2025 ACA Winter Conference Orlando_Program Book

Sunday, Jan. 12 ▼ 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.

WORKSHOPS

Harvard v. Dixon: A Case Study on Successfully Defending a Constitutional Challenge to Restrictive Housing [ Y CE/CE] Room W230 A Overview: Restrictive Housing has remained a part of America’s penal system in one form or another for nearly 200 years. Following a brief overview of the critical legal issues and court rulings pertinent to the use of restrictive housing (segregated confinement), an examination of a successful defense of its use will be discussed. The analysis will be based on the response from the Florida Department of Corrections to a recent class action lawsuit, which led to a successful litigation outcome. Modifications to its statuses of segregated housing, addition of secure therapeutic units and a defined decision-making process for the placement, review, and discontinuation for restrictive housing statuses will be presented. Key components, including classification, security and mental health treatment and services will be reviewed. The critical mental health issues will be discussed and key components to

bulletproof your psychology and mental health program against litigation will be presented. Learning Objectives: • Identify key attributes to successfully operating a restrictive housing unit that can be defended against an Eight Amendment challenge. • Describe an environment in restrictive housing that is constitutionally adequate. • Recognize the components of constitutionally adequate psychological and mental health care for inmates in segregated housing and tips for successful litigation. Moderator: Kenneth S. Steely , J.D., Attorney, Butler Snow LLP, Huntsville, Alabama Speaker 1: Daniel Johnson , J.D., General Counsel, Florida Department of Corrections, Tallahassee, Florida Speaker 2: Dean Aufderheide , Ph.D., ABCP, Director of Mental Health, American Correctional Association, Alexandria, Virginia Speaker 3: Sammy-Jo Baker , J.D., Deputy General Counsel, Florida Department of Corrections, Tallahassee, Florida

112 — ACA 2025 Winter Conference | Orlando