Corrections_Today_Winter_2025-2026_Vol.87_No.4

Winter 2025–2026 | Vol. 87, No. 4 Corrections Today THE AMERICAN CORRECTIONAL ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE Advance. Connect. Achieve.

Ethnic Identity | Juvenile Offender Rehabilitation | Leading Complex Jails

2025 E.R. CASS CEREMONY And 155 th Congress of Correction Recap p.52

MARCH IS #WOMENSHISTORYMONTH Call for article and photo submissions for the Spring issue of Corrections Today!

I n the month of March, Corrections Today is proud to celebrate the remarkable history, contributions, and stories of women in the field of corrections. We invite you to share photos and articles that highlight the unique experiences, challenges, and successes of women working within this essential sector, as well as initiatives that have advanced gender equity and inclusion in correctional institutions.

Your stories, perspectives, and visuals are vital in showcasing the profound impact of women in corrections. Whether through an inspiring article, a striking photograph, or a personal narrative, your submissions will help us craft a meaningful tribute that honors the legacy of women in corrections, recognizes their current achievements, and envisions a more inclusive future for all.

Submission Guidelines: – ARTICLES: Should be between 800-2,000 words. Please include a brief bio and a photo of the author(s) and any relevant affiliations. – PHOTOS: Submit high-resolution images (300 dpi or higher) with appropriate captions and credits. Include a brief description of the photo’s context and significance. – FORMAT: All submissions should be in MSWord format for articles, and JPEG format for photos (as individual attachments, not pasted into MSWord). – DEADLINE: Please submit your articles and photos by Dec. 15, 2026. – HOW TO SUBMIT: Email your submissions to submissions@aca.org with the subject line “Women's History Month”.

For questions or additional information, please contact Kirk Raymond, Director of Communications and

Publications, at (703) 224-0193.

Submit your #WomensHistoryMonth articles and photos by Dec. 15, 2026 to submissions@aca.org

Corrections Today Winter 2025-2026 | Vol. 87, No. 4 THE AMERICAN CORRECTIONAL ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Features

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Rehabilitating juvenile offenders in Pennsylvania A brief examination By Kristian J. Everly

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Through the fire Lessons from leading a complex jail By Crayman Harvey From the archives: Games criminals play Revisited By Randy Shively

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26 Ethnic identity, mental health and familial estrangement A clinical examination of rejection and identity displacement in Hispanic American youth By Dr. Joy Moseri, DBA, MA, LPC, CPCS, SAP, CACII, MAC

Submit your photos for consideration in Corrections Today magazine to Publications@aca.org, ATTN: CT Photos. Photo must be large, high quality (300 dpi) and JPEG format.

ACA’s 155 th Congress of Correction in Denver Recap p. 52

On the Cover: The cover photo features both past E.R. Cass Award recipients and the newly honored 2025 winners at the ACA 2025 Winter Conference in Denver, celebrating the legacy and ongoing excellence of those who have made lasting contributions to the correctional profession. Cover photo courtesy Lovestruck Images

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

News&Views

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From Rob’s Desk

EDITORIAL STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Robert L. Green, robg@aca.org MANAGING EDITOR Kirk Raymond, kraymond@aca.org GRAPHICS AND PRODUCTION STAFF GRAPHIC DESIGNER Carla DeCarlo, carlad@aca.org ADVERTISING AND MARKETING STAFF DIRECTOR, CONVENTIONS, ADVERTISING AND CORPORATE RELATIONS Kelli McAfee, kellim@aca.org DIRECTOR, SALES & MARKETING Da’Shawn Burnette, dashawnb@aca.org MULTIMEDIA DESIGNER Kierra Khan, kierrak@aca.org Robert L. Green, robg@aca.org CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Ben Nalette, CPA, benn@aca.org SENIOR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT India Vargas, indiav@aca.org COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR Kirk Raymond, kraymond@aca.org CONVENTIONS, ADVERTISING AND CORPORATE RELATIONS DIRECTOR Kelli McAfee, kellim@aca.org INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACTING DIRECTOR Ben Nalette, CPA, benn@aca.org INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES Robert L. Green, robg@aca.org MEMBERSHIP SERVICES & ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR Hester Zorn Serrano, hesterzs@aca.org OFFICE OF CORRECTIONAL HEALTH DIRECTOR Dr. Dean Aufderheide — Director of Mental Health, daufderheide@aca.org ACA EXECUTIVE OFFICE AND DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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Correctional Chaplain Perspectives

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View From the Line

22

Washington Watch/BBM

ACA Departments

48 52

ACA Benchmarks/New Members

Conventions, Advertising & Corportate Relations

88

Committees

100 110 114 118 120

C ommunications & Publications Office of Correctional Health Professional Development Standards & Accreditation

Corrections Calendar

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Dr. Valorie L. Sanders, LBBP, valories@aca.org SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR Da’Shawn Burnette, dashawnb@aca.org STANDARDS AND ACCREDITATION DIRECTOR David Haasenritter, davidh@aca.org

