2024 ACA Nashville Program Book_154th Congress of Correction

WORKSHOPS

Thursday, Aug. 15 ▼ 4–5:30 p.m.

with effective tools to bolster contraband cell phone management within correctional settings. Specifically, the workshop discusses recent research efforts exploring targeted strategies for contraband interdiction, such as microjamming, managed access systems and the utilization of cell phone detection K9 units. Moderator: KiDeuk Kim , Senior Fellow, Urban Institute, Washington, D.C. Speakers: Bryce Peterson , Senior Research Scientist, CNA Corporation, Arlington, Virginia; John Shaffer , Executive Deputy Secretary (retired), Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, Murrysville, Pennsylvania Adopting and Implementing a Policy Equity Assessment Tool in Corrections [CEU] Room 201-A Adopting and using an equity assessment to guide the development of correctional policies can help departments address systemic barriers that hinder opportunity and equitable decision-making. The Vermont Department of Corrections has developed a tool to ensure all new and revised policies are holistic, inclusive and responsive to the needs of all individuals who are under its custody or supervision. This workshop will introduce participants to the tool, lead them through an exercise in applying it, and talk through the steps necessary to

adopt and implement a similar tool in their own system. Applying a systematic tool to evaluate all policies and practices is one step towards a just, equitable, diverse and inclusive system. Moderator: Amy Jacobs , Facility Superintendent, Vermont Department of Corrections, Newport, Vermont Speakers: Christine Cowart , Policy Development Unit Director, Vermont Department of Corrections, Waterbury, Vermont; Margaret Faller , Policy Analyst, Vermont Department of Corrections, Waterbury, Vermont How the Idaho Department of Correction Solved Its Staffing Crisis Room 202-C As the world eased out of the COVID-19 pandemic, many correctional departments around the U.S. began experiencing a historic staffing crisis in the correctional officer ranks (Celi et al., 2024). Uncertainty caused by the pandemic, consistently low state unemployment rates, an exploding housing market and relatively low comparative starting wages combined to make recruiting and hiring correctional officers extremely challenging in Idaho. Despite these challenges, this is the story of how the Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) slashed its vacancy rate by more than 70% over an 18-month period and effectively moved out of the staffing crisis. Our work

ACA 154 th Congress of Correction | Nashville — 95