Corrections Today articles from June 2005

Corrections Today archives from June 2005

Being the best is not enough.(managing sexual assaults in prisons)(Editorial)
June 1, 2005... During the past few years, three major issues have dominated policy and political debates on correctional issues. The first issue centers on sexual assaults within the nation's correctional facilities. Believing that sexual assault is common...

Hardwork and dedication: the true face of corrections.(commentary)
June 1, 2005... When I was first informed that the subtheme of the annual Best in the Business issue was "Corrections' Public Face" (the media and public's view of corrections). I found it somewhat ironic. While I am quite certain that all of us working in...

Negotiating Correctional Incidents: A Practical Guide.(Bookshelf)(Book Review)
June 1, 2005... Negotiating Correctional Incidents: A Practical Guide, by Thomas J. Fagan, American Correctional Association, 2003, 187 pp. Few events have such a devastating effect upon employee morale, institutional operations and public relations as do...

Letter to the editor.(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2005... Being new to the American Correctional Association through the Iowa Corrections Association's dual membership, I recently received my first copy of Corrections Today. Although interesting and filled with news of corrections across the country,...

Consistency in corrections can reduce recidivism.(A View From the Line)
June 1, 2005... When I began working in a correctional institution, one of the first responsibilities I realized I had was to correct an inmate's inappropriate behavior, such as fighting with other inmates and lying about where they had been. It was not the...

Wisconsin to increase drug treatment.(funding for treatment, education and job placements for inmates)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... The size of a drug treatment program that lets state inmates out early would nearly double under the budget that Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle has introduced, reported the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The expanded drug treatment program is one...

Five crowding bills OK'd by Arkansas house.(reducing jail crowding)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... In Arkansas, five bills designed to reduce jail crowding and limit the number of people who return to prison have been approved by the House, according to the Arkansas News Bureau. The bills were supported by the state Department of Correction,...

Re-evaluating the use of segregation in corrections.(Speak Out)
June 1, 2005... Author's Note: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. I was very pleased to see the most recent edition of Corrections Today (February 2005)...

Justices order review of 400-plus sentences.(Supreme Court gives federal judges greater freedom in sentencing)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... The U.S. Supreme Court announced the first consequences of its landmark decision to give federal judges greater freedom in sentencing, ordering federal appeals courts to reconsider more than 400 criminal sentences in light of the ruling earlier...

Death penalty expected to decline again in 2005.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... The death penalty in the United States has been declining steadily since executions peaked in 1999, and the trend likely will continue in 2005, reported stateline.org. Death sentences have dropped by 54 percent and executions by 40 percent...

New manual added to standards and accreditation.(Accreditation Byline)
June 1, 2005... The Standards and Accreditation Department presents the long-awaited and highly anticipated Performance-Based Standards for Adult Local Detention Facilities, Fourth Edition. The manual is completely performance-based and 57 standards lighter....

Budget proposal places state and local law enforcement assistance programs in jeopardy.(Legislative Issues)
June 1, 2005... President Bush unveiled his fiscal year 2006 budget in early February, touting the fact that crime, including violent crime, is at a 30-year low. The president's budget initiative focuses on bringing "together federal, state and local agencies...

ACA's certification program extends to juvenile corrections.(American Correctional Association)
June 1, 2005... On Jan. 8, 2005, Chad Sokolowski, CCE, CCE/Juv, joined thousands of his fellow corrections professionals in Phoenix for the American Correctional Association's 2005 Winter Conference. Sokolowski came to the heart of the Southwest not only to...

Four steps to emotional healing: helping juveniles reflect on their lives and criminal offenses.(Juvenile Justice News)
June 1, 2005... Throughout America, many juvenile and adult offenders who appear before judges often are acting out from a firestorm of pain that rages within their emotions. This internal rage appears to be a common theme that links most, if not all, juvenile...

Supreme court rules that racially segregating inmates is unconstitutional.(Judicial News)
June 1, 2005... On Feb. 23, 2005, the Supreme Court opined in Johnson v. California that the California Department of Corrections' de facto policy of racially segregating inmates for a period of 60 days in its reception center should be subject to the strict...

Multimedia Telesys Inc.(Profile)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Multimedia Telesys Inc. (MTI) is currently taking video visitation to a higher level by connecting visitors at home with inmates via Web-based communications. Lawyers and probation officers also will be able to visit from their offices instead...

Heery International.(Private Sector News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... For the second time in three months, Atlanta-based design and construction management firm Heery International is expanding through acquisition. The firm has purchased Los Angeles-based JCM Group, one of Southern California's premier project...