Statements contained in Corrections Today are the personal views of the authors and do not constitute ACA policy unless so indicated. ACA does not assume responsibility for the content of Corrections Today as submitted by contributors, reserves the right to edit all articles and, if necessary, condense them. The publication of any advertisement by ACA is neither an endorsement of the advertiser nor of the products or services advertised. ACA is not responsible for any claims made in advertisements. Printed in U.S.A. by Mt. Royal Printing, Baltimore, MD Vol. 87, No. 4. Copyright 2025 by the American Correctional Association

Winter 2025-2026 | Corrections Today

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INQUIRIES AND INFORMATION

ARTICLE AND PHOTO SUBMISSIONS: Managing Editor, 206 N. Washington St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314; email submissions@aca.org. Articles must be in Microsoft Word. Please include all contact information. Unless expressly requested in writing, all photos and artwork submitted become the property of ACA and may be used in future ACA publications. Articles and photos will not be returned unless expressly requested by author. ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Please direct all inquiries to DaShawn Burnette, Director of Sales & Marketing, at 703-224-0030 (Direct) or dashawnb@aca.org. MISSION STATEMENT: The American Correctional Association provides a professional organization for all individuals and groups, both public and private, that share a common goal of improving the justice system. Corrections Today (ISSN 0190-2563, USPS 019-640) is published four times a year in Summer (June/July/August), Fall (September/October/November), Winter (December/ January/February) and Spring (March/April/May) by the American Correctional Association, 206 N. Washington St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314; 703-224-0000. Vol. 87, No. 4. Copyright 2025 by the American Correctional Association POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Corrections Today , American Correctional Association, 206 N. Washington St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314. Periodicals rate postage is paid at Alexandria, VA 22314 and additional mailing offices. SUBSCRIPTION CHANGES: Subscriptions are included in annual membership dues. Nonmember subscription rates are $25 per year. You can join ACA or renew your subscription online at www. aca.org. Changes to your contact information and address can be updated through the membership portal at www.aca.org, via email at memberships@aca.org or by calling the Member Support Center at 703-224-0115 (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.– 5 p.m., EST).

AMERICAN CORRECTIONAL ASSOCIATION OFFICERS

PRESIDENT Ricky D. Dixon Florida IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Denise M. Robinson Ohio VICE PRESIDENT Bryan Collier Texas PRESIDENT-ELECT Tyrone Oliver Georgia

TREASURER Anthony O. Vann North Carolina BOARD OF GOVERNORS REPRESENTATIVES Marina Cadreche Florida Latera Davis Georgia SECRETARY Robert L. Green Maryland

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CHAPTERS AND AFFILIATES

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Association—Maryland Criminal Justice Association— Michigan Corrections Association—Middle Atlantic States Correctional Association—Missouri Corrections Association—National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice—National Association of Probation Executives—National Association of Adult and Juvenile State Corrections Mental Health Directors—National Correctional Industries Association Inc.—National Council on Crime and Delinquency—National Council of Juvenile Correctional Administrators— National Juvenile Detention Association—National Organization of Hispanics in Criminal Justice— Nebraska Correctional Association—New Jersey Chapter Association—New Mexico Criminal Justice Association—New York Corrections and Youth Services Association—North American Association of Wardens and Superintendents—North Carolina Correctional Association—Ohio Correctional and Court Services Association—Oklahoma Correctional Association— Parole and Probation Compact Administrators Association—Prison Fellowship—Salvation Army—South Carolina Correctional Association—Southern States Correctional Association—Texas Criminal Justice Association—Virginia Correctional Association— Volunteers of America Inc.—Washington Correctional Association—Wisconsin Correctional Association— Wyoming Correctional Association

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NEWS FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

From Rob’s Desk Sunny Long Beach shines as Winter Conference destination

A s we welcome a new year filled with promise and progress, the American Correctional Association is proud to convene our Winter Conference in the beautiful city of Long Beach, California. This gathering brings together correctional professionals, thought leaders and partners from across the nation and around the world to exchange ideas, share innovations and reaffirm our collective commitment to excellence in corrections. Long Beach, with its vibrant waterfront and balmy skies will serve as the perfect backdrop for this Winter Conference. Through out the event attendees will engage in robust training sessions, ac creditation hearings and workshops designed to strengthen every aspect of our profession and continue to build the “Story of Us”. Dynamic and informative speakers will be leading cutting-edge discussions on technology and AI development and outcomes, reentry, leader ship, staff wellness and workforce development. Beyond the sessions and exhib its, the ACA Winter Conference

Adobe Stock/Kit Leong

represents something even more powerful — community. It is a time to connect with colleagues, celebrate shared accomplishments and honor those who advance the mission of effective corrections. Together, we shape the future of our field by upholding professional standards, inspiring innovation and investing in the people who make a difference every day. I want to thank all of our members, partners, sponsors and the dedicated professionals who make this event possible. Your

commitment ensures ACA remains the trusted voice and guiding stan dard for corrections worldwide. I cannot wait to see you in Long Beach — but until then welcome to another remarkable edition of Corrections Today. CT

