How the Indiana Department of Correction Uses FlippingBook to Share Data, Stories, and Impact

The Indiana Department of Correction oversees 21 correctional facilities across the state, as well as parole and the broader back end of the criminal justice system. The department doesn't only focus on managing facilities, but also works on helping offenders successfully reintegrate into society while supporting public safety. 

As part of their work, they publish an annual review highlighting their programs and achievements for legislators, the governor's office, staff, and, last but not least, the public. Yet for many people, the correctional system remains distant and complex. The team wanted to change that by transforming the report into more engaging content.

Challenge

The department developed its annual report as a public-facing overview of how the correctional system worked. But the goal went beyond sharing just facts and figures—it was also about helping readers better understand what the department did and how it contributed to safer communities.

For Noelle Russell, Chief Communications Officer, the annual review represented an opportunity to tell that story in a clearer, more compelling way.  

We’re hoping to help people understand the prison system, to demystify what we do, and help the public understand the things we do every day to keep them safe.

The Indiana Department of Correction was looking for a solution to share its communications in a way that would draw people in while holding up to the standards of credibility and professionalism expected from a government institution.

Noelle first discovered FlippingBook while working for a nonprofit. She came across an annual report presented as a flipbook, and the format instantly caught her eye.

I couldn’t believe what a difference it made in how I engaged with the product. Things that I perhaps would have just glanced at, I was suddenly giving real attention to.

When she joined the Indiana Department of Correction, she was determined to bring that same experience to government communications.

Solution

FlippingBook turned out to be exactly the tool the team had been looking for. They especially valued the ability to add interactive elements that could spark interest and truly captivate readers' attention.

We knew we wanted the interactive elements. That was really the biggest driving factor.

The team got to work building an annual review that felt more like a window into the department's world. A historical timeline with archival photos, facility maps, budget breakdowns, technology updates, and stories of successful reentry programs—all enriched with embedded videos, images, and links that a static PDF simply couldn't offer.

The department also found the right balance between digital and print. Printed copies remained available for visitors and in-person stakeholders, while the digital version could be shared online.

We recognize that people are online, they’re on their phones. We will always have some copies of our books, but we are moving toward digital.

Results

The Indiana Department of Correction has launched its first interactive annual review with FlippingBook, and the difference is already clear. They now have a single digital report to email to legislators, embed on their website, and share publicly.

For Noelle, it's also a personal milestone—one that sets a new standard for how the department communicates with the public.

Today, FlippingBook helps the Indiana Department of Correction:

• Present complex government information in a more dynamic, accessible format.
• Combine data, stories, videos, and links in a single shareable annual review.
• Reach legislators, officials, staff, and the public through digital and print channels.
• Build transparency and public trust through a clearer picture of the department's work.

The team also plans to use FlippingBook analytics to better understand how audiences interact with the report and which sections generate the most interest. 

And beyond the annual report, Noelle already sees potential for more: internal newsletters, staff photo albums, quarterly updates, and other publications that help bring the department's work to life.

The foundation is set, the team is growing, and the possibilities ahead are wide open.