2026 ACA 156th Congress of Correction Pittsburgh_Program Book

SATURDAY, AUG. 1

8–9 A.M.

Brain Injury in Corrections: Prevalence, Cognitive Challenges, and System Implications Room: 320 Primary Community of Focus: Adult Corrections Overview: Brain injury is highly prevalent but frequently unrecognized among justice-involved individuals, contributing to cognitive, behavioral, and reentry challenges that increase recidivism risk. This workshop presents preliminary findings from a large-scale randomized controlled trial of Neuro Resource Facilitation (NRF), a brain injury-informed case management approach delivered pre- and post-release. Participants will explore the impact of undiagnosed brain injury, review practical screening approaches, and examine strategies for integrating cognitive support into correctional and reentry systems. Emphasis will be placed on real world implementation, cross-system collaboration, and promising scalable practices that improve outcomes and public safety. Learning Objectives: • Participants will be able to identify the prevalence and impact of brain injury among justice-involved individuals and its relationship to behavior and recidivism. • Participants will be able to describe practical approaches to screening for brain injury and incorporating brain injury-informed strategies into correctional and reentry practices. outcomes for individuals with brain injury transitioning from incarceration to the community. Moderator: MJ Schmidt , Training & Outreach Coordinator, Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania, Hatboro, Pennsylvania; Speakers: MJ Schmidt , Training & Outreach Coordinator, Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania, Hatboro, Pennsylvania; • Participants will be able to apply system-level strategies to improve coordination, continuity of care, and

Brian Schneider , Director of Psychology, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Emerging Trends in Correctional Healthcare [CME|CEU|CERP] Room: 321 Primary Community of Focus: Healthcare, Clinical Overview: Given the scale of mass incarceration in the United States and high burden of disease among incarcerated individuals, many clinicians face daunting challenges in providing challenges in providing care that is expected of them. Guidelines evolve based on new evidence and it is difficult for providers to stay abreast of those challenges. Physicians in correctional settings frequently manage aging incarcerated patients with complex multi-drug regimens but lack current knowledge of evidence-based polypharmacy risk stratification and deprescribing protocols. The workshop will discuss those guidelines that are helpful in the management of their patients. Best expected practices that are practical will be discussed with references to justify the evidence in the management of diseases. Participants will learn the trends that is directly related to patient management. Clinical guidelines will be presented that is unique to the

WORKSHOPS Saturday, Aug. 1 ▼ 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

correctional environment. Learning Objectives:

• Identify prevalence and clinical risks of polypharmacy among aging incarcerated populations. • Apply evidence-based deprescribing

128 — ACA 156 th Congress of Correction | Pittsburgh