Sincerely,

Robert L. Green ACA Executive Director

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Statement of Ownership U.S. Postal Service STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, AND CIRCULATION (required by Section 3685, Title 39, United States Code), (1) Title of Publication: CORRECTIONS TODAY. (2) Publication No.: 019-640. (3) Date of Filing: September 30, 2025. (4) Frequency of Issue: 4 times per year. (5) No. of Issues Published Annually: 4. (6) Annual Subscription Price: $35 (7) and (8) Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication/Headquarters of Publisher: 206 N. Washington St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314. (9) Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher and Editor. Publisher: Robert Green Editor: Kirk Raymond. American Correctional Association, 206 N. Washington St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314. (10) Name and Complete Mailing Address of Owner: American Correctional Association, 206 N. Washington St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314. (11) Known Bondholders, Mortgages, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding One Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages or Other Securities: Sandy Springs Bank 17801 Georgia Ave. Olney, MD 20832. (12) The Purpose, Function, and Nonprofit Status of This Organization and the Exempt Status for Federal Income Tax Purposes: Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months. (13) Publication name: CORRECTIONS TODAY. (14) Issue date for circulation data: Fall 2025. (15) Extent and Nature of Circulation: Average No. of Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months and Actual No. of Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 5730 (a) Total Number of Copies (Net Press Run): 5730. (b) Paid and/or Requested Circulation: 5500 (1) Paid and/or requested mail subscriptions: 5500. (3) Other classes mailed through USPS: 0. (c) Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation (sum of (15b1) and (15b3): 0. (d3) Free Distribution by Mail (Samples; Complimentary; and other Free): 0. (d4) Free Distribution Outside the Mail (Carriers or Other Means): 0. (e) Total Free Distribution (sum of (15d3) and (15d4)): 0 (f) Total Distribution (sum of (15c) and (15e)): 5500. (g) Copies Not Distributed: 0. (h) Total (sum of (15f) and (15g)): 5500. (i) Percent Paid and/ or Requested Circulation (15c/15f x 100): 100 percent. (16) Electronic Copy Circulation Average No. of Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months and Actual No. of Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: (a) Paid Electronic Copies: 0. (b) Total Paid Print Copies Plus Paid Electronic Copies: 4849. (c) Total Print Distribution Plus Paid Electronic Copies: 4849. Percent Paid (Both Print and Electronic Copies: 100 percent. (17) This Statement of Ownership will be printed in the Winter 2025 issue of this publication. (18) I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete: Kirk Raymond, Director, Publications

BEST IN THE BUSINESS UPDATE: “Great things take time and this will be worth the wait!”

We know many of our readers have been eagerly anticipating our “Best in the Business” feature, which highlights outstanding professionals making a meaningful impact in their field. While we share your excitement, we want to provide a brief update on why this feature has been temporarily delayed. At the heart of this series is a commitment to excellence, accuracy and thoughtful storytelling. Each profile is carefully researched, written and reviewed to ensure it reflects the honoree’s achievements with the depth and respect they deserve. Due to scheduling conflicts, extended review timelines

and the need to coordinate with multiple contributors and departments, we’ve chosen to postpone publication to maintain the high standards our readers expect. We appreciate your patience and continued support. The next “Best in the Business” feature will be worth the wait — and we’re confident it will inspire, inform and celebrate the excellence that defines our community. Stay tuned for the upcoming release and thank you for being part of our journey to spotlight the very best. CT

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CORRECTIONAL CHAPLAIN PERSPECTIVES

Sing Sing’s 200 th anniversary 50 years of major changes in New York State By Sharon Griest Ballen, Dr. Hans Hallundbaek and Daniel F. Martuscello, III

In this article, we will discuss the early history of the NYS Carceral Sys tem, plus a Town Committee and a new Commissioner who are changing the course of carceral action. Early history N ewgate, the first New York State prison, operated from 1797 to 1828 in Greenwich Village in New York City, a solid mile southwest of where the Empire State Building was erected in 1930. Upon closing the prison in 1928, the inmates moved “up the river” 34 miles north to the new, and much larger Sing Sing correctional facil ity built high on the banks of the Hudson River in Ossining. From here, the incarcerated, looking south down the river, have a nostalgic view of the distant New York City skyline. Sing Sing prison was built in 1825, using the hard labor of about 100 prisoners transferred from the Auburn state prison. Auburn opened in 1817 close to the Canadian border to help relieve the overcrowd ing in Newgate prison in New York City. Auburn prison is historically

New York State Archives, Sing Sing Prison. Photographs of Sing Sing Prison, ca. 1920-1940. B1514-97, Box 1, photograph no. 19.

Three men posing outside a row of cells at Sing Sing Prison, circa 1920-1940.

significant in the United States for the “Auburn System” of incarcera tion, highlighting enforced silence, group lockstep, hard work and harsh punishment for rule-breaking. Head of the Sing Sing construc tion, and its first warden, was a

colorful former military- trained individual, Elam Lynds, who was a strict disciplinarian, and co developer of the Auburn System. Reportedly, he and all of his cor rectional staff constantly wore a whip and applied it liberally to the

