Frequently Asked Questions
If you're looking for FAQ's on a particular topic, please click on one of these buttons:
FAQ's are answers to Frequently Asked Questions asked about NIC's services and resources. Click on one of the titles to see the answer. We recommend using the search function to find what you're looking for and so that you're not endlessly scrolling for things that aren't relevant to your needs.
Why does the WRNA focus on women?
Published:
Between 1980 and 2019, the number of incarcerated women in the U.S. increased by 700%. When considering the latest available data from 2020, the increase since 1980 reduces to 475% due to COVID-related correctional policy changes. Regardless, women continue to be the fastest growing segment of the criminal justice system (The Sentencing Project, 2022).
References cited:
The Sentencing Project. (2022, May). Incarcerated women and girls. Fact sheets. Author.
https://www.sentencingproject.org/fact-sheet/incarcerated-women-and-girls/
What settings can the WRNA be used in?
Published:
The suite of WRNA instruments are considered fourth-generation validated risk/needs assessments. Three core versions reflect instruments validated for adult women in post-conviction settings: (1) Institutional Intake; (2) Pre-Release; (3) Community/Probation/Post-Release. The WRNA includes the needs and strengths most pertinent to women as identified in multiple validation studies.
What populations was the WRNA validated for?
Published:
Generally, the WRNA has been validated with adult, system-involved women assigned to institutions, pre‐release, community residential settings, probation, and parole/post-release supervision after having been adjudicated guilty for an offense. The WRNA is not currently validated for use for women on pre-trial status. And although some jurisdictions may decide to use the instrument to inform judicial sentencing decisions, it was not designed specifically for this purpose, nor for determining an “in or out” decision (i.e., incarceration versus no incarceration). Such decisions should be based on local sentencing guidelines and the larger correctional philosophies of each jurisdiction.
The WRNA was found to perform differently depending on the environment; some needs predict institutional adjustment problems better than they predict community recidivism. It is important for your agency to consider what needs are more potent in the setting you are providing services in.
If the WRNA is in public domain, what is required to gain access?
Published:
The WRNA was developed through federal monies, and are in the public-domain, distributed with no charge. The copyrights for the assessments are held by the University of Cincinnati and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
When should the WRNA be used for case planning?
Published:
For the WRNA, it is generally recommended that case planning takes place with individuals who score moderate risk or higher. Individuals who score low risk on the WRNA may not have needs that necessitate case planning and doing too much with these individuals may backfire.
Should we reassess clients with the WRNA?
Published:
The WRNA Interview + Survey should be updated annually with clients or in the case of a significant event (i.e., a new offense, relapse, change in case manager, assault, etc.).
Can we override specific questions or general risk scores in the WRNA?
Published:
As a general rule, overrides on specific questions should occur only when information in the official record contradicts the system-involved person’s stated response to the question. They should not be the result of the interviewer’s perception of the issue in question. Within the interview guide, items which may be overridden are noted on the assessment with an asterisk (*) next to the question number. These are the only items which may be overridden in the scale.
Can NIC pay for a keynote speaker at our conference?
Published:
No, NIC cannot provide funding for keynote speakers at a conference. However, NIC can provide training at a conference, providing it meets our initiatives.
Can I use portions of T4C for low-risk participants?
Published:
Thinking for a Change (T4C) is not designed to be used with individuals assessed as low-risk; rather for those identified as medium- to high-risk. If you choose to use the lessons as you describe, we ask that you do not call the program T4C, because such changes (use with a different population or in a different manner) violate the fidelity of the program as it was designed and evaluated.
Do you have Thinking for a Change in other languages?
Published:
NIC does not currently have the T4C curriculum available for distribution in languages other than English. Agencies who are delivering T4C are strongly encouraged, based on their client population needs, to have the English version of T4C 4.0 translated to ensure fidelity in the curriculum's delivery to non-English speaking participants.
When and where will NIC offer Thinking for a Change facilitator training?
Published:
Where can I find more information on T4C Training for Trainers?
Published:
2024-04-09Applications for Thinking for a Change – Training for Trainers 2024 Now Open
The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) offers Thinking for a Change - Training for Trainers to qualified criminal justice professionals or qualifying government contractors. NIC does not offer training to private or non-profit organizations. This year's T4C T4T is a 73-hour blended learning event with 5 weeks of interactive online training culminating in three and half days of onsite training at the National Institute of Corrections Academy in Aurora, CO.
