DECISION POINTS AUTHORS - Key Persons
Charles Robinson is an independent consultant in corrections and criminal justice with emphasis in evidence-based philosophy, use of risk assessment instruments, case planning and cognitive behavioral interventions. Mr. Robinson is an author of Decision Points.
During his correctional career, Charles has held the following positions:
Facilitator, Thinking for a Change
Supervisor, Dallas County DIVERT Adult Treatment Court, Dallas, Texas;
Manager, Intensive Intervention Programs and Specialty Court, Dallas, Texas;
Probation and Pre-trial Services, Administrative Offices of the Courts, Probation and Pretrial Services Office, Washington, DC;
Director, Travis County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, Austin, Texas.
Charles has authored/co-authored the following programs used in corrections:
What are They Thinking: Techniques for Addressing Risk Factors with Offenders, a training curriculum covering the use of thinking reports and problem-solving process to address violation behavior. (co-author)
Stopping Abuse For Everyone-SAFE, a cognitive-behavioral domestic violence program that helps offenders make and maintain changes in abusive behavior. (co-author).
Effective Practices in Correctional Settings II (co-author), a training program for criminal justice professionals who provide direct service to clients. The techniques are based on existing behavioral change strategies found to be effective with criminal justice clients.
Charles has been actively involved in cognitive-behavioral interventions since 1998. He has published numerous articles for professional journals.
Job Titles:
- Consultant With NIC
- Professor
Dr. Juliana Taymans is a professor emerita of special education at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Taymans has been a consultant with NIC since 1991 developing training and curricula on cognitive-behavioral interventions. She has provided training and technical assistance to over 50 correctional agencies implementing cognitive-behavioral interventions.
Juliana has authored/co-authored the following programs used in corrections:
Problem Solving Skills in Action
Thinking for a Change
Communicating for Change: Line Staff Management of Youthful Offenders through Active Communication
The Domestic Violence Education Program
Decision Points
Dr. Taymans was on the authoring team for the original Thinking for a Change as well as all updated versions. Juliana also works on instructional design projects for the U. S. Department of Education to develop courses for adult educators.
Juliana has been actively involved in cognitive-behavioral interventions since 1987. In addition to her work with NIC, she is a trainer for the University of Kansas, Center for Research on Learning, on cognitive-behavioral interventions for youth with learning disabilities.
Jack Bush is an independent consultant in corrections and criminal justice with an emphasis in cognitive behavioral programs for offenders, communication with offenders, and strategies of correctional intervention.
During his correctional career, Jack has held the following positions:
Director, Drug Offender Treatment Program, Western State Hospital, Fort Steilacoom, Washington
Therapy Supervisor, Mentally Ill Offender Program, Western State Hospital, Fort Steilacoom, Washington
Director, Mentally or Emotionally Disturbed Program, Correctional Treatment Programs, Oregon State Hospital, Salem, Oregon
Jack has authored/co-authored the following programs used in corrections:
Cognitive Self Change, a cognitive restructuring program for offenders. CSC teaches offenders concrete skills for changing their own thinking. Cognitive Self Change is currently delivered in America, England, Northern Ireland, Wales, Finland, and Australia. Published 1988, with revisions through 2012.
Thinking for a Change, a cognitive skills program combining cognitive restructuring, social skills, and problem solving. Developed in cooperation with The National Institute of Corrections. With Barry Glick and Juliana Taymans. Published 1993.
Cognitive Self Change in a Therapeutic Community. With Phoenix House and the Vermont Department of Corrections. This program presents cognitive self-direction skills in the context of the social influence of structured therapeutic communities. Published 2008.
The Self Direction Program, a cognitive change program for women offenders. With the Department of Program Services, the Vermont Department of Corrections. Published 2009.
Numerous cognitive treatment programs for offenders at local sites throughout the United States. 1988-2012.
Jack has been actively involved in cognitive-behavioral interventions since 1979. He has published numerous articles and chapters for several books. Dr. Bush also consults internationally throughout Europe and Australia.
Steve Swisher is an independent consultant in criminal justice. He served 21 years as a correctional program specialist with the National Institute of Corrections (NIC).
Mr. Swisher is an accomplished instructional designer and master facilitator/trainer. He has developed hundreds of training curricula and training programs during his career.
As an advocate for the use of advanced technologies in training to meet the needs of today's ever evolving corrections profession, he pioneered NIC's development and use of e-learning technology in the design and delivery of distance learning strategies.
Steve is a certified e-learning instruction designer using both synchronous and asynchronous platforms. He led the NIC team developing its virtual learning management system, the NIC Learning Center, to electronically manage traditional classroom instruction, online courses, and virtual instructor-led learning experiences. He also served as the executive producer of the NIC "live" satellite/Internet broadcast series.
Mr. Swisher is nationally recognized for his work in the design and development of the highly successful integrated cognitive behavior program, Thinking for a Change (T4C). He has trained over 6,000 facilitators to deliver the program and has equipped over 250 agencies to train their own staff to facilitate the program. He was a consulting sponsor of the T4C 3.1 revision. He is actively involved in the advancement of the program including the new Thinking for a Change Certified Facilitator credential.
Steve began is correctional career in Maryland with almost 20 years of state service in corrections. During that tenure, he last held the position of Regional Administrator for correctional education programs with the Maryland State Department of Education. In this capacity, he administered all facets of correctional educational programming including academic, vocational education, post-secondary, apprenticeship and industries for the Western Region of the state. Previously he served as the state's academic coordinator, supervisor of correctional education for an institution and a teacher.
Mr. Swisher holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Frostburg State University, a Master's Degree in Administration from Western Maryland College and a second Master's Degree in the Teaching of Reading from the Johns Hopkins University.