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CORRECTIONAL CHAPLAIN PERSPECTIVES

incarcerated. Sing Sing’s first chap lain, Rev. Gerrish Barrett, joined the management staff in 1827. To soften the punitive treatment of the prison population, he offered inmate education and compassionate and spiritual consolation. His career in Sing Sing was short lived. The penal reform movement reached Sing Sing in 1914 when Thomas Mott Osborne, a prison reformer from Auburn, became warden of Sing Sing prison. Until 1901, female prisoners, about only five percent of the total prison population compared to men, were housed in different sections of male prisons. In 1901, the New York State Reformatory for Women opened at Bedford Hills, NY. The reformatory was part of the progres sive-era penal reform movement, which emphasized rehabilitation, moral reform and training over punishment. The first director of the reformatory was Katherine Bement Davis, a recognized social reformer and the first woman to lead a major correctional institution in the U.S. The New York State Reformatory is now the Bedford Hills and Taconic Correctional Facilities for Women. The penal reform movement reached Sing Sing in 1914 when Thomas Mott Osborne, a prison reformer from Auburn, became

Photo courtesy University of Warwick/The Library/Modern Records Centre Reformatory inmates involved in the construction of a stairway to the “upper campus” of the New York State Reformatory for Women at Bedford Hills, New York.

warden of Sing Sing prison. “Within Prison Walls”, is his book which best reflects his style of change by describing his voluntary six-day incarceration at Auburn prison under the alias of Tom Brown. This stint allowed him to experience the ordinary treatment of inmates, and earned him national recognition, as he resigned in 1916. An especially dark period in Sing Sing’s history is the era of the electric chair. From July 1891 until August 1963, a total of 614 people were exe cuted there. When adding executions at Clinton and Auburn correctional facilities, the total number of New

York executions added up to 695 and gave New York a foreboding image across the country. Some of that negative image changed when Hol lywood discovered Sing Sing in the early part of the 20 th Century and it became one of the first prisons to be used in popular movies about crime, punishment and justice.

Quiet before the storm

In the late 1960s, an almost forgotten development took place in neighboring Greenhaven Correction al Facility in Stormville, NY when the head of NY Prison Chaplains,

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Rev. Ed Muller, began meeting with a group of incarcerated men for self-reflection and mutual support. The group later became known as “Exodus”, drawing its name from the Biblical story of the Israelites journey from Egypt through the wil derness and towards the promised land. This journey was a metaphor for prison life and the preparation for release, while grounded in liberation and transformative concepts. In 1982 Rev. Muller, along with Bill Webber, President of the New York Theological Seminary, directed and launched a Master of Profes sional Studies (MPS) degree program for the incarcerated in Sing Sing, and eventually Bedford Hills prisons. Since its inception, this first-in the-country Master’s program in Theology has graduated more than 600 incarcerated men and women. A prison uprising In September of 1971, New York experienced one of the most sig nificant prison uprisings in U.S. history. Attica prison in upstate New York, with a population of about 2,000 men, took control of D-yard, seized 39 hostages, and issued a list of demands relat ing to overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, facility improvement, educational opportunities, fair visitation terms and political rights. After four days of stalled negotia tions, armed state troopers stormed the prison using tear gas and live ammunition. In the uprising, 29 inmates and 10 hostages died. The massacre became, at the time, a symbol of the national struggle for prison reform and civil rights.

Photo courtesy Nexus Creative Design

A model of the Sing Sing Prison Museum.

Expansion into darkness

their peak in 1999 with a total of 73,233 individuals behind bars, a quadrupling since 1960. At the turn of the millennium, New York, together with Florida and Califor nia, were the top three states in the country in terms of absolute num bers of incarcerated people. Not an enviable position for a state home to the Statute of Liberty. The 1990’s started as very tough years. Prisons were filled to capac ity, and in 1994 Congress passed the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act (VCCLEA), a pro vision of which revoked Pell Grant funding (for higher education) “to any individual who is incarcer ated in any federal or state penal institution.” Glimmer of hope towards the millenium

In the early 1970’s, President Richard Nixon officially declared a war on drugs, calling drug abuse “public enemy number one”. In the 1980s, the war on drugs shifted towards aggressive policing instead of treatment and prevention. Drug possession and distribution was criminalized, especially involv ing crack cocaine. The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 further added to the steadily growing stream of people entering prison from Black and Latino communities, where crack cocaine — and racism — were more prevalent. Existing prison facilities had to shift to double bunking in their six by nine-foot cells while many new prison facilities were built in the northern part of the state. Accord ing to NYS DOCCS statistics, New York incarceration levels reached

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CORRECTIONAL CHAPLAIN PERSPECTIVES

Beside the Osborne Asso ciation program of parenting and self-awareness, the Alternative to Violence Program (AVP) and several Bible study groups, the only higher education program left in New York State prison system was the MPS from New York Theological Semi nary. Halfway through the decade, a few sparks of light appeared. A new pre-college program, the Certificate in Ministry and Human Services Program, developed by MPS gradu ates and outside volunteers, opened in 1995. Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA), spearhead by an out side volunteer, Katherine Vockins and a group of creative incarcerated folks, started in 1996. Again, with the initiative of the incarcerated and outside volunteers, the Hudson Link College Program was created in direct response to the closing of the Pell Grants. Today, Hudson Link and RTA are under the dynamic leadership of former Sing Sing residents, Sean Pica and Jermaine Archer. Both programs operate in numerous NYS prisons. In the early nineties, media began casting critical lights on the rapid growth of the criminal legal system, as exemplified by Atlantic Magazine’s twenty-seven-page article, “The Prison Industrial Complex” by Eric Schlosser in 1998. The piece detailed how economic, racial and political interests had influenced and twisted incarceration policies. A new era unfolding Sing Sing, a maximum-security facility, had for decades included within its perimeter a medium-se curity section named Tappan. When

