NIS-4J Facility Questionnaire Feedback Form

Attachment C: Facility Questionnaire Expert Review Materials
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NIS-4 Jails – BJS Introduction Email
NIS-4 Jails – BJS Facility Questionnaire Feedback Form
NIS-4 Jails – BJS Reminder Email
NIS-4 Jails – BJS Thank you Email

SUBJECT: National Inmate Survey Jails Facility Questionnaire – Request for Your Input
I am writing to request your help in reviewing the Facility Questionnaire that will be used in the
upcoming National Inmate Survey (NIS-4) in jails.
NIS-4 is part of the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ National Prison Rape Statistics Program, which gathers
data on the incidence and prevalence of sexual assault in correctional facilities. Collection of these data
is mandated under the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 and the fourth data collection is scheduled
to be conducted in selected jail facilities nationwide in 2023.
Please do not answer the survey questions in the attachment, rather, we would like you to review it and
provide us with your feedback on whether the questions would make sense in your jail facility. We
welcome any suggestions you have to improve the items by typing your comments directly into the grey
boxes throughout the questionnaire.
BJS is working with Westat to conduct the NIS-4 Jails Facility Questionnaire. Please complete and
submit the attached review form to , a Westat employee, via email no later than
. can be reached at or by phone 0] During the past 12 months, that is since this date last year, were allegations of
sexual abuse or sexual harassment at [FACILITY NAME] investigated by staff at the facility,
referred to an organization outside the facility to investigate, or both?
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2
3

Staff at the facility investigated
Referred to an organization outside the facility
Both

24. Does [FACILITY NAME] have a policy that an inmate who makes an allegation of sexual abuse or
sexual harassment must be notified of the outcome of the investigation?
1
2

Yes
No

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Impact of COVID on Facility Practices
21. During the past 12 months, that is since this date last year, how did COVID affect each of these practices?
Practice
25a. Number of inmates
released early
25b. Amount of time
Correctional Officers spend in
the housing units
25c. Amount of inmate
movement within the facility
25d. Inmate participation in
recreational activities
25e. Inmate participation in
employment opportunities
25f. Number of visitors inside
the facility
25g. Number of volunteers
inside the facility

Increased Increased
No
Decreased Decreased
a lot
a little
change
a little
a lot

Question 25 Feedback
If the above wording is clear and reasonable for jail facilities, write “OK” below. Otherwise,
please provide any suggestions for improving the wording of question 25.

Additional Feedback
Please use this space to provide additional comments or suggestions that could help improve this
questionnaire.

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Additional Feedback

Thank you for providing this important information about [FACILITY NAME].

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SUBJECT: National Inmate Survey Jails Facility Questionnaire – Reminder Request
A few weeks ago, we asked for your help in reviewing items from the Facility Questionnaire that will
be used in the upcoming National Inmate Survey (NIS-4) in jails. This email is a reminder that your
input will help improve the data collected by this survey, and we would greatly appreciate your review
by .
Please let us know if you are unable to respond by this date and we will work to find a time that fits
your schedule. If you think you will not be able to respond at all, please do let us know that, too.
I am re-attaching the questionnaire for your convenience. Please do not answer the survey questions; we
are just seeking your comments and feedback (in the grey boxes throughout the questionnaire) on
whether you think the questions would make sense in your jail facility.
BJS is working with Westat to conduct the NIS-4 Jails Facility Questionnaire. Please complete and
submit the attached review form to , a Westat employee, via email no later than
. can be reached at or by phone (xxx) xxx-xxxx.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at (202) 307-0711 or Amy.Lauger@usdoj.gov.
Jessica Taylor, the Project Director from Westat, is also available to address questions and comments
at (240) 301-5852 or JessicaTaylor@Westat.com.
Sincerely,
Amy Lauger
PREA Program Manager
Bureau of Justice Statistics

SUBJECT: National Inmate Survey Jails Facility Questionnaire – Thank you for your feedback!
Dear :
I am writing to thank you for supporting the National Inmate Survey (NIS). We are grateful for your assistance with
reviewing the Facility Questionnaire and providing your feedback. Your input has helped us finalize the survey and to
begin our preparations for the upcoming fourth data collection of the NIS.
To assist the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) in carrying out the Prison Rape
Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA, Public Law 108-79) mandate, Westat will survey inmates in jail facilities nationwide
about the prevalence, characteristics, circumstances, correlates, and outcomes of sexual victimization while in facility
custody. Data collection is planned for early 2023.
Within the following year, you should receive notice from BJS of the release of the study report. We recognize the
contribution that you have made to the study and hope that you find the report useful.
If you have any questions about NIS or PREA, please contact me at or by email at Amy.Lauger@usdoj.gov.
Sincerely,
Amy D. Lauger
PREA Program Manager
Bureau of Justice Statistics

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