Corrections Today articles from April 2004

Corrections Today archives from April 2004

The foundation of re-entry.(Guest Editorial)
April 1, 2004... Politicians at both the state and federal levels, in an effort to be perceived as tough on crime, passed mandatory-minimum sentencing guidelines, and three-strikes, and truth-in-sentencing laws. These measures, along with the criminalization of...

Correctional programming: a value-added service.(Commentary)
April 1, 2004... During tough economic times, it can be difficult to persuade budget planners, legislators, wardens and average citizens to support, much less expand prison-based programs. It is especially challenging when setting out to further increase...

Profile.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The science of corrections has evolved tremendously during the past decade. Today, leadership in corrections requires skill and education in the care, rehabilitation, discipline and, ultimately, the return of offenders to society. That is why...

Working with both offenders and victims to elicit change.(Best in the Business)(New Castle Youth Development Center)
April 1, 2004... Nicholas Pihiou does not show up to work every morning just to clock in eight hours--he hopes to make a difference. As supervisor of the Juvenile Sex Offender Program at New Castle Youth Development Center in Pennsylvania, Pihiou seeks to...

Journal entries in Hawaii are a success.(State News)(Project Bridge)
April 1, 2004... For the past few years, Hawaii has been trying a new way to help released inmates get on and remain on the right path. The program is called Project Bridge, which is for inmates who have successfully completed serious drug abuse treatment...

HMO in Kentucky saves 40 percent.(State News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Kentucky's prison inmates have their own HMO, and it is saving the state about 40 percent on the fees paid to doctors and hospitals for providing care, officials said. The Lexington Herald-Leader reported that in addition to saving the state...

Certification: making a statement.(Professional Development Update)(Certified Corrections Professional)
April 1, 2004... On Jan. 10, 70 people were gathered in a large room in the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Orleans. They were from all over the country and represented both genders and many races. They ran the gamut in terms of age, height and other personal and...

Voice Response Translators: comparing three units.(Technology Update)
April 1, 2004... Consider the dynamics a police officer must weigh when responding to a call. What is the nature of the call? Who are the participants? What steps must be taken to reach resolution? Now consider another dynamic officers are encountering with...

Substance abuse treatment is effective.(National News Briefs)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... A recent study shows that, within criminal justice settings, treatment for substance abuse may not only reduce reincarceration rates, but may also be cost-effective. This conclusion, published in the Journal of Quantitative Criminology, was...

Court will examine executions of juveniles.(National News Briefs)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Supreme Court earlier this year announced that it will determine whether the Constitution allows the executions of killers who commit their crimes before they are 18, a practice the high court allowed in a ruling more than 15 years ago,...

Deputy corrections administrator: Southwest Multi-County Correction Center Dickinson, N.D.(Job Bank)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Southwest Multi-County Correction Center (SWMCCC) is seeking to hire a deputy corrections administrator. It is an exciting opportunity for an individual to join a progressive correctional facility with a strong track record for its...

Deputy director: Dallas County Juvenile Department, probation services Dallas.(Job Bank)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Closing Date: May 18, 2004 Starting Salary Range: $59,081 to $70,897. Responsible for administration of the intake, court and field probation divisions of the Dallas County Juvenile Department. Management scope: Six direct reports,...

Project manager: the G-S Company Baltimore.(Job Bank)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Growing detention contractor seeks project manager for detention projects at our Baltimore location. Company offers excellent compensation and benefits package, including bonus, pension, medical, dental and pharmacy insurance. Duties will...

Presidential support is a start but still not enough.(Legislative Issues)
April 1, 2004... Each year, Americans eagerly look to the president to provide a report on the nation's state of affairs. The tradition of the State of the Union address, which is required by the U.S. Constitution (and until the advent of mass media, was...

Supreme Court rules restrictions on prison visitation are constitutional.(Judicial News)
April 1, 2004... Prison visits can result in much good, but also much harm. On the one hand, visits with family, friends and loved ones promote inmates' good conduct and rehabilitation. On the other hand, prison visitation raises a host of security concerns,...

NIC partnership with U.S. probation: making a difference for federal offenders in the Eastern District of Missouri.(NIC Update)
April 1, 2004... Addressing the employment issues of offenders is imperative to reducing recidivism. National statistics show that 78 percent of federal offenders who returned to prison were unemployed. It is evident that strategies to help offenders return to...

ACA holds another successful winter conference.(Conference Overview)(American Correctional Association)
April 1, 2004... More than 3,000 corrections professionals from across the country and the world convened in New Orleans for the American Correctional Association's 2004 Winter Conference Jan. 10-14 to discuss "Corrections From A to Z." Attendees had 63...

Mfume urges a partnership between ACA and the NAACP.(Opening Session)(American Correctional Association)(National Association for the Advancement of Colored People)
April 1, 2004... Kweisi Mfume, president and chief executive officer of the NAACP, gave the keynote address during the Opening Session on Monday morning, in which he emphasized the need for society to work more pro-actively to prevent youths and young adults...