Tappan closed in 2003, hundreds of the incarcerated transferred to other medium security prisons in the lower New York region. Many of these people had benefitted from various educational programs in Sing Sing and quickly lobbied for similar programs in their new home facilities. Within a few years, programs of college, theater and creative arts, self-development and restorative justice spread through medium security prison in lower New York state like Fishkill, Eastern (medium-security annex), Wood bourne, Otisville, and Arthur Kill (now closed). While he understood society’s need for incarceration, Superintendent Fischer made sure those incarcerated under his watch had a fair chance for self-improvement during incarceration and gained tools to reenter society successfully upon release.

personification of a firm and pro gressive corrections administrator. While he understood society’s need for incarceration, Superintendent Fischer made sure those incarcerat ed under his watch had a fair chance for self-improvement during incar ceration and gained tools to reenter society successfully upon release. He was known to walk through the facility to meet and talk with the incarcerated. Promoted to New York State Commissioner in 2007, his firm but dignified treatment and care of the incarcerated is highly recognized in the New York correc tional system. Sing Sing Correctional Facility reaches its 200 th anniversary this year and is celebrated by the open ing of the Sing Sing Museum. This major effort has been under way for several years and their objective is to become a leading prison museum in the U.S. Assistance in reaching that goal is a $2.5 million dollar grant from the Lily Foundation. Sing Sing’s Museum Assistant Director Amy Hufnagel says, “The Sing Sing Museum envisions a justice system dedicated to healing and rehabilita tion and a correctional system that respects humanity and dignity for all.” This notion of a system that focuses on rehabilitation over retribution took another form when Hans Hallundbaek, the Director of Interfaith Prison Partnership at the time, initiated the idea of “Adopt a Prison”. As he said, “If a person can adopt a highway, why can a com munity not adopt its local prison?” He took the idea to the Town Su pervisor at the time, Chris Burdick. The September 2019 Adopt a

When Brian Fischer became superintendent at Sing Sing in 2000, the prison experienced a renaissance. With a background in social work, psychology and parole Superintendent Fischer became the

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Prison Program, hosted by Inter faith Prison Partnership, DOCCS, and the Town of Bedford (NY), was so enormously successful that this was clearly a community that recognized that many in cor rectional facilities, as IPP’s Board President, Elizabeth Friend-Ennis so eloquently says, “were failed by society long before they ever com mitted a crime”. As now NYS Assemblymember Burdick says,

Therapeutic Horsemanship program to provide weekly therapy sessions by bringing horses into the facilities. Speaking of paving the way, PRAC lobbied Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney for money for a sidewalk for the staff and visitors and that sidewalk is under construction as this article goes to print. The PRAC representatives for Woman2Woman and Rehabilitation Through the Arts have organized performers from Caramoor Center for the Arts and Music to come inside the facilities and put on concerts. These are just some of PRAC’s initiatives. None of this could have hap pened without the support of the Superintendents and DOCCS. As Emily Williams, Superintendent of Taconic Correctional Facility said,

PRAC is composed of seventeen representatives of different orga nizations involved in the carceral system. Both Superintendents of the Town’s two facilities attend every PRAC meeting, as does the NYS Commissioner, Dan Martuscello, and invited speakers, such as leaders in their fields and U.S. Congress people. Since its inception, PRAC has initiated 17 different initiatives that DOCCS has approved and are operating in both facilities. With Interfaith Prison Partnership (IPP), a member of PRAC, doing much of the boots-on-the-ground work, Care Packages for the December holidays, Mother’s Day packages, Release Bags for women going to homeless shelters, Children’s Activ ity Kits have all been donated by the community for their incarcer ated neighbors. Over 75,000 bars of soap have been collected for our neighbors. Houses of worship, com munity groups, women’s clubs have all been instrumental in providing these goods, as organized by IPP. PRAC has helped to initiate a trans gender support group for the trans population in both facilities. It has also paved the way for the Endeavor Since its inception, PRAC has initiated 17 different initiatives that DOCCS has approved and are operating in both facilities.

“When the idea of a Town adopting its local prisons was brought to me by Dr. Hallun dbaek, we reached out to the Superintendents of our two NYS women’s correctional fa cilities in our Town: Taconic and Bedford Hills. Both Su perintendents were on board. We hosted the first ‘Adopt a Prison’ event in our Town to a standing room-only crowd. It was then that I realized we needed to form a special committee to the Town Board to advise us on prison issues: the Prison Relations Advi sory Committee (PRAC). We appointed Sharon Ballen to lead it. Sharon has done an incredible job in taking the ball and running with it. It is amazing that in a short period of time, it has gained respect and admiration throughout the state. Com missioner Martuscello attends nearly every one of the Zoom meetings. That opportunity for candid and honest conver sations has helped the entire correctional system.”

“When the Commissioner

was giving me my formal orientation for my newly

appointed position of Superin tendent at Taconic, he told me about PRAC. I realized that PRAC had to be important if he made it part of my train ing. That mention of PRAC helped me to understand that I had a trustworthy community resource available to me. PRAC has proven to be an ongoing benefit to Taconic’s staff and population. PRAC has accepted us as neighbors, extending com passion and grace. Interactions underscore their goal of stand ing up for those whom society failed before the commission of their crime. We have partnered in common efforts to improve conditions and wellness for both groups here at Taconic.

