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Correctional Certification

There has never been any question that the correctional environment can be formidable. However, with additional stressors of high turnover rates and pressures of budget cuts, the need to focus on changing the climate has become even more critical. Such change must begin with the most important element of the correctional environment -- the staff. A spirit of professionalism must be cultivated and perpetuated among corrections personnel if correctional facilities are to operate efficiently and fulfill their function of maintaining public safety.

The mission of the American Correctional Association's Corrections Certification Program is to increase the level of professionalism in corrections through the process of voluntary certification. Professionalism is a commitment to a set of agreed-upon values aimed toward the improvement of the organization while maintaining the highest standards of excellence and dissemination of knowledge. In addition to knowledge and skills, professionals must present humanistic qualities: selflessness, responsibility and accountability, leadership, excellence, integrity, honesty, empathy and respect for co-workers and inmates.

As ACA's Corrections Certification Program grows, the pool of potential applicants is also increasing. In collaboration with LaserGrade, ACA's Corrections Certification Program now offers certification exams online through LaserGrade Computer Testing Co. The contract provides a new option for corrections personnel who wish to become certified corrections professionals -- easy access. LaserGrade, with more than 1,000 computer-based testing centers across the United States and Canada, plus 30 international sites, is the largest U.S. owned and operated network in North America. No more traveling across the country. No more waiting for ACA's annual conferences to take the exam. Now, candidates are able to take their exam online at a preferred location near them.

Linda Gable, program coordinator for the Circleville Juvenile Correctional Facility in Circleville, Ohio, successfully completed the certification exam online. She went to www.lasergrade.com, entered a zip code and found a listing of test sites in her area. She chose to take the exam at a preferred location in Columbus, Ohio. "Immediately upon arriving at the testing center, I felt comfortable with the test proctor and the testing environment," Gable said. "I was asked to provide proof in the form of picture identification to provide validity that I was indeed Linda Gable. I was given a brief orientation of what to expect of the testing environment, how the test was conducted and an overview of the computer functions for the testing format. The test proctor was very thorough in explaining all aspects of the testing process and her expectations of me as a participant. I had the opportunity to test my knowledge of the computer functions as it related to the test by answering a few 'fake questions' to become familiar with the process of answering the questions and moving through the test."

When it was time to start the examination, she took a deep breath and began taking the certified corrections manager/juvenile examination. "I really enjoyed the 'tagging' feature that allowed me to tag a question that I was unsure about for review at a later time," Gable said. "This function allowed me to move through the test quickly on those items that I was confident about the answer and to return quickly to those nagging questions that I was not so confident about the answers. I could see at a one-page glance what questions were unanswered or answered and tagged for review."

Gable successfully completed the certification process, passed the examination and today is a certified corrections manager/juvenile (CCM/Juv). This designation certifies that she has mastered particular knowledge and skills in the juvenile area of corrections. Moreover, it shows that she is an individual who strives to grow as a professional. And, it identifies her as someone who desires to establish or maintain a career in the corrections field.

"Overall, I enjoyed using this testing format and I was pleased to obtain the results immediately upon closing out on the test," Gable said. "I loved not having to wait for two additional weeks to learn my fate. The testing site was conducive to the process and offered a quiet, relaxing environment. I would recommend this process to anyone, especially those who suffer from test anxiety, as I do. This process earns a five-star rating from my perspective."

Prior to the partnership with LaserGrade, those wishing to receive ACA certification were required to travel to distant testing sites or attend an ACA conference. Under the new partnership with LaserGrade, candidates can simply go to www.lasergrade.com, enter a zip code and find a listing of test sites in their area. If you would like to follow Gables' footsteps and take the certification examination online, please be aware that ACA's Corrections Certification Program currently offers the following exams online: Certified Corrections Executive (CCE); Certified Corrections Executive/Juvenile (CCE/Juv); Certified Corrections Manager (CCM); Certified Corrections Manager/Juvenile (CCM/ Juv); Certified Corrections Manager/ Security Threat Group (CCM/STG); Certified Corrections Supervisor (CCS); Certified Corrections Supervisor/Juvenile (CCS/Juv); Certified Corrections Supervisor/Security Threat Group (CCS/STG); Certified Corrections Officer (CCO); and Certified Corrections Officer/Juvenile (CCO/Juv).

To enroll in the Corrections Certification Program, a person must complete an application and document that he or she:

• Is currently employed in a fulltime corrections position at the level of certification being applied for;

• Has been in his or her present position for a minimum of one year;

• Has demonstrated satisfactory (or better) performance for the past year;

• Has agreed to uphold ACA's code of ethics; and

• Meets the educational requirements for the level of certification being applied for.

A common difference between a professional and nonprofessional is that a professional learns every aspect of the job, whereas a nonprofessional avoids the learning process and considers it a waste of time. A professional will try to prevent mistakes at all costs, but if they are made, will acknowledge them, unlike a nonprofessional who will ignore or hide them, A professional tries to be great, whereas a nonprofessional just tries to be good at what he or she does. Successfully completing ACA's Corrections Certification Program affirms that there is a body of knowledge associated with corrections -- knowledge that both separates it from other fields of endeavor and distinguishes it as a true profession.

To obtain an application for the certification program or for more information on the Corrections Certification Program, please contact ACA's Corrections Certification Program at 1-800-ACA-JOIN ext., 1864, or visit www.aca.org.

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By ACA Professional Development Staff