The American Correctional Association is one of the biggest correctional associations in the world. It draws its membership from within and without America (Tewksbury & DeMichele, 2005). Though the name came into being in 1954, its precursor associations had been in existence since 1870 (Mc Shane & Williams, 1996). Its primary function is to develop and realize better correctional processes and operational values or standards (Tewksbury & DeMichele, 2005).
One way it carries out its mandate is through accreditation of correctional facilities, which is mainly done through evaluation. Evaluation and accreditation is done by the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections (CAC) (Travisono & Hawkes, 1995). To this end, the association has come up with various functional areas through which it determines whether or not a correctional facility is to be accredited.
These areas include: administration and management; care; justice; program and activity; order; safety; and security. It is worth noting that these have been set as the key areas, and the association encourages correctional facilities to do more. The purpose and goal of each of the areas is discussed hereunder.
The administration and management of correctional facilities has been identified as playing a critical role in achievement of the goal of incarceration. This is because historically the management of correctional facilities was not paid attention to. Accordingly, it became an impediment to attaining the desired goals of reformation and rehabilitation (Cohn, 1987). Though to some extent the setting allowed it, it cannot work within the contemporary society. Consequently, administration and management is important as society moves to professionalism. Additionally, better administration enhances accountability, which in turn ensures that the purpose of incarceration is achieved. Additionally, better administration ensures cooperation and involvement of all stakeholders, which also facilitates a concerted effort in attainment of the desired end of imprisonment.
The importance of care is based on the fact that the Supreme Court has in many occasions affirmed that prisoners’ retain some of their constitutional rights, regardless of incarceration (Palmer, 2010). In deed the VIII Amendment protects prisoners from cruel and unusual treatment. This is attained through caring for the prisoners. This not only ensures compliance with the law, but also the purpose of imprisonment is attained.
The significance of justice to prisoners is intertwined with the foregoing. Importantly, giving effect to rights such as due process, access to parole process and equal protection as envisaged under the 14th Amendment ensures that prisoners get justice.
Program and activity ensures that inmates are kept engaged throughout the incarceration period. This guarantees that they have less idle time to come up with illegal or evil plots. Additionally, some of the programs impart inmates with skills and knowledge that will benefit them, more so financially or economically, after serving time. Overall, program and activity greatly contribute to rehabilitation and reformation.
Through order the activities of a correctional facility run smoothly. This ensures that the facility is able to discharge its mandate. Additionally, it accustoms the inmates to adhering to rules and regulation. This assists them to obey laws and regulations when they are released to the society.
The purpose of security and safety are intertwined. The purpose is to ensure that both inmates and the staff feel secure within the confines of the facility. The importance is that should either feel insecure, they are likely to resort to self help, which could easily precipitate anarchy and chaos and ultimately prejudice the attainment of the ends of imprisonment.
Standards
The ACA favors professionalism in administration and management, and as such the conditions set are geared towards professionalism. One primary standard for administration is that the institution should have in writing policies and procedures that found the institution’s objectives, goals, and regular operating practices (ACA, 1966). It is also required that this system is regularly reviewed to ascertain its effectiveness. Though the recommended period is annually, institutions are encouraged to review the system whenever necessary.
Another standard is that the institution should have a chart clearly stipulating the organizational structures, and the duties and responsibilities of each office or level. This is to foster accountability and order in management. It is required that the occupants of the set offices are duly qualified and appointed on merit (ACA, 2003). Additionally, they should be regularly trained on the job. It is also desirable that the appointment process be clearly stipulated, preferably in writing, to avert external interference. Thirdly, it is imperative that there is place a system of monitoring and assessment of the management and administration. This will ensure overall efficiency of the institution.
For safety and security, the emphasis is that the institution should be secure for all occupants, both in the inside and in the surroundings. Accordingly, one standard is that the facility should be located in an environmentally friendly area, and that the facility should comply with building and fire safety standards set in the jurisdiction. Secondly, the institution must have a round the clock control center to ensure coordination and monitoring of activities within and outside the facility. Facilities are encouraged to utilize modern technology to this end such as CCTV cameras, biometric scans, infra red technology and the like. These systems too must be regularly reviewed or assessed to ensure they are working effectively.
Thirdly, the facility must have a security manual with procedures for control and security. All occupants of the facility must be aware of the contents of the manual. Institutions are encouraged to conduct drills to gauge the level of preparedness, especially in areas that are prone to disasters.
In relation to order, the standards are geared at ensuring activities within the facility run smoothly, and that any mishap is dealt with effectively within minimum time. One condition to attain this is that the ratio between inmates and personnel should be within the accepted standard. This ensures effectiveness in control and maintenance of order within the facility (ACA, 2009). Secondly, the facility should have a program/timetable or schedule of events for both personnel and inmates. Adherence to the timetable should be strictly enforced to ensure that order is maintained. Thirdly, facilities are encouraged to have special response units for restoring order whenever any disorder arises. The deployment of these units should depend on the nature of the disorder. It is desirable that the members of the units are regularly trained to gain experience on how best to handle such situations.