BI Inc.(contract with California Department of the Youth Authority)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... BI Inc., the nation's largest provider of technology, treatment and inmate reentry services for community-based corrections, was selected by the California Department of the Youth Authority (CYA) to provide electronic monitoring equipment and...

Globe Amerada Architectural Glass (1).(name changes to Global Security Glazing)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Globe Amerada Architectural Glass announced that it has changed its name to Global Security Glazing. Global Security Glazing is in the midst of a new branding campaign to position itself as the premier company offering glass specification...

New ideas and evidence-based practices: the case for inmate reentry.(Probation and Parole Forum)
June 1, 2005... Merging new ideas with evidence-based practices was the theme of the American Probation and Parole Association's Winter Institute held in Anaheim, Calif., Feb. 13-16. Reflecting on his more than 30-year corrections career, Ron Goethals,...

The Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003: addressing sexual assault in correctional settings.(NIC Update)
June 1, 2005... Author's Note: Some of the information for this article was taken from NIC's annual report to Congress on the Prison Rape Elimination Act. The full report, dated September 2004, is available for download on the NIC Web site at...

Enjoy the charming sights and attractions of Baltimore while making strides in your career!(135th Congress of Correction OF American Correctional Association)
June 1, 2005... The American Correctional Association's 135th Congress of Correction will be held August 6-11, 2005, at the Baltimore Convention Center. While attending this year's Congress, attendees will be able to enjoy the multicultural city of Baltimore....

Program of events: "building alliances for a stronger voice in corrections".(135th Congress of Correction)
June 1, 2005... The following is a tentative 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 updates for all events. ...

Cal Ripken Jr.: opening session keynote speaker.(135th Congress of Correction)
June 1, 2005... Monday, August 8, 2005 8:15 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Baltimore Convention Center Baseball great Cal Ripken Jr., the embodiment of some of the most revered American ideals: excellence, loyalty, dedication and consistency in the face of...

Family Auxiliary Program and Tour.(135th Congress of Correction, American Correctional Association)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Baltimore, The 'Star Spangled Banner' City Monday, August 8, 2005 * 1:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Cost: $32 per person (adult or child) Prepare yourself for an engaging tour of the harbor city of Baltimore's greatest landmarks. A personable...

Hotel reservation information.(135th Congress of Correction, American Correctional Association)
June 1, 2005... Attendees of the American Correctional Association's 135th Congress of Correction in Baltimore, Maryland can make their hotel reservations online, by telephone, fax or mail by July 1, 2005. ACA wants your conference experience to be a pleasant...

Monday Night Reception: "summer block party".(135th Congress of Correction)
June 1, 2005... Monday, August 8, 2005 * 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Baltimore Convention Center, Exhibit Hall Enjoy a night of socializing with colleagues in the Exhibit Hall while celebrating the best of Baltimore during ACA's Monday Night Reception event,...

Travel arrangements.(American Correctional Association signs contracts with AirTran Airways, United Airlines and Avis Rent a Car Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... AIRLINES AirTran Airways and United Airlines have been selected as ACA's official airlines for the Baltimore Congress. AirTran Airways is offering 10% off the lowest available fares to and from Baltimore. Call AirTran Airways...

Tuesday Morning Specialty Break: take me out to the ballgame.(135th Congress of Correction)
June 1, 2005... Tuesday, August 9, 2005 * 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Baltimore Convention Center, Exhibit Hall Let the cheers and excitement of the crowd get your morning started right, as ACA hosts its Tuesday Morning Specialty Break, "Take Me Out to the...

Let ACA's audiovisual sponsors "brighten" up your congress week!(audiovisual and congress sponsors, American Correctional Association)
June 1, 2005... PINNACLE ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS, INC. 1157 Phoenixville Pike West Chester, PA 19380 (610) 430-0212 Fax: (610) 430-7687 E-mail: sales@pinnacle.ws CONTACTS: MIKE VIDRO, DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL SALES GEORGIA ROBINSON, SALES...

Stay on top of current events while at the Baltimore Congress with the Congress Daily newspaper.(The Geo Group Inc.)
June 1, 2005... The Congress Daily newspaper will keep attendees on track of the latest developments and social activities during the Baltimore Congress. ACA appreciates The GEO Group, Inc. for its continuing support of this informative publication. ...

