Corrections Section

Mission Statement: The purpose of the Corrections Section is to bring together academy members who have a particular interest in corrections, to facilitate and encourage research and theory development related to corrections, to encourage appropriate and effective teaching techniques and practices for corrections courses, to serve as a resource network for and encourage interaction among academic, research, practitioner and policy-making sectors in order to further knowledge about corrections, and to encourage the organization of corrections-related conference activities.

Section News: While the Executive Board is usually busy throughout the year, the Section conducts most of its business at the annual meeting of ACJS each year. Upcoming meetings will be in Dallas (2013), Philadelphia (2014), and Orlando (2015). We hope to see you there!

During the annual meeting, the Section identifies panels, roundtables, and other events that may be of interest to Section members. These events usually are of particular importance to the practice, teaching, or study of corrections.

The Section-sponsored annual breakfast meeting has proven extremely popular and beneficial. Each year at this gathering, we have a distinguished keynote speaker who has taught, practiced, or published in the area of corrections. The 2012 keynote speaker was Michael Jacobson, President and Executive Director of the Vera Institute (2012). Previous keynote speakers have included: Sonya Spencer, Executive Director of St. Leonard's Society of Toronto and President-Elect of the International Community Corrections Association (2011); Dr. Daren Dalton, Director of Programs, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (2010). In addition, we value our members and the contributions they have made to the field and acknowledge the work they have done. The Section awards an outstanding member annually. The 2012 award recipient was Jacqueline Helfgott of Seattle University. Additionally, this year provided an opportunity to acknowledge the work of another scholar and member who personifies the spirit of John Howard - Rosemary Gido, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and editor of The Prison Journal.

The Corrections Section would also like to acknowledge and congratulate Craig Hemmens - Missouri State University as the 2012-2013 President of ACJS. We look forward to Craig's leadership over the next year and a successful conference in Dallas where the Academy will celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Membership: Any current member of ACJS is welcomed as a new member! Also, we actively seek student members who are studying corrections at the undergraduate or graduate level and provide travel scholarships to interested students. If you know of a student who would benefit from meeting and networking with scholars in the corrections field, please encourage them to become a member. Student participation is vital to our growth and the continued research in the field! Section dues are only $15 for regular members and $10 for students.

We have a small, but growing membership and we always are looking for ways to recruit new members who are interested in becoming active participants. Any organization is only as good as its members, and we think that we have some of the most talented teachers, scholars, practitioners, and professionals in the field.

To join the section, current ACJS members should contact Cathy Barth, Association Manager, at manager@acjs.org; non-members of ACJS can join ACJS and the section online or by following the instructions available on the Membership page of the ACJS website at: http://www.acjs.org/pubs/167_671_2920.cfm

Also, you can find us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/10150102025865597/
Or simply search in Facebook under Corrections Section.

Member Benefits: Our section website and email list serve as a clearinghouse for information and an exchange of ideas, questions, and helpful strategies for practical application, research, and teaching tips among section members.

Your dues along with your RSVP provide you the opportunity to attend the annual social gathering and general business meeting held at the ACJS annual conference.

We have a biannual newsletter, Corrections Now, in which members can submit materials for publication, including short articles, notices of events, or member updates. It is a very interesting and informative benefit of membership!

A more recent benefit to our members is a 30% discount on subscriptions to The Prison Journal provided by Sage Publications.

Please join us! We look forward to having YOU as a member!

Section Awards:
Outstanding Student Travel Award - Colby Valentine, Florida State University (2012)
In 2011, the section began awarding the Outstanding Student Travel Award. Students presenting papers at the ACJS annual conference are encouraged to submit their papers to the Awards committee for consideration for receipt of the travel scholarship.

Outstanding Member Award - Jacqueline Helfgott, Seattle University (2012)
Criteria for nomination for the Outstanding Member award are: 1) membership in and preferably contribution to the ACJS Corrections Section; and 2) significant research and/or scholarship in the field of corrections. Winners will receive a $100 cash award,a plaque of recognition, and will be honored at the annual Corrections Section Award meeting. Self-nominations are allowed and encouraged.

Past award recipients include:
Faith Lutz, Washington State University
Kathy Johnson, University of West Florida
Mary Stohr, Missouri State University
Craig Hemmens, Missouri State University

John Howard Award - Rosemary Gido, Indiana University of Pennsylvania (2012)
The John Howard Award is given intermittently, upon significant demand, to recognize an individual who has made significant and sustained contributions to the practice of corrections. The nominee MUST have made significant contributions to practice, but also can have made significant contributions in scholarship, teaching, policy, or service. Nominators can make the argument that a nominee's scholarship or work in teaching, policy, or service DID make a significant contribution to practice. This is encouraged. Nominations are accepted every year and the committee will seriously consider all nominees. However, the awarding of this honor is solely at the Committee's discretion and may not be awarded each year. Nominees should send a description of the nominee's contributions, explaining how the nominee meets or exceeds the criteria, along with a copy of the nominee's CV to the Chair of the Awards Committee.

Past award recipients:
Ken Kerle, Managing Editor of American Jail Association's magazine, American Jails (YEAR). Ken is an experienced Jail Management Consultant, with a noteworthy record of accomplishment in detecting and analyzing management problems in jails, sheriffs' departments, and criminal justice agencies.

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