Corrections_Today_Summer_2024_Vol.86_No.2

EXECUTIVE OFFICE

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PAST PRESIDENT’S CORNER

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Past President’s Corner Tony Parker, ACA’s 107 th President, 2020–2022

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About Tony Parker Tony Parker served as the 107 th President of the American Correctional Association from 2020-2022. He was Commis sioner of the Tennessee Department of Corrections from 2016-2021. Before being named Commissioner, Parker served as Assistant Commissioner, Correctional Administrator and Warden, among other roles. Parker earned an associate degree in criminal justice from Dyersburg State Community College in 1993 while working for TDOC, a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 1995 and a master of arts degree in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California in 2013.

The true mission of corrections What is it and why should we care? By Tony Parker I am confident the average citi zen does not consider the true mission of corrections. Those correctional system. It’s a topic that best fits the big screen or some real ity show that provides little truth about correctional work and more importantly, provides no clarity

and the programs used inside their walls and fences, is reserved for those who know someone involved in the correction system or those who work in this setting. I’ve always said, “Corrections is not personal with people, until it is personal.” Many citizens have no interest in the

who have contemplated the topic, probably felt the issue was some thing they had very little interest in exploring. I get it! Most people have never been involved with the

regarding the true mission of correc tions. For most citizens, having an interest in prisons or jail operations

Corrections Today | Summer 2024

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