Corrections_Today_Spring_2025_Vol.87_No.1

News&Views

ACA PRESIDENT’S CORNER

Ricky D. Dixon ACA 109 th President New ACA President Ricky Dixon outlines his goals at Winter Conference

R icky Dixon, the newly Association gave a speech at the Winter Conference in Orlando, FL outlining his goals for his Presiden cy of the association. First, Dixon thanked former President Denise Robinson, who he described as “providing exemplary leadership during her tenure”. He also lauded Robinson’s efforts to “modernize our strategic plan” and “emphasizing continuity of care and operations — a priority I intend to uphold.” He continued by giving thanks for his career achievements “to my team from Florida and my family for their unwavering support. The sacrifices made by my wife, Marsha, our three children, and our grand children are deeply appreciated.” Moving to the heart of his ad dress Dixon said “I would like to use my time this morning to re spectfully challenge our collective way of thinking as it relates to our profession.” sworn-in 109 th President of the American Correctional

Labeling deterrence as “an important function of our work,” Dixon went on to say “ We should hope the punishment fits the crime and is significant enough to deter most individuals from committing criminal activity.” Finally Dixon lauded the “focus we have as an association on reentry and rehabilitation.” “We know that when we get it right, not only do we change lives, but we positively impact our communities and society by reducing future victimization,” he concluded. He then laid out several goals for his time as ACA president, including: – Continuing our focus on

Describing how different philoso phies of correction have changed over time, Dixon called for cor rections professionals to “... be so grounded in our corrections philoso phy and have such an understanding of the purposes of corrections that we influence decision makers more than we are influenced by them.” Laying out what these compet ing priorities are Dixon explained: “Retribution, Incapacitation, Deter rence, and Rehabilitation are still the defined purposes of corrections and the reason for our existence as corrections professionals.” Taking them in turn, Dixon ex plained retribution and its key role in corrections while saying “This function of our profession that our officers and staff carry out is just as honorable as our rehabilitative work and we should not apologize for it.” Regarding incapacitation, he pointed out that “Society is safe from them during the time they are in our custody. This is honorable work as well that our staff should be recognized for.”

reentry, rehabilitation and providing second chances. – Honoring the work of corrections professionals, especially those in uniform. – Ensuring we remember the victims of crime and their perspectives. CT

Corrections Today | Spring 2025

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