SJIC-Sample pre-notification cover letter

U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
Bureau of Justice Statistics
Washington, D.C. 20531

«Date»
«Name1» «Name2»
«Address1»
«Address2»
«Address3»
Dear «Name3» «Name2»:
We are writing to let you know that the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) will be fielding the 2013
Annual Survey of Jails in Indian Country (SJIC) during the week of July 23, 2013. This year’s survey will
again track key characteristics of jails and jail inmates in Indian Country, including the rated capacity of
the facilities, the number of persons admitted to and released from jails, and aggregate data on inmate
demographics, convictions status, and the type of admission offense.
BJS will again partner with Westat, Inc., to collect the data. As in previous years, we will be faxing the
forms to you rather than mailing them to you. When you receive the fax with the survey form, Westat’s
contact information will be provided.
Thanks to your efforts, we have been able to highlight the high volume of the inmates admitted into your
jail and the resource demands they place on jail operations as a major source of strain in managing your
inmate population. The volume of inmates admitted to Indian country jails was 6 times the size of the
average daily population in June 2011. You may also find it interesting that nationwide, 78,700 American
Indians and Alaska Natives were under correctional supervision in the United States. About 62% of these
offenders (49,000) were under supervision in the community on probation or parole in 2011, and 38%
(29,700) were in prison or jail. The resulting report, Jails in Indian Country, 2011, is available
electronically at http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/index.cfm?ty=pbdetail&iid=4492.
In several months we anticipate releasing Jails in Indian Country, 2012. Along with previous editions, the
anticipated report will be available at http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/index.cfm?ty=pbse&sid=32. If you are
unable to access the reports electronically, we would be happy to email you or mail you a copy.
We appreciate your participation in this important collection and look forward to further communication
with you. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact Todd Minton at 202-305-9630,
or [email protected].
Sincerely,

Todd D. Minton
Project Officer, Survey of Jails in Indian Country
BJS Statistician, Corrections Statistics Unit

William J. Sabol, Ph.D.
Deputy Director, Bureau of Justice Statistics