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CORRECTIONAL CHAPLAIN PERSPECTIVES

Interacting in their meet ings, I witness PRAC working to keep their members in formed on legislative changes, criminal justice reforms and resources that impact incar cerated individuals and staff. Their community engagement increases residents’ and volun teer awareness surrounding our challenges and issues to foster greater understanding. Our partnership has strengthened me, my staff and the incarcerated population. I remain thankful for the relationship and look forward to future endeavors.”

Interfaith Prison Partnership, Sharon Griest Ballen, MSW, LCSW, of IPP and PRAC, and NYS Commissioner Dan Mar tuscello for their unwavering commitment to rehabilitation through these initiatives.”

It takes a community to heal a prison and it takes a prison to heal a community. As many of us know, when we heal others, we heal ourselves.

Interfaith Prison Partnership has started another initiative that brings the community together to honor the people who died while incarcer ated. IPP has worked closely with Deacon Cliff Calanni, the Coordinat ing Chaplain at Taconic Correctional Facility, to plan this program. As Deacon Calanni explains,

The Adopt-a-Prison concept and engaging a community through an organization like PRAC has taken root in six places in Africa, and two in Pakistan. As one of the coordi nators in Africa said, “It takes a community to heal a prison and it takes a prison to heal a community. As many of us know, when we heal others, we heal ourselves. People in all countries benefit by helping each other become the best version of ourselves. We have experienced that here, in Africa, in Pakistan. Frankly, given that 95% of people who enter prison eventually come out of prison, it is in our best interest that they come out prepared to get a job, be able to pay for a home, and get in volved in helping their community. We work to build that bridge.” Perhaps the NYS Commissioner of the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, Daniel F Martuscello III, said it best when he said,

“At the Taconic Correc tional Facility in Bedford Hills, NY lies a cemetery of men, women and children who died in prison and were not claimed by family or friends. Each year the community, comprised of many differ ent faith traditions, rallies together to commemorate all those who are buried at the cemetery. We conduct a solemn interfaith service followed by a special blessing of the gravesites, letting approxi mately 100 souls know that they are not forgotten. With the strong community support of PRAC (Prison Relations Advisory Committee), IPP (Interfaith Prison Partner ship) and local churches, the New York State Department of Corrections and Commu nity Supervision takes this Annual All Souls’ Day ser vice, and honoring these souls, very seriously.”

To our knowledge, The Town of Bedford is the only municipality in the country which has established a town committee to represent the issues related to correctional facili ties. As the current Supervisor of the Town of Bedford, Ellen Calves, has said, “Bedford is an Adopt a-Prison Town”. Furthering that sentiment, NYS Senator Shelley B. Mayer explains,

“The Adopt-a-Prison pro gram and the Prison Relations Advisory Committee (PRAC) are powerful examples of how meaningful change can occur when people experience a sense of community and purpose during their incarceration. I have seen firsthand how such partnerships between the com munity and people in prison offer meaningful and unique opportunities that can trans form lives. I commend Dr. Hans Hallundbaek, founder of the

“As Commissioner of DOCCS, I have had the privilege of witnessing the

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profound impact of the Adopt a-Prison Program and the Prison Relations Advisory Committee (PRAC). Pro grams like these demonstrate how working together toward a common goal can create meaningful outreach and safer communities. PRAC’s com mitment to bridging the gap between the incarcerated and the surrounding communities supports DOCCS’ mission to improve public safety by helping prepare individuals for a successful reentry into the community. By “adopting” our prisons, PRAC is fostering connections, reducing stigmas, supporting staff, and providing

resources to those who are often overlooked by those on the outside. This collaboration helps humanize incarceration and reminds those in our care that they are not forgotten. I am extremely proud of the work this program has accomplished, and I look forward to the con tinued positive impact it will have on the lives of our staff and of those we serve.”

Sharon Griest Ballen is the Director of Communications for the Interfaith Prison Partnership and serves as Chair of the Prison Relations Advisory Committee to the Town of Bedford. Dr. Hans Hallundbaek is the Founder and retired Director of the Interfaith Prison Partnership. Daniel F. Martuscello III serves as the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

And so our work continues, “fostering connections, reducing stigmas, supporting staff and pro viding resources to those who are often overlooked”, knowing that we can accomplish much more together than alone. CT

Happy Holidays The American Correctional Association extends holiday greetings to all members of the correctional profession and wishes you and your families all the best this holiday season. Happy Holidays! The American Correctional Association extends its warmest holiday greetings to the dedicated members of the correctional community. May this season bring you and your families peace, joy and renewal as we look ahead to a successful new year.

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Rethinking Suicide Prevention in Corrections “Suicide is a leading cause of death in jails and prisons.”

