2026 ACA Winter Conference Long Beach CA_Program Book

WORKSHOPS Friday, Feb. 6 ▼ 3–4:30 p.m.

How to Validate a Prison Classification: The Case Study of the Massachusetts Department of Corrections Room 101 B TRACK: Safety & Security Overview: Objective prison classification systems evaluate incarcerated persons’ custody requirements and assign them to appropriate security levels with the goal of reducing institutional misconduct. Yet, few state correctional systems have tested the accuracy of their tools in predicting institutional misconduct both overall and across classes of incarcerated persons. This workshop describes how the Massachusetts Department of Corrections responded to recommendations from a special legislative commission by collaborating with researchers and people with lived experience to apply gold-standard methods for testing predictive accuracy. The workshop will also discuss how overrides in classification decisions may conflict with tool accuracy. Speakers: James Austin , Ph.D., Founder, The JFA Institute, Washington, D.C.; Spencer G. Lawson , Assistant Professor, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts; Abbe E. Nelligan , Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Reentry, Massachusetts Department of Correction, Milford, Massachusetts; Gina M. Vincent , Ph.D., Professor, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts

FRIDAY, FEB. 6

3–4:30 P.M.

Finding Purpose Within the Walls: Reconnecting to the “Why” Behind Our Work Room 102 A TRACK: Staff Wellness/Organizational Culture Overview: Finding Purpose Within the Walls helps correctional staff reconnect with the deeper meaning of their work. This interactive workshop explores how purpose influences morale, resilience and professionalism in challenging environments. Through reflection and discussion, participants identify factors that lead to burnout, learn strategies to sustain motivation and discover ways to foster a positive, purpose-driven culture. The session equips staff with tools to strengthen personal fulfillment and enhance the overall effectiveness and humanity of correctional practices. Speakers: Ariel Burks , Senior Warden of the Wainright Unit, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Huntsville, Texas; L.E. Townsend , Deputy Director of Correctional Institutions Division, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Huntsville, Texas; Larissa Wysocki , Senior Warden of the McConnell Unit, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Huntsville, Texas

92 — ACA 2026 Winter Conference | Long Beach, CA