Corrections Today articles from August 2005

Corrections Today archives from August 2005

Incarceration as a failed policy.(Editorial)
August 1, 2005... Executive Director's Note: In an effort to see other points of view concerning corrections, our profession and public policy involving criminal justice, from time to time, I invite others to use space in this editorial column. This month's...

Improving corrections through legislation.(Commentary)
August 1, 2005... Corrections professionals have long grappled with the issues raised for discussion in this edition of Corrections Today. In the Commonwealth of Virginia, looking back on almost three years as director of the Virginia Department of Juvenile...

ISI Detention Contracting Group Inc.(Profile)(Company Profile)
August 1, 2005... ISI Detention Contracting Group Inc. (ISI) is one of the nation's leading detention equipment contractors. Established in 1976, ISI has since been designing, supplying, installing and offering architectural assistance for detention equipment...

The Second Chance Act of 2005.(Legislative Issues)
August 1, 2005... On April 20, Reps. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Danny Davis, D-Ill., joined with 27 of their colleagues to introduce the House version of the Second Chance Act of 2005, HR 1704. The purpose of the Second Chance Act is to reduce recidivism, increase...

Breaking the silence.(BEST IN THE BUSINESS)(parole officers crack shooting case)
August 1, 2005... In a dangerous Chicago neighborhood, two police officers are almost killed when someone opens fire on their squad car, filling the vehicle with bullets. The unprovoked shooting prompts an investigation to pinpoint a perpetrator. A parolee who...

Tenn. prisons combat contraband cell phones.(State News)(Tennessee)
August 1, 2005... More than 200 cell phones have been seized during the past two years in Tennessee prisons, Department of Corrections officials report. Roughly 75 others had been destroyed by prison officials before that. According to The Tennessean, officials...

Louisiana makes plans to tackle recidivism.(State News)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Richard Stalder, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, made a vow to work with the 15,000 inmates leaving prisons each year to ensure that fewer return to the system, reported The Times-Picayune. Department...

Foreign languages no longer banned in Wisc.(State News)(Wisconsin Department of Corrections)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Citing security concerns, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections banned foreign language activities earlier this year, but reversed its decision after realizing that measure would have banned religious services in Spanish and other foreign...

Initial accreditation preparation: a layperson's guide to optimizing the potential for success.(Accreditation Byline)
August 1, 2005... As contemporary corrections professionals continue to face difficult and trying times with acquiring and managing resources, it is increasingly important to limit the stressors that coincide with it. For agencies embarking on the accreditation...

High court allows inmate access to religion.(National News Briefs)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The Supreme Court unanimously upheld a federal law that requires state prisons to give inmates access to religious programs, ruling in favor of a Satanist, a radical separatist and other followers of nontraditional religions, reported USA...

DOJ plans a national sex offender registry.(National News Briefs)(Department of Justice)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The Justice Department has announced plans for a national registry of sex offenders that would allow Internet users to check all the state databases in a single search, The Washington Post reported. Officials said the Web site is being created...

Two positions.(Job Bank)
August 1, 2005... Orange County Corrections Department Orange County, Fla. With Orange County Corrections, you can secure your future and build your career with the very best--the finest law enforcement, correctional and civilian staff in the nation....

ACA courses ease transition from officer to supervisor.(American Correctional Association)
August 1, 2005... One of the most difficult career moves is going from the rank and file to management; you must now supervise the individuals who were recently your peers. How do you make this challenging transition? Supervision courses offered by the American...

The Corrections Certification Program improves further with specialty areas.(Professional Development Update)
August 1, 2005... A question the American Correctional Association's certification staff is often asked is: "Why so many specialty exam areas; aren't you 'watering down' the certification process?" These types of questions with regard to the specialty...

ICCA's roundtable examines reentry and community corrections.(Probation and Parole Forum)(International Community Corrections Association)
August 1, 2005... In his 2004 State of the Union address, President Bush raised the interest in inmate reentry to a new level of intensity when he stated that "America is the land of second chance, and when the gates of the prison open, the path ahead should...

Managing inmate behavior in jails.(NIC Update)
August 1, 2005... The Jails Division of the National Institute of Corrections now offers a new training program titled Inmate Behavior Management, which focuses on the elements of a comprehensive plan to manage inmate behavior in jails. It is a 44-hour program...

L-3 Communications Security and Detection Systems Inc.(Private Sector News)(appointments)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... L-3 Communications Security and Detection Systems Inc. has announced that it has filled five key management positions both in its U.S. headquarters and its European operations. The changes took place at the end of February and included the...

Dewberry.(Private Sector News)(Perry P. Sgrignoli appointed)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Dewberry, a leading civil, structural and construction engineering/inspection firm, has welcomed Perry P. Sgrignoli, PLS as chief of surveys in the Carlisle, Pa., office. Sgrignoli's 25 years of professional surveying experience has included...

Corrections Corporation of America.(Private Sector News)(Ray Hodge appointed)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), has announced the addition of Ray Hodge, senior director, local customer relations to its business development department. Hodge comes to CCA from the Florida Farm Bureau where he served as the national...

