Benchmark Analytics Works with Sheriffs to Improve Risk Management

MCIT is in its fourth year of partnering with Benchmark Analytics to support county sheriffs’ risk management, focusing on jail operations. Over the past three years, Benchmark Analytics has offered two no-cost programs to engage with sheriffs: iMPACT and Jail Excellence Network. Both use data analysis to identify areas of risk and strategies to address them.

iMPACT Program

iMPACT is a quality improvement program designed to reduce jail risk by:

• Forecasting and assessing member liability risks
• Engaging Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association (MSA) and members with evidence-based practice research
• Fostering sheriff’s office relationships and inspiring evidence-based practice adoption and expansion
• Measuring long-term results

This is a one-on-one program focused on the member’s individual operations and offers recommendations specific to the member’s identified areas needing improvement. iMPACT analyzes a member’s jail liability and workers’ compensation claims and measures statistical changes in jail claims after implementation of evidenced-based practices.

Since 2023, this program has resulted in 50 percent participation among MCIT member sheriff’s offices, as well as educational sessions at MSA conferences.

Jail Excellence Network

The Jail Excellence Network was introduced in 2025, bringing together jail leaders for collaborative learning about jail best practices to reduce risks to both inmates and jail staff.

During the year, six interactive sessions were held across the state at members’ jails in Mower, Renville, Crow Wing, Le Sueur, Beltrami and Carlton counties. The 2025 sessions introduced participants to after-action reviews, their benefits using interactive discussions, shared lessons learned from participants’ experiences and facility tours that encouraged peer connection and networking.

Members who attended the Jail Excellence Network events found them valuable on several levels:

• Tangible takeaways to improve operations to reduce inmate and staff injuries
• Importance of conducting after-action reviews for both positive and negative results
• Need to develop and provide specific and ongoing training to staff
• Hearing what works for other jails across the state

2026 Programming

This year, Benchmark Analytics continues its one-on-one iMPACT data analysis and best practices discussions with members, is scheduling more Jail Excellence Network sessions across the state focusing on the intake process, and is presenting at MSA jail operations events.

Connect with Benchmark Analytics

MCIT members who are interested in learning more about the iMPACT program or Jail Excellence Network should contact their MCIT risk management consultant.
Benchmark’s services are provided to members at no cost as part of MCIT’s risk management services.