Corrections_Today_Summer_2025_Vol.87_No.2

Resolutions and Policies (continued)

PUBLIC CORRECTIONAL POLICY ON VIOLENCE REDUCTION 1996-2 Introduction: Violence in society is a major concern for the public and for those working in the criminal and juvenile justice systems, as it impacts community safety, the safe and secure operation of correc tional facilities, the rehabilitation of individuals in custody, and their successful reintegration into society. Policy Statement: Correctional agencies including institutions, community corrections and juvenile justice hold a pivotal role in promoting public safety by actively contributing to violence reduction and preven tion. Through direct engagement with individuals in their care and collaboration in the development and implementation of evidence-based violence prevention strategies, corrections professionals are uniquely positioned to mitigate the factors contributing to violent behavior and support safer communities. Specifically, correctional agencies should:

E. Support a long-term crime reduction strategy that draws on interdisciplinary research and addresses the risk factors contributing to violent criminal behav ior in a comprehensive and integrated manner, including providing employ ment opportunities, strengthening families, building strong neighborhoods, increasing community involvement and enhancing the quality of education and other social institutions; F. Build partnerships that improve com munication and collaboration and share technologies, information and intelligence among the key stakeholders in the crimi nal and juvenile justice systems, elected officials and the community to combat violence; G. Collect, validate and share accurate information to support data-informed decision-making, enabling effective strategies for violence reduction and prevention. This Public Correctional Policy was ratified by the American Correctional Association Delegate Assem bly at the Congress of Correction in 1996. It was last reviewed and reaffirmed at the Winter Conference in Orlando, FL on January 14, 2025. PUBLIC CORRECTIONAL POLICY ON RELIGIOUS AND FAITH PRACTICE 1990-3 Introduction: Correctional facilities play a crucial role in supporting the diverse religious beliefs and practices of those in their care. While fostering opportunities for faith expression, these facili ties must equally respect the rights of individuals who choose not to participate in religious activi ties. The protection of religious freedom and its exercise is upheld by various governmental and

2025 WINTER CONFERENCE A. Train staff to recognize those risk factors that contribute to violent behavior and to utilize effective intervention strategies to reduce violence;

B. Design and implement effective risk and needs assessments identifying placement into appropriate classification and treat ment programs; C. Provide a continuum of evidence-based, trauma-informed interventions to those assessed to have risk of future violence; D. Integrate conflict resolution methods into institutional and community treatment programs that demonstrate these skills as alternatives to violent behavior;

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