2026 ACA 156th Congress of Correction Pittsburgh_Program Book

WORKSHOPS

Saturday, Aug. 1 ▼ 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Correction, Columbus, Ohio; Jessica Smith , Parole Officer, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Dayton, Ohio Prison Blues as a Brand Blueprint: Helping Incarcerated Individuals Build Financial Stability by Creating Work Programs for the Mainstream Market Room 316 Primary Community of Focus: Adult Corrections Overview: This presentation is going to highlight the positive impact of Reentry, Workforce Development and Entry to Employment within Correctional Industries. We will feature Oregon Corrections Enterprises’ unique opportunity to elevate its mission from correctional industry to workforce development engine. By strategically aligning Prison Blues, structured vocational training, and the Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program (PIECP), OCE is positioning itself as a national model for second-chance economic integration. We will discuss how to attract mission-aligned employer partners, expand PIECP participation and increase post-release employment outcomes. This presentation will include the details of shifting correctional industries into public view through intentional brand positioning and digital storytelling, demonstrating how to create a positive impact on incarcerated

together to break down “us vs. them” dynamics. This workshop will detail these initiatives and describe how interested agencies can launch similar.

Speakers: Randall A. Liberty , Commissioner, Maine Department of

Corrections, Augusta, Maine; Christopher Poulos , Executive Director, Center for Justice and Human Dignity, Olympia, Washington Ohio’s Strategy to Supervise the Most Violent Offenders Room 310 Primary Community of Focus: Community Corrections Overview: Ohio realized we had a gap in identifying supervisees who are most likely to violently reoffend. This presentation will provide information pertaining to identifying violent offenders and how they are managed very differently while on post-release control. You will hear about the research, the construction of our violence predictor trailer tool, statewide implementation and hear about case-level examples from a Parole Officer who supervises this dangerous population. Moderator: Jason Nespeca , Regional Administrator, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Akron, Ohio Speakers: Jessica Dennis , Superintendent, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and

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