Grand Prize Giveaway game.(135th Congress of Correction)
June 1, 2005... Wednesday, August 10, 2005 * 12:45 p.m. Baltimore Convention Center, Exhibit Hall Each year, attendees gather for the Grand Prize Giveaway Game, where one lucky attendee becomes the instant winner of a spectacular prize--a brand new...

E.R. Cass Award recipients and entertainment sponsor.(135th Congress of Correction)
June 1, 2005... Wednesday, August 10, 2005 * 7:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. The Recipients of the 2005 E.R. Cass Correctional Achievement Award Are: Glenn S. Goord, Commissioner, New York State Department of Correctional Services, Albany, New York ...

Pierre Allard: pastor discovers new world within prison walls.(director of Correctional Service of Canada)
June 1, 2005... When the Rev. Pierre Allard moved from Canada to Boston to earn his second theology degree, the world of corrections was the furthest thing from his mind. But when he accepted a position as a counselor to recovering heroine addicts--simply as a...

Stacey Atkinson: fulfilling juveniles' needs both on and off the clock.(South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice)
June 1, 2005... Throughout her 24-year corrections career, Stacey Atkinson has championed the needs of juveniles even if it meant working long hours and seven-day weeks. Although quite modest about her accomplishments with the South Carolina Department of...

Ferrell Brock: building a better Christmas.(The Best in the Business)(Toys for Tots)
June 1, 2005... Arusty wheel or an old frame may not mean much to the average person, but to Ferrell Brock, it might mean a merry Christmas for one child. Brock, a sergeant at the Washington Correctional Institution (C.I.) in Florida, is part of a bicycle...

Devon Brown: progressive leadership in the New Jersey DOC.(Department of Correction)
June 1, 2005... Devon Brown, a Maryland native, began his corrections career in 1974 as a forensic psychologist for the New Jersey Department of Institutions and Agencies. Since then, he has steadily climbed the career ladder with positions in Maryland and the...

Bryan Collier: Texas parole, under control.
June 1, 2005... For the entire Texas Division of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), it is easy to imagine a stressed-out, disgruntled parole director, when considering the magnitude of this division. But despite supervising 77,000 offenders, 67 offices and 1,230 parole...

Cindy Cousins: innovations in information management come to the DOC.(North Carolina's Department of Correction)
June 1, 2005... Weaving through gaggles of data has plagued corrections personnel since the dawn of recording inmate information. For the North Carolina Department of Correction, things were no different. That is until Cindy Cousins and her team of...

Keith Hoffer: a shot in the dark.(The Best in the Business)
June 1, 2005... It is pouring rain. In a prison, a male inmate who has been sentenced to 699 years for being a convicted serial rapist has barracked an office door and covered up all windows. In the office with the inmate waits a terrified counselor working in...

Charles Kim: tough task brings order to faulty system.
June 1, 2005... Chaos--That is what seemed to be the consensus regarding the state of the District of Columbia Department of Corrections' records office before Charles Kim came on board. The DOC was releasing some inmates early, others late and the physical...

Sally Kreamer: a true leader.(residential officer of Iowa Department of Correctional S)
June 1, 2005... Sally Kreamer began her corrections career as a residential officer in a community-based residential facility 17 years ago. Now assistant director of field services for the Fifth Judicial District of the Iowa Department of Correctional Services...

James Marion: recycling reaps benefits for New York DOC.(Department of Correctional Services)
June 1, 2005... For James Marion, resource management director for the New York State Department of Correctional Services, talking trash is a daily occurrence. While someone else may just see a bunch of junk. Marion looks and sees dollar signs. Just last year...

Steve McColm: community angst quelled despite reentering felons.( corrections specialist of Washington Department of Corrections)
June 1, 2005... Convincing a community that a soon-to-be-released sex offender moving to their neighborhood is not the end of the world can be a difficult task. Even more challenging may be ensuring that the former felon is accepted by community members during...

Joseph Nicholas and Bruce Myers: officers' off-duty work leads to missing girl's body.(New Jersey's Department of Corrections)
June 1, 2005... On July 11, 2004, 16-year-old Brittney Gregory of Brick Township, N.J., is last seen by her family. The following day, Gregory is reported missing, launching a massive weeks-long search for the young girl. Although a suspect is arrested, the...

Patsy Morrow, Michael Pierce and Jason Rogers: trio rescues ferry operator from frigid river.(The Best in the Business)
June 1, 2005... On a daily basis, correctional officers Michael Pierce and Jason Rogers, along with registered nurse Patsy Morrow, boarded a ferry that would take them across the Monongahela River to and from Fayette County, Pa., where the Fayette State...

