiple
Project / Program Purpose and Objectives Replacement Cycle for Department handheld and mobile radios. As the Department does not have funding to replace failing radios, the money requested is being asked to include in the base budget for financing them across 7 years. If approved, the replacement cycle will be completed across 7 years. This is Goal 1, Objective 3 of our plan.
State Strategic Plan Goal/Objective Reference Fiscal Responsibility (Spend Smart) - Objective 1: Cost Effective. Unified Digital Government - Objective 1: Modernization
Estimated Start Estimated Delivery
Estimated Cost Comment
HB 10 Request Yes Funding Sources EPP if not HB10: 362,142 - Comment: annually
Annual Costs Upon Completion 362,142 Comment
Status of the project as of March 31, even numbered years. Indicate % completed and status of funds expended.

Division Multiple
Project / Program Purpose and Objectives Enhance staff and offender safety through the use of body worn cameras. Interactions between staff and offenders would be documented to evaluate claims of excessive force and PREA incidents.
State Strategic Plan Goal/Objective Reference Unified Digital Government - Objective 1: Modernization;
Estimated Start Estimated Delivery
Estimated Cost Comment
HB 10 Request No Funding Sources EPP General Fund: 929,016 - Comment:
Annual Costs Upon Completion Comment
Status of the project as of March 31, even numbered years. Indicate % completed and status of funds expended.

Summary of Hardware

I have reviewed all of my agency's systems in Assurance CM and certify that it is accurate: Yes

Total Number of Appliances
Total Number of Physical Servers 2 1@ Montana Women's Prison and 1@ Riverside Correctional Facility) for video surveillance caching
Total Number of Virtualized Servers
Total Usable Storage Space GB
Device Type Quantity Estimated Replacement Value Comments
Desktops and laptops 942 841,216 (source Dell PC Quote) for 550 desktops, $218,400 (source Dell Laptop Quote) for 392 Laptops
Smartphones 295 30,797 (MAX). These devices vary, and a replacement phone will cost between $0.00 and $99.99 depending on the phone type.
Network Multi-function devices 82 These printers are leased utilizing the State Print and Mail leasing process. Some printers are on legacy leases and will be converted to the State Print and Mail leasing process when the leases expire.
Network Printers 41 35,250 (based on average replacement cost of the most common printers)
Desktop Printer 147 25,200 (avg. price $200 based upon review of most common models)
IP Surveillance Cameras 539 350,000 (source current avg. cost via state ATS contract)
Polycomm Video Conference systems 14 88,000 (source SITSD). These will be replaced with Zoom compatible equipment
Radios 1207 2,319,000 (source Motorola quote) for handheld, $1,119,000 (source Motorola quote) for Mobiles

Agency Contact Information

Agency Director / Administrator
Reginald D. Michael
406-444-4913
Reginald.Michael@mt.gov
5 S. Last Chance Gulch Helena, MT 59601
IT Contact (CIO / IT Manager)
Jon Straughn
406-444-1706
jstraughn@mt.gov
5 S. Last Chance Gulch Helena, MT 59601
Information Security Manager
Erin Stroop
406-444-0305
estroop@mt.gov
5 S. Last Chance Gulch Helena, MT 59601