Proof Is in the Puddin' An ACA (American Correctional Association) Auditor's View of Training (From Issues in Correctional Training and Casework, Volume 4, P 29-32, 1988, Bruce I Wolford and Pam Lawrenz, eds.)

• NCJ Number: 119286
• Author(s): D J Riffe
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 4 pages
• Sale Source: American Correctional Association; Eastern Kentucky University
• Publication Type: Guideline
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Paper presented at the Fourth Annual Correctional Symposium, Lexington, Ky., and at the Third Annual National Correctional Trainers Conference, Pittsburgh

Annotation

This article considers training standards of the American Correctional Association (ACA) and lists examples of performance-based training.

Abstract

The author, an ACA auditor who has conducted almost 60 audits of juvenile and adult residential corrections facilities, has made observations about the strengths and weaknesses of training in many programs relative to performance-based issues in training standards. Selected standards from ACA manuals are discussed, with standards specified that relate to training hours and trainer curriculums. Although the standards are drawn from the ACA manual on adult community residential facilities, they can be easily conceptualized for use in all settings. The author maintains that training topics with defined hours must be reinforced by correctional administrators and supervisors on a daily basis so that they are reflected in actual performance. Reinforcement is the mechanism by which staff become more competent and more able to comply with standard procedures. The result is an improved quality of life for correctional facility residents. 4 references. (Author abstract modified)