Suicide is a leading cause of death in jails and prisons. Often blamed on policy failures, system breakdowns, or inadequate assessments, they can result in costly and preventable litigation. To help you meet this complex challenge, our specialized experts in suicide prevention at ACA have developed a new and powerful tool for identifying the root causes of suicides in jails and prisons. ACA’s Correctional Root Cause Analysis (CRCA) for Suicide Prevention Programs in jails and prisons provides a sustainable approach for assessing the underlying and systemic factors impacting suicide risk. Your CRCA will: Creating a Culture of Safety

360° Analysis

Leadership

Treatment

Operations

Frontline

• Identify the causes of suicides in prisons and jails and determine which factors are root cause factors; • Examine the underlying reasons for suicides by using both qualitative and quantitative assessment techniques; • Produce a concise SWOT analysis for sustainable outcomes; • Deliver a succinct executive-level report. Our team of highly qualified mental health and security experts will complete your CRCA quickly and efficiently. No names are recorded. Everything is confidential. Facilities using CRCA have given us very positive feedback. If you are looking for a reliable solution for a sustainable suicide prevention program in your facilities, please contact us for information about how you can have us deliver a Correctional Root Cause Analysis (CRCA) for your jail or prison’s suicide prevention program.

CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION: Director, Correctional Mental Health, Dr. Dean Aufderheide (703) 980-8564 Director, Office of Correctional Health, Terri Catlett (703) 224-0048

Reference: https://www.statista.com/chart/28290/suicide-rates-in-us-jails prisons-and-general-public/

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VIEW FROM THE LINE

Why correctional facilities should reject e-cigarette commissary programs

By Jessica Young, Dr. William Dennis and Dr. Melanie Stroda

R ecent advocacy efforts suggest that selling e-cigarettes in jails can reduce violence, pro mote harm reduction, and generate revenue. However, these proposals overlook critical concerns related to safety, addiction, contraband, and institutional ethics. This paper argues against implementing vape sales in correctional facilities and proposes a more evidence-based alternative: supervised nicotine replacement ther apies (NRTs) and behavioral support that prioritize long-term recovery over short-term pacification. Introduction As of 2025, several correctional systems have introduced or expand ed vaping access for incarcerated individuals, often citing reduced ag gression and increased commissary revenue. Articles such as “Get Vapes in Prisons” (Kirkpatrick, 2024) and “The Undeniable Benefits of Allow ing Vaping in Jails” (Caruana, 2024) argue from a harm reduction ap proach. Yet these claims often fail to consider the broader health, safety, and security implications for vulner able populations in custody.

Vaping sustains chemical dependency Vapes sustain addic tion rather than treat it. While marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, e-cigarettes are not benign. The long-term health effects remain under investiga tion, though e-cigarettes have been linked to cases of “popcorn lung,” an

irreversible disease that makes breathing difficult (ALA Editorial Staff, 2016). E-liquids may contain volatile organic compounds, heavy met als, and other addictive substances harmful to respiratory health (lpert et al, 2016, Hess, et al., 2018, Re, et al., 2021). Correctional populations have high rates of substance use dis orders and co-occurring mental illness. Replacing one form of chemical dependence with another fails to support long-term recovery (Lippert, et al. 2024, Barufaldi, et al., 2021, Kreski, et al. 2023). Incar cerated individuals need access to

Adobe Stock/Hazem

evidence-based cessation services, not retail vapes. Structured cessa tion programs with FDA-approved NRTs (like patches or lozenges— gum is not generally recommended as it can pose a security issue when jammed into locks or used to obscure cameras) offer a more ac countable path forward (U.S. Food & Drug Administration, 2022). Vapes pose security issues E-cigarettes can be tampered with to conceal illicit substances

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– Nicotine therapy during COVID-19 reduced hospital mortality for some smokers (Hollenback, 2022) – Emerging research links nicotine lozenges to reduced inflammation and cognitive benefit without the harms of inhaled delivery (Letsinger, et al., 2023) These findings support the expansion of medically guided NRT programs in correctional settings, not continued exposure to addic tive chemicals present in electronic cigarettes. Recommendations Rather than promote e-cigarette sales in commissaries, correctional systems should: – Expand nicotine replacement therapy options through health services. – Invest in behavioral health staffing to address stress, with drawal, and coping strategies. – Build peer-support cessation programs that reinforce per sonal recovery goals. – Prohibit vape devices and accessories as potential contra band and fire hazards. Conclusion Allowing vapes in correctional settings may seem like a practical compromise, but the long-term implications are troubling. These devices extend dependency, intro duce health and security threats, and open the door to ethical con flicts that undermine the mission

(Breitbarth, 2018). Their hollow cartridges and heating elements provide opportunities for smuggling and unauthorized drug use. Beyond tampering, they can cause damage to facilities. In 2023, U.K. prisons recorded more than 2,200 fires sparked by e-cigarette devices (Bet & Barun, 2023). The growth of vape sales in jails raises concerns about monetizing addiction. In Kentucky, investiga tive reporting revealed that sheriffs, jailers, and vape suppliers received direct payments tied to e-cigarette sales (Dunlop & Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting, 2020). This introduces a conflict of interest, where institutional stability may be leveraged to justify addiction-based revenue streams. Ethical correction al healthcare should remain centered on patient outcomes, not profits. More secure alternatives exist Nicotine lozenges, patches, and gum are FDA-approved and avail able under clinical supervision (U.S. Food & Drug Administration, 2022). Studies suggest that nicotine alone is not highly addictive, but that the tobacco additives and combustion accelerants present in vapes may be the catalyst for addiction. Behavioral dependence on cigarettes or vapes is often driven by ritual and rapid chemical delivery, not nicotine in isolation: – Nicotine alone does not cause addiction without chemical ad ditives (Alpert et al, 2016) Profit incentives threaten ethical governance

