2026 ACA 156th Congress of Correction Pittsburgh_Program Book

models can improve institutional culture, increase program engagement, and support long-term reentry success. Participants will learn how the Virginia Department of Corrections recruits, trains and supports incarcerated individuals and probationers to serve as mentors, facilitators and behavioral role models. Presenters will showcase program outcomes, lessons learned and replicable strategies for corrections agencies seeking evidence-informed methods to strengthen rehabilitation, reduce recidivism and foster safer environments for staff and residents alike. Moderator: Carrie West , Strategic Interventions Coordinator, Virginia Department of Corrections, Richmond, Virginia Speaker: Whitney Barton , Strategic Interventions Administrator, Virginia Department of Corrections, Richmond, Virginia How to Know What You Don’t Know: The Necessity of an Effective Risk-Based Internal Audit Process to Agency and Facility Leadership Room 315 Primary Community of Focus: Adult Corrections Overview: The importance of a comprehensive, risk-based operational audit process is essential to the effective management of correctional systems and facilities. Specifically, a customized internal audit process that focuses on policy, procedural and regulatory compliance in critical risk areas is foundational to successful agency leadership and facility leaders under their purview. This workshop methodically examines the strategic development and implementation of effective internal audit programs at the agency and facility level. The necessity of tailored audit processes that incorporate agency leadership priorities and accurately assess and predict operational risk is presented by highly experienced leaders at the agency and facility levels.

WORKSHOPS

Saturday, Aug. 1 ▼ 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Moderator: Donald Murray , Special Advisor to the Chief Administrative Officer, CoreCivic, Nashville, Tennessee Speakers: Stephen Hargraves , Deputy General Counsel, Vice President, Governance, Transactions and Assurance, CoreCivic, Nashville, Tennessee; Gregory Leech , Managing Director, Quality Assurance & Internal Audit, CoreCivic, Nashville, Tennessee; Daren Swenson , Executive Vice President and Chief Corrections and Reentry Officer, CoreCivic, Nashville, Tennessee K2 and other Illicit Synthetic Drugs [CME|CEU|CERP] Room: 321 Primary Community of Focus: Healthcare, Clinical Overview: This presentation will review the impact of synthetic drugs in the correctional setting, including K2, Kava (7OH), fentanyl analogues, nitazenes, and other emerging substances. The session will examine each agent, associated clinical effects, and treatment considerations within correctional environments. Individuals in correctional settings are increasingly exposed to emerging synthetic

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