T4C T4T is a blended learning experience (online learning and face-to-face learning).
Online Learning: The virtual instructor-led training (VILT) sessions will be on Mondays and Thursdays: July 15, 18, 22, 25,29, an August 1, 5, 8, 15.
Face-to-Face Learning: The three-and-a-half-day instructor-led training (ILT) will be Monday through Thursday, August 19-21 at the National Corrections Academy in Aurora, CO.
Click to view the sample agenda, which is located at the bottom of the webpage, for more detailed information about the training agenda.
This training is subject to cancellation if funding is unavailable.
Below are the course pre-requisites:
Applicants must be employed by or contracted with a governmental corrections agency.
Teams of at least two eligible candidates (max of 3) must be established. NIC will accept only one application per agency.
Each applicant must also provide the following:
Proof of 32 hours of T4C Facilitator Training
Verification of delivery of two full rounds of T4C with correctional clients
A 5-minute video demonstrating T4C facilitation skills and curriculum knowledge
An approval letter signed by your agency CEO.
The deadline to apply is June 7th, 2024, so if you are interested, please submit your application soon. Click here to apply.
Please note: Thinking for a Change Training for Trainers is offered by NIC, and there is no cost to register. This is a NIC-hosted event, therefore NIC will cover the cost for airline travel and reimburse each participant for all other travel, lodging, and per diem costs. However, participants will be responsible for the costs associated with printing their training manual and intersession assignments. NIC recommends that a minimum of two staff members register from each interested agency.
How does NIC offer Thinking for a Change Facilitator Training?
Published:
NIC offers the Thinking for a Change Facilitator Training to correctional agencies in a 44-hour blended learning experience. The program is provided in partnership with a corrections agency. The program includes:
- 6 Virtual Instructor Led Training (VILT) sessions
- Inter-Session Work (independent study/practice).
- 1 Instructor Led Training (ILT) program.
Typically, all event and activities are scheduled within a seven week timeframe. This allows participants to complete inter-session work between the VILTs and the ILT. The ILT portion of the training is conducted onsite at the corrections agency site.
Is there a cost for the NIC Thinking For A Change Facilitator Training?
Published:
There are no fees charged for NIC's Thinking For A Change Facilitator Training. However, when attending a Host Site sponsored event all travel, lodging, and per diem costs will be the responsibility of the participant’s agency. In addition, participants will be responsible for the costs associated with printing their training manual and intersession assignments. NIC recommends that two staff members register from each interested agency.
I don't work for a government corrections organization, how can I access T4C Facilitator training?
Published:
NIC only provides the facilitator training to governmental correctional agencies and is not able to include non-profit or private agencies or citizens in its training programs. However, if you work for a private provider of services to a government corrections organization (a jail, a prison or a community corrections organization (probation or parole agency), you may be eligible.
Your agency can request Thinking For A Change Facilitator Training from NIC directly, with a letter included from the agency CEO of the government corrections agency that your agency is statutorily required to provide services to and/or contractually provides services to, endorsing your private provider of service organization request to NIC. This letter must accompany the request to NIC.
I received facilitator training on a previous version of Thinking For A Change, do I need additional training to use the 4.0 curriculum?
Published:
If you have completed a formal Thinking for A Change facilitator training program from NIC, you can use the updated 4.0 curriculum without further training. There is no requirement for facilitators to take an additional course to use the updated version.
Are there any best practice recommendations for delivery of the Thinking For A Change program to clients?
Published:
Yes, program fidelity and integrity are critical to program success so it is important to follow the curriculum as designed. Following are some best practice recommendations:
- Use two trained facilitators,
- Deliver two sessions each week,
- Target the right clients, these are medium- to high-risk offenders,
- Ensure that each client in the group has the opportunity to try every skill during the class,
- Ensure that clients complete the intersession homework
- Make sure all clients receive feedback.
It is also important that the program be completed from beginning to end due to the integrated nature of the program.
Is there a Copyright on the Thinking for a Change Program?
Published:
Thinking for a Change is copyrighted by its authors Jack Bush, PhD, Barry Glick, PhD, and Juliana Taymans, PhD, with certain rights retained by NIC.
The National Institute of Corrections reserves the right to reproduce, publish, translate, or otherwise use, and to authorize others to publish and use all or part of the copyrighted material contained in this publication for any federal government purposes. Parties other than NIC are not authorized to sell or use these copyrighted materials for commercial gain except with the explicit permission of the authors.
