2026 ACA Winter Conference Long Beach CA_Program Book

implemented local strategies, this session will outline a vision for a national ACA committee dedicated to human resources and staff development challenges in corrections. This new collaborative body would unite correctional leaders and subject matter experts to tackle workforce issues and build a more resilient correctional workforce. Speakers: Heather Stanford , Assistant Commissioner, Human Resources & Staff Development, Tennessee Department of Corrections, Nashville, Tennessee; Kristen Luttrell , Deputy Assistant Commissioner, HR & Staff Development, Tennessee Department of Corrections, Nashville, Tennessee Avoiding Failure to Appear Starts at Booking Room 102 C TRACK: Operations Overview: Redesigning jail and court communications using behavioral science helps people understand their obligations, remember court dates and show up to court – reducing Failure to Appear (FTA) rates by up to 36%. Jails and Sheriff’s Departments can play a pivotal role by improving release forms, bond forms, and citations, and collecting cell phone numbers at booking that can then be used to send court date reminders. In this session, the (Un) Warranted team and Harris County Sheriff’s Department will share their real-world experience making these changes, which have boosted appearance rates and saved valuable time, resources and money that were previously wasted on booking, processing and housing people for avoidable FTAs. Speakers: Phillip Bosquez , Assistant Chief, Harris County, Texas Sheriff’s Office, Houston, Texas; Jessica Smith , JMS Applications Manager, Harris County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office, Houston, Texas; Anne Stotler , Principal Behavioral Designer, (Un)warranted, ideas42, San Francisco, California

WORKSHOPS Thursday, Feb. 5 ▼ 1–2:30 p.m.

Chief of Staff — The Strategic Partner for the Correctional Executive Room 101 A TRACK: Organizational Management Overview: Behind every successful correctional leader stands a trusted advisor - the Chief of Staff. But what exactly does this pivotal role entail, and why is it essential to the modern correctional organization? Join us for this dynamic workshop as we explore the evolving role of the Chief of Staff within correctional systems - from managing priorities and aligning strategic goals, to bridging communication across departments and driving operational excellence. Speakers: Timothy S. Fitzgerald , Chief of Staff, Florida Department of Corrections, Tallahassee, Florida; Whitney Ascuena-Bolt , Chief of Staff, Idaho Department of Corrections, Boise, Idaho; Mark Inch , Former Secretary, Florida Department of Corrections, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

76 — ACA 2026 Winter Conference | Long Beach, CA