The Intake, Training, and Analysis Division (ITAD) is responsible for the processing and management of the thousands of complaints filed with OSI.. ITAD investigators answer phone calls from incarcerated individuals, staff, and the public calling the OSI Hotline, to file a complaint. They also read and process written complaints received through OSI’s on-line complaint form, emailed complaints ([email protected]) and traditional mailed letters containing complaints. OSI’s ITAD also coordinates both the internal and external training of OSI members to ensure that OSI continues to receive both training on relevant fundamentals and state-of-the-art and innovative investigative techniques and technology. . The oversight of OSI’s evidence storage and management is another responsibility of ITAD. Furthermore, ITAD assists with OSI’s special operations, intelligence collection and analysis, and program development to advance OSI’s mission.
OSI’s Analysis Unit, which was made part of ITAD in August 2022, performs several functions that have supported and enhanced criminal and administrative investigations, provides analysis reports, statistical analysis, trend-analysis, and strategic assessments. OSI has highly trained and experienced analysts who generate analytics proactively and regularly on trends of complaints and investigative findings for each correctional facility. The Analysis Unit assists with major cases, particularly the analysis of contraband cellular-phone information to identify unauthorized relationships and potential sexual misconduct by staff, as well as retrospective ad hoc analysis reports. OSI is expanding the focus of the Analysis Unit to include proactive analytics to meet the analytic needs of not only OSI, but also the DOCCS Executive team and facility Superintendents. The Analysis Unit generates data, reports, and findings that will enable decision-makers within the Department to make more informed risk-mitigation decisions based on an “intelligence-led” model.
OSI is expanding its Quality Assurance Unit, which is part of ITAD, to include several investigative counsels. The purpose of this team is to ensure the highest quality review and quality control across OSI’s function. The Quality Assurance Team leverages legal expertise to help OSI in its investigations and analytical reports to hold offenders accountable and provide information to help improve the Department’s operations. Consistent with OSI’s “continuous improvement” motto, the quality reviews of case files, evidence, and reports continues to improve the thoroughness of OSI’s investigations. The attorneys’ perspectives would assist with the analysis of the witness statements, physical evidence, documents, videos, etc., to ensure that OSI’s assessment and weighing of the evidence are as rigorous and fair as possible. This team of lawyers will particularly focus on investigations of physical and sexual assaults conducted by the Public Integrity Division. With both the Quality Assurance Team within ITAD, and ITAD’s Analysis Unit, the synergy between these two units further enhances the OSI’s investigations, and special operations. Additionally, investigative counsels work with an investigative team on major cases and assist OSI’s investigative staff in formulating recommendations to Departmental executives to improve policies and procedures.