National Association of Social Workers

Corrections: Public Safety, Public Health

NASW, Corrections Group Share Social Concerns

"I always saw the link between social work and corrections," says ACA's president.

By Lyn Stoesen, News Staff

Illustration: John Michael Yanson

By the end of 2002, more than 2 million people were in United States prisons and jails. While some may imagine the corrections staff as consisting of uniformed guards and wardens, corrections facilities offer many services and treatment programs provided by corrections professionals, including counseling, drug and alcohol treatment, case management and other types of work often provided by social workers.

ACA's tradition. In April 2003, American Correctional Association President Charles Kehoe and Deputy Executive Director Jeffrey Washington met with NASW Executive Director Elizabeth J. Clark to discuss points of intersection between the organizations.

Kehoe, an NASW member since 1966, said he has long seen a connection between the fields. "I always saw the link between social work and corrections. . . . When I became president of ACA [in August 2002], one of the things I wanted to do was build some collaborations with other professional organizations."

"There are so many areas of intersection in the work of the ACA and NASW," Clark agreed. "From our push for social justice and sound mental health policy, to our concern about health care issues and human services funding — the list goes on."

"We also have much common ground on professional issues, including our concerns about workforce shortages, the importance of effectively using research and continuing education to bolster our fields and our strong belief in supporting ethical and responsible practice," Clark said.

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From January 2004 NASW News. © 2004 National Association of Social Workers. All rights reserved. NASW News articles may be copied for personal use, but proper notice of copyright and credit to the NASW News must appear on all copies made. This permission does not apply to reproduction for advertising, promotion, resale, or other commercial purposes.