ACA takes over the big easy.

The American Correctional Association would like to thank all who joined the association in New Orleans for the 138th Congress of Correction. The theme this congress was "Corrections: Being Ready for Any Challenge," and as such, ACA offered a host of workshops and presentations focused on safety and emergency preparedness. Specifically, attendees enjoyed workshops on preparing for health-related emergencies, managing fire emergencies and administering to psychotic inmates. There were also presentations on gender and generational changes affecting the makeup of the correctional work force; ways corrections can forge partnerships with colleges; and an international perspective on the challenges of independent agency reviews. In addition, there were community roundtable discussions on disproportionate minority confinement, how to form ethical committees and other thought-provoking issues. And ACA's Healthcare Professional Interest Section (H-PIS) hosted numerous workshops and events, including a luncheon featuring Lindsay M. Hayes, project director of the National Center on Institutions and Alternatives, who spoke on preventing suicide in secure settings.

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As always, ACA lined up some excellent keynote speakers and performers to inspire and entertain attendees. Archie Manning, All-American quarterback, NFL MVP and father of two NFL MVPs, spoke at the opening General Session on Aug. 11. At the E.R. Cass Award Banquet, attendees got a real taste of New Orleans soul with performances by Irma Thomas and Al "Lil Fats" Jackson. Banquet attendees were also treated to a Mardi Gras-style parade, complete with a street band and moveable floats, atop which ACA's Executive Committee and E.R. Cass awardees, the Rev. Anthony J. Bruno and Arthur Leonardo, stood throwing beads. If you weren't able to attend the banquet, there was ample time for mingling with peers in the exhibit hall--especially before and after the Grand Prize Giveaway on Tuesday morning. There Brenda Garrick, a social worker at C. Paul Phelps Correctional Center in Dequincy, La., won a Dodge Caliber.

Hopefully attendees were challenged and motivated in ways that will benefit them personally, as well as professionally. ACA encourages all who attended to take what they learned in New Orleans back to their respective agencies--whether it is a lesson plan for juveniles, an idea about how to connect with newly hired correctional officers or simply a colleague's phone number. We hope to see you all in Kissimmee, Fla., for the 2009 Winter Conference.

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