NCJ Number
206975
Journal
Corrections Today Magazine Volume: 66 Issue: 5 Dated: August 2004 Pages: 124,126,127
Date Published
August 2004
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article describes the initial planning process involved in developing the American Correctional Association’s (ACA) Correctional Certification Program and offers a review of future developments in the Program.
Abstract
The ACA’s Professional Development Department created the Correctional Certification Program to offer professional motivation and development to the Nation’s corrections professionals. The Correctional Certification Program is at critical point in its development as the number of individuals seeking ACA accreditation mushrooms. Before offering a glimpse of what the future holds for the Correctional Certification Program, the author first describes the development of the ACA program. The ACA appointed a National Certification Commission that reviewed core competency requirements for four levels: the executive, manager, supervisor, and correctional officer. An accreditation examination was developed using reference materials and was carefully screened by the commission and evaluated by a psychometrician. Requirements for recertification were developed by the commission to provide an avenue for the continued learning and professional development of corrections professionals. After these four basic certifications were in place, the ACA expanded the certification program into specialty fields. Recent and future certification program expansion includes a juvenile certification series with four levels of certification, as well as a certification program for medical personnel who work in correctional environments. Interest has also been sparked for launching a community college pilot program designed to prepare students for certification and discussions are underway with university personnel for the creation of a distance learning course. These new programs, coupled with an aggressive marketing campaign, will help the corrections industry continue to become more professional and more efficient at protecting the public safety and rehabilitating offenders.