IDOC, Microsoft Introduce Offender-360
By: Robert Burke
Updated: February 13, 2013
The Illinois Department of Corrections, along with Microsoft, is announcing the implementation of a new IT modernization effort that will revolutionize the way criminal justice information is stored and shared across the state.
Offender-360 is a criminal justice information system built on Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online. This new cloud-based system will be phased in over the next several years and will eventually replace the 1980s mainframe Offender Tracking System currently utilized by the department.
"Offender-360 will expand IDOC's capacity for data-sharing, operational collaboration and transparency," said IDOC Director Salvador "Tony" Godinez. "This technology will give Illinois one of the most advanced criminal justice information systems in the nation."
Offender-360 centralizes offender information and intelligence to assist staff in making more effective and informed decisions regarding placement, rehabilitation and release. It will also allow the department to collaborate and share data with external criminal justice agencies.
IDOC will undergo a phased rollout, anticipating 5,500 users of Offender-360 by this summer. Phase I encompasses about 40% of the information from IDOC's current OTS system. The ultimate goal is complete migration to Offender 360, however OTS will remain the department's "system of record" until all records have either been integrated or migrated to the new platform.
IDOC anticipates the system will provide cost savings once Offender 360 is fully implemented. The savings would be derived from a reduction of duplicate medical tests, more effective intake procedures and reduction of overtime now being used to manage paper files.IDOC is committed to operating a safe and secure prison system as well as enhancing prison-based treatment, prevention programs and the successful reentry of inmates into society.