With regard to justice, the standards emphasize that notwithstanding being convicted, inmates should be justly treated. Accordingly, one condition is that the facility should have in writing sanctions and processes for contravention, and the same communicated to the personnel and inmates. All disciplinary process must have regard to due process. It is encouraged that these rules are applied fairly and impartially, irrespective of status. Secondly, facilities are required to ensure that inmates have access to justice; such as access to counsel, courts, and parole boards. Facilities are encouraged however to balance these rights with the purpose of incarceration. Thirdly, facilities should ensure that no programs or activities precipitate or facilitate discrimination of any kind.
The standards of accreditation on care emphasize the treatment of inmates as human beings, and ensuring that the living conditions are suitable. The primary condition is that the number of inmates is proportionate to the number or extent of facilities provided. Secondly, the care givers, whether medical or professional, should be duly qualified and regularly trained to ensure that they give the best care in the circumstances. Thirdly, the facility must comply with standards and ethics set for care related issues such as health and nutritional standards.
With regard to programs and activities, one key condition is that they must be in line with the objectives of the facility. This forestalls redundancy and waste of resources. Secondly, all inmates must have equal access to program and activities. Though facilities are encouraged to avail special programs to some inmates, the same must be done without discrimination. Thirdly, the programs and activities must be in writing in terms of policies, to ensure accountability and right use of resources. In this regard, facilities are encouraged to hire professionals to run these services.
Existing correctional facility
The selected existing correctional facility is Attica Correctional facility in Attica town, in the state of New York. The facility is a maximum security penitentiary, and houses slightly over 2 000 inmates serving short term to life sentences. The facility is famous for riots, more so the 1971 riot. Being a maximum security prison, it houses some of the State’s hardened criminals. It is for such reason that there always incidents of violent altercations involving both inmates and prison personnel. Perhaps a reflection of the population in the state, the prison is quite overcrowded, housing more than its capacity.
The main focus of the accreditation plan is the seven functional areas highlighted above. With regard to administration and management, the management personnel will be evaluated individually, and retrained based on their weaknesses and also to fortify their strengths. The responsibility for management will be divested from the Department of Corrections and vested on administrator centrally at the facility. In relation to care, an analysis of the services and their relevance will be conducted. This is to identify the shortcomings of the system in place. The analysis too will highlight the number and type of professional staff that need to be hired.
For program and activity, an analysis will be carried out of the current services offered. This will identify the effectiveness of these services, and identify the necessary services, bearing in mind the objectives of the facility. Mechanisms will be put in place to ensure equal access to these services. In relation to safety and security, the first thing will be to ensure a well equipped security system is put in place. The system will embrace modern technology. Due to the history of the prison, special response teams will be set up, and trained to handle any situation with the least time and force. A program to conduct safety drills will be put in place and provide a mechanism for implementation and regular review.
With regard to order, great reference will be made to the rule book with respect to personal conduct. Programs will be put in place to enhance cooperation between the inmates and the personnel, especially the wardens. Additionally, the time table will be strictly enforced impartially. The control center will also be relied upon to coordinate the activities of the facility.
The greatest challenge will be reducing the inmate population. Indeed, overcrowding in the facility has been a problem since its inception, and even a major cause of the 1971 riot (Eisenstadt & Moss, 2005). This will be overcome by requesting for transfer of inmates serving short term sentences to minimum security prisons. The judiciary will be also encouraged to send such offenders to other facilities.
Another challenge will be funding. A lot of resources will be required to meet the ACA conditions, and the federal budget is not enough. In order to supplement the funding, funding will be sought from the private sector through contracting to provide services. Additionally, the programs set for the inmates would be diversified to provide more income.
Thirdly, changing the culture of the facility will be great challenge. The facility houses hardened criminals, and therefore has a culture of violence and disorder. To overcome this, the inmates will be sensitized of the importance of cooperation and getting along in prison. Programs will be put in place to enhance cooperation between the staff and the inmates. Dissidents will be strictly and impartially dealt with.
References
ACA. (1966). Manual of Correctional Standards. Maryland: ACA. Print.
ACA. (2009). Core Jail Standards. Maryland: ACA. Print.
ACA & Commission on Accreditation for Corrections (2003). Standards for Adult Correctional
Institutions (4th ed.) Maryland: ACA. Print.
Cohn, A. (1987). The Failure of Correctional Management – The Potential for Reversal. Federal
Probation, 51, 3-7.
Eisenstadt, P.R. and Moss, L. (2005). The Encyclopedia of New York State (eds.). NY: Syracuse
Mc Shane, M.D. and Williams, F.P. (1996). Encyclopedia of American Prisons (eds.). NY:
Taylor & Francis. Print.
Palmer, J.W. (2010). Constitutional Rights of Prisoners (9th ed.). NJ: Matthew Bender & Co. Inc.
Print.
Tewksbury, R. and DeMichele, M.T. (2005). Encyclopedia of Prisons & Correctional Facilities.
CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. Print.
Travisono, A.P. and Hawkes, M.Q. (1995). ACA and Prison Reform. Corrections Today, 57(5),
70 – 73. Print.
