Information Technology

The Office of Information Technology

The Bureaus of:

The Office of Information Technology, under the direction of Chief Information Officer Earl Kellow, is comprised of the following three bureaus and one support section.

The Bureau of Computing Services is responsible for Central Office local area network (LAN) and personal computer hardware and software support. It provides statewide support for all distributed processor based systems, client server equipment and both local and wide area networks (LANs/WANs). This bureau also includes the new research and development function.

The Bureau of Corrections Data Center (CDC) is responsible for providing mainframe computer and statewide telecommunications services to the department and other selected agencies. The CDC houses the major databases comprising the Offender Based Information System (OBIS). Before being transferred to the Department of Corrections this bureau was known as the Justice Data Center and was part of the Florida Supreme Court.

The Bureau of Systems Development is responsible for applications software development and maintenance. This includes the Offender Based Information System (OBIS) that runs on the CDC mainframe, distributed applications such as the Reception Center system, the Cashless Canteen/Inmate Bank system, and client server applications that run on personal computers and local area networks (LANs). Staff includes programmers, systems analysts, and database personnel. Also, this bureau supervises all contract programmers.

Accomplishments in FY 1996-97:

The Office of Information Technology (OIT), implemented the following projects during this fiscal year:

• Bed Management subsystem - This system tracks the institutional and dorm location profile where inmates are housed. It was implemented statewide adding over 4,000 new users;

• Probation Officers Workstation - Software development was completed and the project was piloted. The system allows the use of laptops for remote entry of caseload information by probation officers in the field and the uploading of data electronically to the mainframe offender information system. Statewide implementation will occur as equipment becomes available in probation and parole offices across the state;

• Sex Offender Pictures and Addresses - Mainframe screens were created to capture the addresses of all offenders under supervision. Based on legislative requirements, addresses and pictures are provided to FDLE for display on FDLE's Internet website at http://www.fdle.state.fl.us, making this information accessible to law enforcement and the general public;

• Risk Classification - This system provides a way to determine appropriate supervision standards for offenders on probation or parole. This classification will determine how often the offender is seen in the field and in the office. The contact recording portion of the system was implemented statewide. The remainder of the system will be implemented during the next year;

• Year 2000 Issues - Work is continuing on system modifications to correctly handle the year 2000. Modifications and changes have been made to the Cashless Canteen and Reception Processing systems. Conversion of the Offender Based Information System (OBIS) programs and databases is scheduled for completion at the end of 1997. The department is also upgrading hardware in a number of areas to be Year 2000 compliant, including cashless canteen/inmate bank processors and office automation processors in probation and parole offices and institutions;

• Internet - The OIT continued expansion and improvement of one of the country's premier corrections websites (http://www.dc.state.fl.us/), receiving recognition from Microsoft Corporation as an Outstanding Justice Website. The site was completely reorganized in February 1997 when a full-time webmaster, Joe Clark, was appointed, and now contains hundreds of documents and images, including statistical reports, email directories, maps, staff information, a virtual reality prison cell, and an online version of this Annual Report!

• Roster Management - Our staff completed systems development and began a pilot of a new system to manage the scheduling of correctional officers in major institutions to address different manpower staffing requirements and minimize the need for overtime;

• Direct Computer Access by Criminal Justice Agencies - The department continues to expand the access by state attorneys, public defenders, police departments, sheriff's offices, county probation, clerks of courts, court administrators, state agencies and federal agencies. In FY96-97, the department trained personnel in all offices of the Department of Revenue, who use the system to track down child support payments and tax cases. Access by the Immigration and Naturalization Service is being expanded to five additional sites for tracking of criminal aliens;

• Inspector General System - This system tracks correspondence, grievance, and intelligence information received from field staff and provides the Central Office Inspector General's Office monthly, quarterly and ad hoc reports. A full search and data analysis capability was also included. The development of the system has been completed with full implementation scheduled for next year.