Valvincent Reyes: at the front lines of mental illness.(California Youth Authority)
June 1, 2005... When community supervision and mental illness overlap, it is a challenge fit only for those earnestly eager to help people. Valvincent Reyes, parole agent II-specialist for the California Youth Authority, has been motivated to make that...

James Roth: sergeant's tenacity aids veteran.(Michigan Department of Corrections)
June 1, 2005... In most cases, a swamp-soaked, insect-infested suitcase found on the side of the road would be left right where it was spotted; it is not exactly the buried treasure that anyone seeks to find, let alone take back to the office. But when Sgt....

Diane Sabatka-Rine: maintaining momentum and striving for excellence.(Best in the Business)
June 1, 2005... For nearly 21 years, Diane Sabatka-Rine has worked tirelessly for the staff and inmates of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. Sabatka-Rine, currently warden of the Diagnostic and Evaluation Center in Lincoln, began her career as...

Truman Tipton: veterinarian turns around farm operations.(Kentucky Department of Corrections)
June 1, 2005... After 25 years in private practice as a veterinarian, Truman Tipton unexpectedly ended up in corrections. Upon learning that the state of Kentucky decided to widen the highway outside of his clinic, Tipton was approached by a friend from the...

List of submissions.(Best personnel in the Business recognition)
June 1, 2005... The following personnel were submitted for Corrections Today's annual Best in the Business issue. Many thanks to the correctional agencies and ACA chapters and affiliates for this year's submissions. Arizona Lawrence Bevins, sergeant,...

Media finally giving serious attention to corrections: prison professionals can help.
June 1, 2005... I can think of plenty of reasons why the media spotlight should shine steadily on corrections. Even if much of the public does not care about prisons or inmates, their impact on communities, public safety and government spending is enormous....

Behind the truth in the communications office.
June 1, 2005... Often, a positive public impression of correctional employees comes to light during tragedies like the unfortunate death of an officer at the hands of inmates. "Strong men and women who keep their composure in the face of aggressive inmates...

Balancing media interest in prisons with operational safety and security concerns.
June 1, 2005... The California Department of Corrections operates 32 prisons, 40 fire conservation camps, and several community inmate-mother programs and family foundation programs in facilities housing about 162,000 inmates. It also oversees an average of...

What is the perceived worth of recreation? Results from a county jail study.
June 1, 2005... The debate regarding whether recreation behind bars should be offered has gone on for many years. As author Brenda Robertson said, as "we enter the 21st century, there are still many that feel that recreation services have no role to play...

Children of inmates: what happens to these unintended victims?(impact of incarceration on prisoners' children in the community)
June 1, 2005... Every day, adults are arrested or sentenced to serve time in jail or prison. The nation's incarcerated population exceeded 2 million people this past year, the highest ever. As more parents are incarcerated, more children are suffering as well....

Treatment of individuals with co-occurring disorders in county jails: the Beaver County, Pa., experience.(Pennsylvania)
June 1, 2005... Authors' Note: This project was funded by the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare and the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs of the Pennsylvania Department of Health. ...

Youth Leadership Conference teaches ins and outs of the criminal justice system.
June 1, 2005... On a cold Saturday morning in late February, 32 students gathered at the Herman L. Toulson Correctional Boot Camp in Jessup, Md., to participate in the annual single-day Youth Leadership Conference (YLC). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The...

Examining public support for "correcting" offenders.(Research Notes)
June 1, 2005... What should be done with those who break the law and are placed in the hands of corrections officials? This is a very broad question, and in a broad way, people have debated the most appropriate approach. As most observers are aware,...

ACA accreditation patch.(Membership News)
June 1, 2005... The American Correctional Association introduces a new way to show your pride: the ACA accreditation patch. This red twill sew-on patch with satin lettering is 4.75 inches by 2.75 inches and is being offered to those facilities that have...

Chapter conferences.(Membership News)
June 1, 2005... The pictures below offer a glimpse into one of our chapter's conferences. Thanks to the New Jersey Chapter of ACA (NJACA) for providing this look into its annual conference last fall. The New Jersey Department of Correction display was one...

Welcome new members.(Membership News)(American Correctional Association)
June 1, 2005... ORGANIZATIONAL ALASKA -- Hoona Spirit Camp ARIZONA -- Arizona Department of Corrections-Training Bureau MICHIGAN -- Ottawa County Juvenile Detention Center OHIO -- Correctional Reception Center OKLAHOMA -- Office of...