GE Infrastructure.(Private Sector News)(Edwards Systems Technology acquisition)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... GE Infrastructure, a unit of General Electric Co., has announced that it has completed its acquisition of Edwards Systems Technology, the fire detections systems business of SPX Corp. "GE Infrastructure is rapidly becoming the premier security...

Save time--save money--gain national recognition.(American Correctional Association accreditation)
August 1, 2005... For more than 125 years, ACA has championed the cause of correctional effectiveness. ACA has worked with every type of correctional facility to meet constitutional requirements and compliance with standards. Why accredit your health...

Bask in the summer air while enjoying Baltimore's Inner Harbor.(135th Congress of Correction)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Known for its landmark attractions such as the Inner Harbor and Fort McHenry, Baltimore, often referred to as "Charm City," is the host city for the 135th Congress of Correction, August 6-11, 2005, at the Baltimore Convention Center. For six...

Opening Session Keynote Speaker: Cal Ripken Jr.(135th Congress of Correction)(Biography)
August 1, 2005... Monday, August 8, 2005 8:15 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Baltimore Convention Center Baseball great Cal Ripken Jr., of the Baltimore Orioles, is the keynote speaker at the 135th Congress of Correction Opening Session. Hundreds of attendees...

Program of events: "building alliances for a stronger voice in corrections".(135th Congress of Correction)
August 1, 2005... The following is a complete listing of the sessions, workshops and major events of the 135th Congress of Correction. Be sure to check your Program Book and Exhibit Guide at the Congress for the room locations and complete descriptions for all...

Our audiovisual sponsors will send out messages that are bright, loud and clear during the 135th Congress of Correction.
August 1, 2005... Attendees will experience razor-sharp images and crisp, invigorating sounds throughout the Congress week, with state-of-the-art sound and video equipment, compliments of our audiovisual sponsors, Pinnacle Electronic Systems, Inc. and Turner...

Read all the news at the 135th Congress of Correction in Baltimore in the Congress Daily newspaper!(The GEO Group Inc.)(Company Profile)
August 1, 2005... The Congress Daily newspaper will keep attendees informed of current events and social activities during the 135th Congress of Correction. ACA thanks The GEO Group, Inc., for helping attendees stay on top of the news with this fine publication....

Correctional Facility Tours.(135th Congress of Correction)
August 1, 2005... Tuesday, August 9, 2005 * 1:15 p.m.-6:00 p.m. The American Correctional Association invites attendees of the 135th Congress of Correction to observe what happens daily in various correctional facilities in Maryland during ACA's Correctional...

Monday Night Exhibit Hall Reception: "Summer Block Party".(135th Congress of Correction)
August 1, 2005... Monday, August 8, 2005 * 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Baltimore Convention Center, Exhibit Hall Attendees are invited into the Exhibit Hall for an evening of socializing and fun as we celebrate life in the multicultural city of Baltimore during...

Tuesday Morning Exhibit Hall Break: "Take Me Out to the Ballgame".(135th Congress of Correction)
August 1, 2005... Tuesday, August 9, 2005 * 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Baltimore Convention Center, Exhibit Hall The fun and excitement of baseball is coming to the Exhibit Hall. Join us as ACA pays tribute to the great American pastime during the Tuesday...

E.R. Cass Correctional Award reception.(135th Congress of Correction)
August 1, 2005... Wednesday, August 10, 2005 * 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Renaissance Harborplace by Marriott, Maryland Ballroom Foyer The American Correctional Association (ACA) will celebrate the remarkable achievements and extraordinary accomplishments of...

E. R. Cass Award Banquet--Entertainment.(135th Congress of Correction)
August 1, 2005... Wednesday, August 10, 2005 7:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Renaissance Harborplace by Marriott, Maryland Ballroom Rhythm & Blues Review Starring Martha Reeves and the Vandellas and featuring Maxine Nightingale and The Contours ...

Confronting recidivism: inmate reentry and the Second Chance Act of 2005.(CT FEATURE)(Reginald A. Wilkinson)(Transcript)
August 1, 2005... Authors' Note: This article is an edited version of written testimony presented to the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Government Reform, Oversight Hearing, by Reginald A. Wilkinson on Feb. 2, 2005. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Supreme Court bans death penalty for under-18 offenders.(CT FEATURE)(Cover Story)
August 1, 2005... The Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits the imposition of "cruel and unusual punishment." Either the imposition of a particular sentence, or the conduct of corrections officials in carrying out a sentence, may be challenged...

Mental health issues: the impact of explosive growth.(CT FEATURE)(Las Vegas, Nevada)
August 1, 2005... Las Vegas is one of the fastest growing regions in the nation. Each day, the population grows by 175 people who move into the area (63,802 over the previous year). Clark County is 7,881 square miles and in addition to Las Vegas, also includes...

Safely reducing reliance on juvenile detention: a report from the field.(CT FEATURE)
August 1, 2005... In the early 1990s, juvenile detention centers across the country were in crisis. Reliance on secure detention, as measured by average daily population, had increased dramatically (see Figure 1) and almost two-thirds of youths admitted to these...

