SUMMARY

C.O.R.E.S.T.A.R. (Correctional, Outcomes, Reentry, Ethics, Security, Treatment, and Accountability Review) was established in January of 2004. C.O.R.E.S.T.A.R. is a data-driven management tool that defines areas of accountability, develops a system for the collection of timely and accurate data and to measures performance. C.O.R.E.S.T.A.R evaluates and analyses data and statistics within the Philadelphia Prison System (PPS) in order to enhance and improve the quality and effectiveness of programs and services.

The C.O.R.E.S.T.A.R. Unit publishes a Monthly Statistical Review that illustrates several PPS performance measures and indicators. Some of which include prison population, overtime data, restrictive movement, unfunded expenditures, employee leave data, searches and contraband reports, use of force, medical operations data and inmate misconduct.

At the C.O.R.E.S.T.A.R. meeting that convenes monthly the prison commissioner and his executive staff discuss and review presentations made by wardens, division heads and department directors. This process allow the PPS to explain variances in performance indicators, assist in decision making, implement strategies, explore best practices, cultivate professionalism and improve morale, prioritize resources, increase intra-departmental understanding, enhance public safety and explore cost-saving measures.