Dergham urges peace among Arabs, Americans.(Annual Luncheon)
April 1, 2004... Both Americans and Arabs must take responsibility and make changes to ensure that the United States wins the continuing war on terrorism and achieves peace, declared Raghida Dergham, senior diplomatic correspondent for London-based Al Hayat and...

Guantanamo Bay mission described during Closing Breakfast.(Closing Breakfast)
April 1, 2004... During the Closing Breakfast, Maj. Gen. Geoffrey D. Miller described to conference attendees the vital role the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, plays in the global war on terror. The mission of the task force, which includes...

Several individuals honored.(New Orleans Conference Recap)(Winter Conference Awards)
April 1, 2004... Jan. 10-14, 2004 Winter Conference Awards During the 2004 Winter Conference, the American Correctional Association presented six awards, which honored individuals who have demonstrated their dedication to the corrections field. ...

Promoting collaboration between corrections and public health.(New Orleans Conference Recap)
April 1, 2004... Jan. 10-14, 2004 Webcast Developing a partnership between corrections and public health, which would ease the increasing health care burden on corrections, as well as help provide continuity of care to offenders and positively impact...

Monday Night Exhibit Hall reception: "Cajun Night in New Orleans.".(2004 Winter Conference Recap New Orleans, Louisiana)
April 1, 2004... Attendees and exhibitors enjoyed Cajun cuisine in the Exhibit Hall Monday evening as they participated in some savory excitement during ACA's 2004 Winter Conference Monday Night Event--"Cajun Night in New Orleans." Attendees sampled the gumbo...

Tuesday Morning Exhibit Hall specialty break: Bourbon Street Bash.(2004 Winter Conference Recap New Orleans, Louisiana)
April 1, 2004... Attendees and exhibitors mingled and interacted with colleagues in the Exhibit Hall as ACA paid tribute to Mardi Gras during its Tuesday Morning Event--"Bourbon Street Bash." Attendees reveled in the festivities, collected beads and...

Grand Prize Giveaway Game recap.(2004 Winter Conference Recap New Orleans, Louisiana)
April 1, 2004... A deafening silence filled the Exhibit Hall Tuesday afternoon, January 13, during the ACA's Grand Prize Giveaway Game, the long-awaited, crowd-pleasing event of the 2004 Winter Conference. Hundreds of attendees held their breath, each one...

ACA wishes to thank its Sponsors of the 2004 Winter Conference for a week of memorable events!(2004 Winter Conference Recap New Orleans, Louisiana)(American Correctional Association)
April 1, 2004... Hundreds of corrections professionals arrived in New Orleans for an educational and funfilled experience during the American Correctional Association's 2004 Winter Conference and to reflect on its theme "Corrections From A to Z." Sponsors...

ACA policies and resolutions.(New Orleans Conference Recap)(American Correctional Association)
April 1, 2004... Jan. 10-14, 2004 Policies and Resolutions Editor's Note: The following policy was ratified during the American Correctional Association Winter Conference on Jan. 14 by the ACA Delegate Assembly. Public Correctional Policy On...

What works with at-risk youths.(CT Feature)
April 1, 2004... "If I didn't find YouthBuild, I would either be dead or locked up now." --James Turner 2002 Isles YouthBuild graduate, Trenton, N.J. Each year, thousands of low-income youths, who either have not completed high school or who...

A story of transformation.
April 1, 2004... When I was growing up, my father used drugs and my mother was an alcoholic. I was the last of six children, so they basically made sure I had clothes on my back, food and things of that nature. But on the streets, when I was getting in trouble,...

Building the bridge from community corrections to community education programs.(CT Feature)
April 1, 2004... Shane, whose parents are both deaf, was born with normal hearing. As a child, sign language became his first language. Although his mother shared books with him, the spoken language did not become a reality for him until he went to...

Pound puppies: the rehabilitative uses of dogs in correctional facilities.(CT Feature)
April 1, 2004... A person is awakened by a small puppy eagerly waiting for its master to get out of bed and play. The person does not mind being awakened earlier than he had planned and rises with no complaint, seeing that it is impossible to resist the...

Words Travel: a model family-strengthening and literacy program.(CT Feature)
April 1, 2004... Last year, when Chris, a Washington state prison inmate, hoisted his 5-year-old daughter Chanell onto his lap and read her a story, the walls and barbed wire fences that separate their lives seemed to fall away. It was not always so easy for...

Understanding and responding: to the needs of parole violators.(CT Feature)
April 1, 2004... According to national statistics, the number of offenders reincarcerated for violating parole increased more than sevenfold during the past two decades. (1) [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In 1980, state prisons admitted approximately 27,000...

Overcoming the obstacles in effective correctional instruction.(CT Feature)
April 1, 2004... The public is increasingly aware of the mounting research demonstrating that the right type of correctional programming lowers the number of inmates returning to prison by 25 percent to 30 percent. (1) These reductions provide a taxpayer return...