For more information, see NIC's Copyright page at https://nicic.gov/copyright.
Does NIC offer a Thinking for A Change Certified Facilitator credential?
Published:
No, NIC does not currently offer a Certified Facilitator Credential.
I'm a trained facilitator who has conducted lots of Thinking for A Change groups. Can I train other staff in my agency to facilitate Thinking for a Change?
Published:
No, NIC recommends that facilitators complete a Thinking for a Change train the trainer program before they train others. Program fidelity and integrity are critical to T4C program success so it is important that staff are qualified to train other trainers.
Where can I find more information on T4C Training for Trainers?
Published:
Published:
2024-04-09Applications for Thinking for a Change – Training for Trainers 2024 Now Open
The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) offers Thinking for a Change - Training for Trainers to qualified criminal justice professionals or qualifying government contractors. NIC does not offer training to private or non-profit organizations. This year's T4C T4T is a 73-hour blended learning event with 5 weeks of interactive online training culminating in three and half days of onsite training at the National Institute of Corrections Academy in Aurora, CO.T4C T4T is a blended learning experience (online learning and face-to-face learning).
Online Learning: The virtual instructor-led training (VILT) sessions will be on Mondays and Thursdays: July 15, 18, 22, 25,29, an August 1, 5, 8, 15.
Face-to-Face Learning: The three-and-a-half-day instructor-led training (ILT) will be Monday through Thursday, August 19-21 at the National Corrections Academy in Aurora, CO.
Click to view the sample agenda, which is located at the bottom of the webpage, for more detailed information about the training agenda.
This training is subject to cancellation if funding is unavailable.
Below are the course pre-requisites:
Applicants must be employed by or contracted with a governmental corrections agency.
Teams of at least two eligible candidates (max of 3) must be established. NIC will accept only one application per agency.
Each applicant must also provide the following:
Proof of 32 hours of T4C Facilitator Training
Verification of delivery of two full rounds of T4C with correctional clients
A 5-minute video demonstrating T4C facilitation skills and curriculum knowledge
An approval letter signed by your agency CEO.
The deadline to apply is June 7th, 2024, so if you are interested, please submit your application soon. Click here to apply.
Please note: Thinking for a Change Training for Trainers is offered by NIC, and there is no cost to register. This is a NIC-hosted event, therefore NIC will cover the cost for airline travel and reimburse each participant for all other travel, lodging, and per diem costs. However, participants will be responsible for the costs associated with printing their training manual and intersession assignments. NIC recommends that a minimum of two staff members register from each interested agency.
How long will it take to get an answer from the NIC Helpdesk?
Published:
Most questions are answered within one business day, but we work hard to make sure that we answer all questions within 5 business days or less.
When will my order of NIC products be delivered to me?
Published:
In most cases, material is sent via US Postal mail and you should see it within 7-10 days. International and priority shipments will vary in shipping time. Items on backorder will be shipped as they become available.
Note: With our migration to a primarily digital catalogue, we have removed the Add to Cart button for any product that has been converted to a digital form (PDF, streaming audio or video). Only products that have not yet been converted are available for order. You can order physical NIC products by creating an account on our website and placing items in your cart.
How do I rent eBooks through NIC's digital library?
Published:
NIC has been building out a library of our publications. You can install the free Libby app to borrow and enjoy digital titles from our library on your tablet or smart phone. Visit your device’s app store or app.overdrive.com to get started. OverDrive is also available via all web browsers on devices, including computers (Windows and Mac).
Find and save our library’s OverDrive collection in the app. If accessing our collection via a web browser, visit our digital collection URL: https://nic.overdrive.com
Browse the collections or search for your next great read. Borrow or place a hold on a title. You’ll need an account on the NIC website to complete this step.
Borrowed titles will appear on your Loans page on the library’s OverDrive website.From here, you can:
- Download titles to the Bookshelf in the Libby app to read anytime anywhere.
- Read or Listen to some titles directly in your web browser without downloading.
- Borrowed titles will automatically return at the end of the lending period.
- You may also return titles early to free up space in your library account.
Am I eligible to received research assistance?
Published:
The NIC Information Center is a resource for those working in the field of corrections, and the assistance it provides (searching the library, locating resources, and providing referrals) is available at no cost.
The Information Center is not staffed to provide legal advice, directly assist offenders/ex-offenders, or friends and family of offenders. Only limited support is available for students, educators, and consultants.