The indiana department of correction (IDOC), the state of indianas executive branch agency charged with accepting committed persons for custody, care, training, and reintegration, is seeking to…

The Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) has been awarded a $2,000,000 grant under the Body Worn Camera Policy and Implementation program (CFDA 16.835) from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance. The goal of this 3-year Project Grant, which commenced on October 1, 2023, is to enable IDOC to establish a comprehensive body-worn camera (BWC) program for all of its 21 correctional facilities, which supervise a population of approximately 23,000 adult inmates and 300 juveniles. This funding will allow IDOC to equip its over 5,500 state employees and 1,300 contract workers with BWCs, which will enhance accountability, integrity, and professionalism within the state's correctional system. IDOC has already laid the groundwork for this agency-wide BWC program through the adoption of relevant policies and the operation of a pilot program at one of its adult facilities.

The indiana department of correction (IDOC), the state of indianas executive branch agency charged with accepting committed persons for custody, care, training, and reintegration, is seeking to establish a comprehensive BWC program for all IDOC facilities. IDOC supervises and serves a population of approximately 23,000 adult incarcerated individuals and 300 juveniles and employs more than 5,500 state employees and 1,300 contract employees in 21 facilities around the state. Additionally, IDOC also operates indianas parole services, supervising more than 6,000 parolees statewide. Article 1, section 18 of the indiana constitution requires that the states penal code shall be founded on the principles of reformation, and not of vindictive justice. To that end, indiana has worked to remain a national leader in the delivery of correctional services, dating to its participation in the first meeting of the american correctional association in 1870, an organization through which IDOC maintains accreditations for all its adult and juvenile facilities and parole services branches as well as its training institute, and central office. The implementation of a comprehensive BWC program will enable IDOC to continue performing as a model of best correctional practices, inspiring a culture of accountability, integrity, and professionalism. Idocs goal is to equip custody staff in all its facilities with bwcs. In the past two years, IDOC has made tangible progress in laying the foundation for whole-agency program implementation, including the adoption of a BWC policy and operation of a pilot program at one of its adult facilities. IDOC staff has also collaborated with other states correctional agencies that have implemented BWC programs to help identify best practices for its own program.