Corrections_Today_Summer_2025_Vol.87_No.2

Award Winners

Bravery and service honored in Orlando T he American Correctional Association recognized the outstanding work performed by its members with special recognition during the General Session of the 2025 Winter Conference in Orlando, Florida. The Peter P. Lejins award was given to a distinguished researcher whose work has had a major impact on the world of corrections and criminal justice, Andrew Barbee. Andrew Barbee is the Director of Strategic Initiatives and Mod ernization at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). As part of his current position, Barbee has developed a pioneering self-harm assessment tool utilizing machine learning. The Innovations in Corrections Award is presented to a jurisdiction which has created a new and successful program intervention. The Award is designed to highlight the work done at the state or local level that can be replicated across the country. This year’s Innovations in Corrections Award was given to the Florida Department of Corrections for

The Peter P. Lejins Research Award was given to Andrew Barbee, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Modernization at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ).

2025 WINTER CONFERENCE its Mobile Probation Units. Introduced in Sep tember 2022, the Mobile Probation Units program brings probation services directly to the commu nity. Vehicles were fitted with necessary equipment to replicate a probation office. These vehicles were then stationed at predetermined community loca tions in coordination with local stakeholders such as law enforcement agencies, treatment providers and other community organizations.

The Innovation in Corrections Award went to the Florida Department of Corrections for its Mobile Probation Units.

The American Correctional Association’s Com munity Service Award is designed to recognize an ACA chapter or affiliate that has made significant contributions in community service. The 2025 Community Service Award went to the Florida Department of Corrections Lancaster Correc tional Institution. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, FDC Region II sent multiple institutional

The Community Service Award was presented to the Florida Department of Corrections Lancaster Correctional Institution.

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