Addressing the challenge of inmate rape.(CT FEATURE)
August 1, 2005... With the passage of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) in 2003, the spotlight was turned on an issue that had been in the shadows for a long time. Inmate-on-inmate (1) sexual assault has captured media attention and generated considerable...

A solvable problem: reducing the disproportionality of youths of color in juvenile detention facilities.(CT FEATURE)
August 1, 2005... Shortly after the establishment of the first juvenile court in 1899, W.E.B. Du Bois, one of the most significant American thinkers of the 20th century, wrote in his seminal work, The Souls of Black Folk, that "the problem of the 20th century is...

Crossing borders: two U.S. corrections efforts offer aid to Haitian prison system.
August 1, 2005... For the past 18 months, the National Penitentiary Administration of the Caribbean nation of Haiti has endured the arduous task of rebuilding its correctional system. Around Feb. 29, 2004, all the country's prisons were left empty as a result of...

Meeting the distinct needs of girls: progressive, gender-specific design for girls' detention.
August 1, 2005... Girls in the juvenile detention and revocation program in Massachusetts are currently housed in a former boys' detention unit in a state mental health facility built in the late 19th century. Little modification has been done since the state's...

On the consequences of listening: hostage incidents in the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
August 1, 2005... Authors' Note: The opinions expressed are those of the authors only and do not represent the official position or policies of the Federal Bureau of Prisons or the U.S. Department of Justice. Operational readiness for the inevitable crises...

The 2005 National Juvenile Corrections and Detention Administrators' Forum: an opportunity for professional development.
August 1, 2005... The future of the nation's children is at stake. Although statistics show an overall drop in crime in recent years, corrections professionals are facing a drastic increase of the nation's fastest-growing crime problem--juvenile offenders. To...

E.R. Cass Award: ACA's highest honor.
August 1, 2005... The E.R. Cass Correctional Achievement Award was created in 1962 in honor of Edward R. Cass, who devoted more than 50 years of his life to corrections. Serving as the American Correctional Association's general secretary for 40 consecutive...

Solicitation of candidates for the 2006 election.
August 1, 2005... The ACA Nominating Committee requests that all affiliates, chapters and individual members submit suggested candidates for officers, members of the Board of Governors and Delegate Assembly, and seats on the Commission on Accreditation for...

The evolution of juvenile justice: community-based partnerships through balanced and restorative justice.(Juvenile Justice News)
August 1, 2005... Author's Note: Juvenile Probation services in Lehigh County, Pa., have evolved from the traditional approach of having youths report to the county courthouse to see their probation officer to the present-day operation of school and...

ACA announces the release of three new resources.(Double Jeopardy: A Counselor's Guide to Treating Juvenile Male Sex Offenders/Substance Abusers)(The Double Jeopardy Workbook)(TRY -- Treatment Readiness for You: A Workbook for Youth at Risk)(Brief Article)(Book Review)
August 1, 2005... Many people make the mistake of assuming that supervising juvenile offenders is the same as managing their male counterparts. The American Correctional Association offers an array of resources that examine the challenges of supervising juvenile...

Corrections calendar.(Calendar)
August 1, 2005... * Construction and Maintenance Institute for Criminal Justice Agencies, 11th Annual Conference, Sept. 6-9, New Orleans. Contact Stan Bates at 1-800-919-9562 or visit www.cmi-cja.org/index.cfm?do=conferences. * National Institute of...

California's experiment with drug treatment generates sobering findings.(Research Notes)
August 1, 2005... The past few years have witnessed a growing interest in the application of drug treatment to curb the growth in America's prison population. It begins with the well-recognized statistics that large proportions (60 percent to 85 percent) of the...

How to start an ACA criminal justice student chapter at your school.(Membership News)(American Correctional Association)
August 1, 2005... The American Correctional Association has begun a student chapter program in order to help future practitioners in the field network with current career practitioners, share information about the field and to enhance the educational experience...

Welcome new members.(Membership News)
August 1, 2005... SUPPORTING PATRON INDIANA -- Heritage Food Service Equipment Inc. MICHIGAN -- Capital Enterprise PENNSYLVANIA -- McCann School of Business, NORESCO TEXAS -- Teletrust Inc. ORGANIZATIONAL COLORADO -- Larimer County...

Corrections: Past, Present and Future.(Book Review)
August 1, 2005... Corrections: Past, Present and Future by Jeanne B. Stinchcomb, Ph.D., American Correctional Association, 2005, 800 pp. The academic marketplace is full of competition, so any introductory textbook must be comprehensive of its subject and...

Picking Up the Pieces: A Workbook for Incarcerated Women.(Book Review)
August 1, 2005... Picking Up the Pieces: A Workbook for Incarcerated Women by Beverly Kay Welo, LAC, American Correctional Association, 2004, 121 pp. People suffer many losses throughout their lives--small losses like a missing pen and big losses such as the...

TRY -- Treatment Readiness for You: A Workbook for Sexual Offenders.(Book Review)
August 1, 2005... TRY -- Treatment Readiness for You: A Workbook for Sexual Offenders by Murray Cullen, Ph.D., LLC, and Robin Wilson, Ph.D., American Correctional Association, 2003, 66 pp. As the title states, TRY -- Treatment Readiness for You is intended...