What is the emphasis of the American Correctional Association (ACA)?

The American Correctional Association (ACA) predominantly emphasizes the establishment and maintenance of standards for correctional services. This focus is essential in ensuring that correctional facilities operate in a manner that promotes safety, security, and rehabilitation. The ACA develops comprehensive guidelines that address various aspects of correctional management, including policies, procedures, and best practices that facilities should follow to provide effective services and care for inmates.

By creating and upheld standards, the ACA aims to improve the quality and effectiveness of correctional programs, fostering an environment that not only supports the rehabilitation of offenders but also protects the rights and safety of both inmates and staff. These standards serve as benchmarks for correctional facilities, advocating for continuous improvement and accountability in the correctional system.

While other considerations, such as the legal rights of inmates, political issues, and financial management, are certainly relevant within the broader context of corrections, they do not encapsulate the primary mission of the ACA. The Association's core goal remains focused on establishing standards that help shape effective correctional practices across the nation.