Corrections_Today_Winter_2024-2025_Vol.86_No.4

Resolutions and Policies (continued)

a written statement specifically explaining substantial reasons neces sitating the placement is prepared.

Professionalism is achieved through structured programs addressing recruitment and enhance ment of the employee’s skills, knowledge and understanding of the corrections process. Policy Statement: Correctional staffs are the primary agents for promoting safety and security, as well as the health, welfare and rehabilitation of offenders within correctional facilities and community supervision programs. They directly interact with pre-adjudicated and adjudicated offenders and are the principal catalysts of change in the cor rectional process. The education, recruitment, orientation, supervision, compensation, training, retention and advancement of correctional staff must receive full support from the executive, judi cial and legislative branches of government. A. Recruit personnel in an open, unbiased and accountable manner to ensure equal employment opportunity for all qualified applicants regardless of gender, age, race, disability, religion, ethnic background, veteran status or political affiliation, and actively promote the employment of a diverse and multi-lingual workforce; B. Screen applicants for job-related aspects of physical suitability, personal adjust ment, emotional stability, dependability, appropriate educational level, and experi ence. An additional requisite is the ability to relate to pre-adjudicated or adjudicated persons in a manner that is fair and humane; C. Select, retain and promote staff in ac cordance with valid job-related criteria that emphasize merit and technical competence. Voluntary transfers and pro motions within and between correctional systems should be encouraged; Correctional agencies should:

F. Support the evaluation and refinement of classification systems and assessment processes by corrections professionals to ensure the appropriate placement of offenders in the specialized facilities or units for youthful offenders under the age of majority, based on risks and needs; sideration of fiscal and correctional impact-assessment statements before the enactment of legislation that leads to the confinement of youths under the age of majority in adult correctional facilities; and H. Support the adoption of legislative, fiscal, regulatory and other mechanisms that will ensure that adequate resources are allocated for the specialized facilities and/ or units developed for youthful offend ers who cannot safely and effectively be handled by existing juvenile correctional/ detention facilities. G. Support the preparation and con

154 TH CONGRESS OF CORRECTION This Public Correctional Policy was ratified by the American Correctional Association Delegate As sembly at the Winter Conference in Nashville, TN on January 20, 1999. It was last reviewed and amended at the Congress of Correction in Nashville, TN on August 18, 2024.

PUBLIC CORRECTIONAL POLICY ON STAFF RECRUITMENT, RETENTION AND DEVELOPMENT 1984-5 Introduction: Knowledgeable, highly skilled, motivated and professional personnel are essential to effec tively fulfill the role and mission of corrections.

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