2023 ACA Philadelphia Program Book_153rd Congress of Correction

Welcome to Philadelphia!

I am truly pleased to welcome you, on behalf of our American Correctional Association leadership, host committee and staff, to ACA’s 153 rd Congress of Correction in the City of Brotherly Love; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia is the cradle of our Republic, the site where enduring documents like the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were forged. In this spirit, I am looking forward to enjoying the company of the thousands of corrections professionals who come to this conference seeking to learn new methods, exchange the latest research and make new friends with other correctional professionals from across the country and across the globe. I know you will find in this 153 rd Congress of Correction a truly unbelievable array of events to keep you busy from dawn to dusk. Our workshops, featuring engrossing speakers on the most

WELCOME

cutting-edge topics, are usually standing room only. There are a number of governance and committee meetings where the future of corrections is being discussed and debated. And please, don’t be late for this year’s General Session which is sure to be a memorable experience for all of us. In addition, I urge you to spend some of your time in our exhibit hall. The corrections partners will have on display the latest technologies, essential services and resources you will need to make your facilities the very best they can be. Continuing education is so important for our profession which is why many of you will take advantage of this opportunity to gain certifications and continuing education units. There is no place else where the amount of specialized knowledge is available for you to make you more efficient in the upcoming year. I’ve always said to turbocharge your career, attend a Congress of Correction! Lastly, I want to take this chance to give the women and men who spent their time and lent us their talents to put on this extraordinary event their due. As you are aware, staging a gathering of this magnitude is no easy feat. The professionals who put together this years’ Congress of Correction did so with amazing tenacity and tireless effort. I greatly appreciate their efforts and I hope you will do so as well.

James A. Gondles Jr., CAE Executive Director American Correctional Association

8 — ACA 153 rd Congress of Correction | Philadelphia