American Correctional Association

American Correctional Association

Introduction

The American correctional system is thought to be the most advanced correctional system today. American Correctional Association is the member of this correctional system, which is the oldest and considered to be the most reliable in the United States. This association was formed in the year 1870 and presently has more than 20,000 exercisers in the United States and Canada. Moreover, there are 74 other affiliated organizations that work alongside ACA having same organizational goals (Ralphs, 2006). ACA is actually an umbrella association that covers all the disciplines and professions for the purpose of corrections within criminal justice system. The organization works for the purpose of implementing correctional effectiveness for the benefit of exercisers and for the local public.

Discussion

Overview

The organization was established under the name of National Prison Association in 1870. The National Prison Association changed its name to American Correctional Association later in 1954. This name change reflects that the concept of corrections extends beyond prisons and jails. Through this name change, a new mission was awarded to the prisoners i.e. rehabilitation. Countless number of programs was offered to change the behavior of male and female prisoners into a law abiding one instead of the law breaking attitude.

The first elected president of the Association was that time's Governor of Ohio and future president of the US named, Rutherford B. Hayes. At the organization's first meeting at Cincinnati, Ohio, the 300 members present developed their Declaration of Principles, which turned out to be the guideline for corrections for the US. One hundred years later, members at the 1970 ACA centennial meeting adopted a revised act of Principles, reflecting more advanced theories and practices. Notwithstanding, the ACA retained 37 of the original principles, which continue to serve as a foundation for the ACA's national standards and policies. ...