Investing in education~changing futures.(CT Feature)
April 1, 2004... Nothing is more important to the future of New Jersey than making quality education available to all, including offenders. As a result, education is a major part of the total correctional experience in the state, which focuses on changing the...

Iowa's dual diagnosis offender program.
April 1, 2004... Established in 1976, the First Judicial District Department of Correctional Services in Iowa is a community-based correctional agency serving an 11-county area in northeast Iowa. It provides services to include pretrial, presentence...

Habitat for Humanity recognizes ACA for its support.(American Correctional Association)
April 1, 2004... At the 2001 Winter Conference in Nashville, Tenn., ACA held its first ever silent auction to benefit Habitat for Humanity International. This partnership continues today with the association having donated more than $20,000 to the organization....

Strategies: to improve offender outcomes in treatment.
April 1, 2004... Is drug treatment effective? Research studies consistently show that drug-dependent offenders in drug treatment programs have reduced drug use, reduced criminal behavior and increased employment. Essentially, participation in drug treatment...

Drug treatment: the Willard option.
April 1, 2004... If there was an easy answer to drug addiction, everyone would use it. Since the evolution of the 1960s, the nation has been faced with the ever increasing use of illegal drugs in society. Of course, this also corresponds with the increase of...

Food for thoughout: the role of nutrients in reducing aggression, violence and criminal behavior.
April 1, 2004... Almost nightly, there are numerous news stories of violent acts, as well as television and movie depictions of violence. One can see the devastating effects of violence on individuals, victims and perpetrators alike, as well as their families...

Collaboration between clinicians & custody staff benefits the entire prison.
April 1, 2004... Due to the large number of inmates who have mental health disorders, clinicians are often asked to provide custody staff an overview of mental health issues. When that happens, it is the trainer's responsibility to give a presentation that is...

Rewarding excellence: ACA Awards recognize exceptional commitment.
April 1, 2004... Each year at the American Correctional Association's (ACA) Winter Conference, four distinguished awards are presented to honor outstanding corrections professionals. The awards, presented by the president, honor exemplary leadership and service...

2005 Exemplary Offender Program Award.
April 1, 2004... At the 126th Congress of Correction in Nashville, Tenn., ACA established an exciting honor, the Exemplary Offender Program Award, to be given to a deserving program serving adult or juvenile offenders. The purpose of this award is to broaden...

Welcome new members.(Membership News)(American Correctional Association)
April 1, 2004... ORGANIZATIONAL ARMED SERVICES -- U.S. Army Confinement Facility Europe COLORADO -- Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility ILLINOIS -- Department of Corrections LOUISIANA -- Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center ...

134th Congress of Correction: Chicago, Illinois * July 31-August 5, 2004.
April 1, 2004... J. C. WATTS Opening Session Keynote Speaker Monday, August 2, 2004 * 8:15 a.m.-10:00 a.m. J.C. Watts, former U.S. Congressman and football hero, will be the keynote speaker at the American Correctional Association's 134th Congress of...

Tentative major session schedule.(134th Congress of Correction)
April 1, 2004... SUNDAY, AUGUST 1, 2004 * 12:30 P.M.-4:30 P.M. NICA-1 CORRECTIONAL LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES FOR THE 21ST CENTURY The nature of the corrections environment has changed significantly in recent years. The technological revolution,...

Family Auxiliary Program and Tour.(134th Congress of Correction)
April 1, 2004... ACA's 134th Congress of Correction provides a variety of activities the whole family can enjoy. Family members of registered Congress attendees are cordially invited to experience the big-city life of Chicago, Illinois and join us for our...

Hotel reservation information.(134th Congress of Correction)
April 1, 2004... Attendees of the American Correctional Association's 134th Congress of Correction in Chicago, Illinois can make their hotel reservations online, by telephone, fax or mail by June 24, 2004. ACA wants your conference experience to be a pleasant...

E.R. Cass Award Recipients and Banquet Sponsors.(134th Congress of Correction)
April 1, 2004... Wednesday, August 4, 2004*7:30 p.m. Since 1963, the American Correctional Association has presented the E.R. Cass Correctional Achievement Award to outstanding criminal justice and correctional professionals who have made their contribution...

Justice Policy Center senior fellow receives Mead Award.(Probation and Parole Forum)
April 1, 2004... At the International Community Corrections Association's annual conference, held in Indianapolis Nov. 8-12, 2003, the prestigious Margaret Mead Award was given to Jeremy Travis, who is a senior fellow with the Justice Policy Center at the Urban...

Corrections calendar.(Correction Notice)
April 1, 2004... * Mental Health in Corrections Consortium, 2004 Symposium, "Mental Health Training for the Correctional Environment: Research, Practice, Results," April 19-21, Marriott Country Club Plaza, Kansas City, Mo. Contact Becky Moyer at 1-800-424-7793;...

2004 ACA election--candidates.
April 1, 2004... This year's slate of candidates was selected by ACA's Nominating Committee during its meeting Oct. 22, 2003. Candidates were chosen for president-elect, vice president and treasurer positions, along with a full slate of nominees to the Board of...