2026 ACA Winter Conference Long Beach CA_Program Book

WORKSHOPS

Saturday, Feb. 7 ▼ 12:15–1:45 p.m.

University NSPARC to evaluate the alignment of historic Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections pre-release CTE programs with post-release occupational outcomes, as well as to assess historic economic impacts and returns-on-investment yielded from these programmatic efforts from CY 2020 through CY 2022. Speakers: Jessica Byrd , Director of Workforce Strategy, Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Timothy T. Reling , Ph.D., Assistant Research Professor, Mississippi State University NSPARC, Starkville, Mississippi; Robert Vehock , Program Manager, Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Baton Rouge, Louisiana Modernizing Risk Assessment Room 102 A TRACK: Safety & Security Overview: This workshop explores the evolution and modernization of risk assessment in corrections, from traditional psychometric tools to data-driven predictive modeling. Participants will examine limitations of legacy instruments, emerging algorithmic methods for assessing risks such as self-harm, violence and contraband and how these approaches enhance operational intelligence. The session

demonstrates how internal research capacity and modern analytics can improve safety, resource allocation and evidence-based decision-making across correctional systems. Speakers: Frank Benton , Data Scientist, Office of Strategic Initiatives and Modernization, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Huntsville, Texas; Wesley Thomas Smith , Deputy Director, Office of Strategic Initiatives and Modernization, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Huntsville, Texas Fueling Resilience: Battling Burnout in Corrections Staff Through Hope [CE] Room 103 B Primary Community of Focus: Adult Corrections Overview: Correctional staff face persistent exposure to stress, trauma and organizational pressures that increase vulnerability to burnout and attrition. While many wellness initiatives emphasize stress management techniques, the science of hope provides a powerful and practical framework for building resilience. This presentation will examine how hopeful thinking, grounded in setting meaningful goals, identifying pathways to overcome barriers, and sustaining motivation, can help correction professionals buffer against the negative effects of trauma and chronic stress. Participants will explore

ACA 2026 Winter Conference | Long Beach, CA — 109