Corrections_Today_Spring_2026_Vol.88_No.1

STANDARDS & ACCREDITATION

Commission on Accreditation for Corrections awards

By David Haasenritter

T he American Correctional Association recognizes corrections professionals through various awards including the E.R. Cass Correctional Achieve ment Award, the highest award given by the American Correctional Association. The Commission on Accredita tion for Corrections presents three awards during each American Correctional Association Congress of Correction for excellence in the auditing and accreditation field. The three awards are the Walter Dunbar Award, the Keohane Award and the Innovation at an Accredited Facility Corrections Award. The Walter Dunbar Award The Walter Dunbar Award is the highest award presented by the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections. It is awarded to an individual or group for significant contributions and commitment to the auditing and accreditation process. The award recognizes their superior contributions, profession alism and commitment to enhancing the quality of correctional facilities and services. In August 2025, Thomas Stick rath was awarded the Walter Dunbar

award for his contributions to the Ohio Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Ohio Depart ment of Youth Services, American Correctional Association Standards Committee, the Commission on Ac creditation for Corrections and his various work with other organiza tions seeking his assistance in the accreditation process. The Commission on Accreditation for Corrections presents three awards during each American Correctional Association Congress of Correction for excellence in the auditing and accreditation field. Previous winners include Peter Grande (Adult), Richard Stadler (Adult), Lannette Linthicum (Adult and Health Care), Denise Robin son (Community Corrections) and Charles Kehoe (Juvenile). There are many professionals in the corrections field who have made significant contributions to the auditing and accreditation process.

If you would like to submit some one for this award, contact David Haasenritter at davidh@aca.org. The deadline for nominations for the Walter Dunbar Award is June 1, 2026. The Keohane Award The Keohane Award (previously known as the Auditor of the Year Award) is awarded to an auditor for significant contributions and commitment to the auditing and accreditation process and contribu tions to the field of corrections. The award is named in honor of Tim Keohane, a longtime out standing American Correctional Association chairperson/auditor who died while on an American Cor rectional Association Audit. In August 2025, Lorena Singer was awarded the Keohane Award for her contributions as an auditor for American and International audits. During a training in Mexico, accredi tation managers commented on how she was thorough in her audits but also was a teacher. Previous winners include Patrick Firman and Marilyn “Lynn” McAu ley. There are many professionals conducting American Correctional Association audits who have made

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