2026 ACA 156th Congress of Correction Pittsburgh_Program Book

Speakers: Dr. Rowlanda Cawthon , Managing Principal, Rowlanda Cawthon & Associates, LLC, Federal Way, Washington, D.C.; Belinda Stewart , National Program Advisor, National Institute of Corrections, Washington, D.C.

individuals and the community. OCE will share success stories, their digital techniques and the audience will have an opportunity to share feedback on how Correctional Industries can have a greater impact on the incarcerated individuals and the community. Moderator: Amy Pataluna , Executive Director, National Correctional Industries Association, Halethorpe, Maryland Speakers: Melanie Doolin , Administrator, Oregon Corrections Enterprises, Salem, Oregon; Joseph Spicer , General Manager, Sales & Marketing, Oregon Corrections Enterprises, Salem, Oregon Talking to the Press: Why Our Story Matters Room 318 Primary Community of Focus: Prisons & Jails Overview: This workshop examines the key responsibilities of Public Information Officers (PIOs) and communication administrators, while providing insight into how the press operates and shapes public perception. Emphasizing the power of storytelling, participants will learn how correctional agencies can proactively share their narratives to build transparency, trust, and credibility. Participants will also gain practical techniques for translating complex or sensitive information into clear, compelling messages. By the end, participants will be better prepared to represent their organizations effectively and ensure their stories are communicated with accuracy and impact Moderator: Sarah Davis , National Program Advisor, National Institute of Corrections, Washington, D.C.

SATURDAY, AUG. 1 10:45–11:30 A.M.

Above & Beyond Compliance Monitoring: Ohio’s Progressive Efforts at Transforming Conventional Juvenile Parole Supervision & Reentry Initiatives. Room 319 Primary Community of Focus: Ohio Department of Youth Services, Reentry & Parole/Juvenile Justice, Reentry Strategies, Community Partnerships, Parole Innovation Overview: Traditional juvenile parole supervision models have tended to focus on compliance monitoring, completion of required court orders and punitive process implementation for any deficiencies. For juvenile justice professionals, the hurdles of reentry—from a lack of reliable transportation to shortages of purposeful collaboration with community resources—are well known and often lead to diminished outcomes for youth. To break this cycle, the Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS) is fundamentally shifting its parole philosophy to act as “social service agents” in the community rather than traditional law enforcement. This presentation explores Ohio’s comprehensive transformation of the parole and reentry system. Participants will learn how DYS is moving away from a fragmented release process to a seamless journey of support by establishing innovative pre-release planning, leveraging technology to remove barriers and forging high-impact community partnerships. Moderator: Ohio Department of Youth Services Staff Speakers: Michael Garrett , Deputy Director CBIS, Ohio Department of Youth Services, Columbus, Ohio; Bruce Graham , Bureau Chief of Juvenile Parole, Ohio Department of Youth Services, Columbus, Ohio

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

140 — ACA 156 th Congress of Correction | Pittsburgh