Division of Professional Standards

The Division of Professional Standards conducts internal affairs, criminal and administrative investigations and audits relating to all aspects of operations and programs of the department, including complaints and grievances. The Division, likewise, coordinates, drafts and recommends policies and rules designed to promote efficiencies, economies, and effectiveness in the operations of the department. Finally, the division handles the resident disciplinary process, which maintains order and safety in the Department’s facilities.

The Division maintains a Hearings Bureau whose responsibility is to process property claims under $500 as well as provide fair adjudication of administrative disciplinary matters involving residents. The Hearings Bureau conduct disciplinary hearings at all the NHDOC facilities.

The disciplinary hearings process follows Administrative Rule COR 311.01. * 

The Division of Professional Standards is also responsible for the Investigation Bureau which consists of two separate sections, one unit runs out of the NHSP-M in Concord and the other out of the NNHCF in Berlin, with a total 14 investigators assigned to the bureau. This bureau provides investigative services to all facilities where criminal conduct has occurred or is suspected, including but not limited to investigations into assaults, introduction of contraband, and escapes. The Investigations Bureau also uses four K-9 teams in their work to help prevent the introduction of contraband into the facilities. The Bureau also performs internal affairs investigations when necessary.

The third arm of the Division is its audit team, the audit team conducts various audits throughout the year, including kitchen operations, payroll, and canteen operations.