of rehabilitation and public health. The true path to harm reduction in jails is not vaping; it is treating addiction. CT REFERENCES ALA Editorial Staff. (2016). Popcorn lung: A dangerous risk of flavored e-cigarettes. American Lung Association . https://www.lung.org/blog/ popcorn-lung-risk-ecigs Alpert, H. R., Agaku, I. T., & Connolly, G. N. (2016). A study of pyrazines in cigarettes and how additives might be used to enhance tobacco addiction. Tobacco control, 25(4), 444–450. https://doi.org/10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2014 051943 Barufaldi, L. A., Guerra, R. L., de Albuquerque, R. D. C. R., Nascimento, A., Chança, R. D., de Souza, M. C., de Almeida, L. M. (2021). Risk of smoking relapse with the use of electronic cigarettes: A systematic review with meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Tobacco Prevention & Cessation, 7 , 29. https://doi. org/10.18332/tpc/132964 Bet, M. & Barun, R. (2024). Jail vape blazes: Vapes starting record number of fires in Britain’s ‘overcrowded’ prisons, shock stats show. The Sun . https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/28802585/ vapes-fires-britain-overcrowded-prisons/ Breitbarth, A., Morgan, J., & Jones, A. (2018). E-cigarettes—An unintended illicit drug delivery system. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 191 , 98-111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.07.031 Caruana, D. (2024). The unden able benefits of allowing vaping in jails. VapingPost . https://www. vapingpost.com/2024/10/13/the-undeniable benefits-of-allowing-vaping-in-jails/ Dunlop, R. & Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting. (2020). How these jail officials profit from selling e-cigarettes to inmates. ProPublica . https://www.propublica.org/article/how-these jail-officials-profit-from-selling-e-cigarettes-to inmates Hess, C. A., Olmedo, P., Navas-Acien, A., Goessler, W., Cohen, J. E., & Rule, A. M. (2017). E-cigarettes as a source of toxic and potentially carcinogenic metals. Environmental Research , 152 , 221–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. envres.2016.09.026 Hollenback, C. (2022). Nicotine patch, lozenge, or gum during COVID-19 hospitalization may reduce mortality for those who smoke. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention . https://ctri. →

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wisc.edu/2022/08/30/nicotine-patch-lozenge or-gum-during-covid-19-hospitalization-may reduce-mortality-for-those-who-smoke Kirkpatrick, J. (2024). Time for a concerted push to get vapes in all prisons. Filter Magazine . https://filtermag.org/get-vapes-in-prisons Kreski, N. T., Ankrum, H., Cerdá, M., Chen, Q., Hasin, D., Martins, S. S., … Keyes, K. M. (2023). Nicotine Vaping and Co-occurring Substance Use Among Adolescents in the United States from 2017–2019. Substance Use & Misuse , 58 (9), 1075–1079. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2 023.2188462 Letsinger, A. C., Ward, J. M., Fannin, R. D., Mahapatra, D., Bridge, M. F., Sills, R. C., Gerrish, K. E., & Yakel, J. L. (2023). Nicotine exposure decreases likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 RNA expression and neuropathology in the hACE2 mouse brain but not moribundity. Scientific Reports , 13 (1), 2042. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-29118-6 Lippert, A., Corsi, D., Kim, R., Wedow, R., Kim, J., Taddess, B. Subramanian, S. (2024). Polygenic and socioeconomic contributions to

nicotine use and cardiometabolic health in early mid-life. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 26 (12), 1616-1625. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntae146 N.a. (2025). Nicotine alone does not lead to addiction: Additives found in both light cigarettes and e-cigs harmful. Medical Daily. https://www.medicaldaily.com/nicotine-alone does-not-lead-addiction-additives-found-both light-cigarettes-and-e-337470 Re, D. B., Hilpert, M., Saglimbeni, B., Strait, M., Ilievski, V., Coady, M., Talayero, M., Wilmsen, K., Chesnais, H., Balac, O., Glabonjat, R. A., Slavkovich, V., Yan, B., Graziano, J., Navas-Acien, A., & Kleiman, N. J. (2021). Exposure to e-cigarette aerosol over two months induces accumulation of neurotoxic metals and alteration of essential metals in mouse brain. Environmental Research , 202 , 111557. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.111557 U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2022). Want to quit smoking? FDA-Approved and FDA-cleared cessation products can help. FDA . https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer updates/want-quit-smoking-fda-approved-and fda-cleared-cessation-products-can-help

Dr. Melanie Stroda has over a decade of experience in correctional medicine and has served as a site practitioner for over 40 jails across the United States. Dr. William Dennis is a respected physician with 26 years of clinical experience and former EMS Director for the U.S. Navy. care and law, and serves as CEO of the nation’s largest jail contract management company. Jessica Young is a distinguished legal professional with over 20 years in correctional health

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For more information, or to submit a photo, email inquiries to submissions@aca.org.

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