Each year at the American Correctional Association's winter and summer conferences, the Association recognizes professionals who have dedicated their careers to ensuring the integrity and vitality of the corrections profession. The Association responds to these professionals by offering a variety of significant awards authorized by its governing bodies: the Executive Committee, the Board of Governors, and the Delegate Assembly.

The Awards of the American Correctional Association are as follows:

• Community Service Award
  • This award is open to ACA's Chapters and Affiliates only. Please contact the ACA Executive Office for more information.
• E.R. Cass Correctional Achievement Award
• Exemplary Offender Program Award
  • "Note: In order to determine whether your program is eligible, please complete the attached "Eligibility Screening Sheet," and include a copy with your nomination package. This screening sheet must be included in order to make the nomination complete"
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Award
• Medal of Valor Award
• Outstanding Journalism Award
• Peter P. Lejins Research Award
  • "Note: In order to assist the Awards Committee with their decision, please complete the attached "Tell Us About Your Candidate form," and include a completed copy with your nomination package. This form must be included in order to make the nomination complete"

(NOTE: Please mail your award nomination as instructed on the nomination form for each of the following awards. Due to the documentation required for each award, no nomination can be accepted via e-mail.)

For additional information regarding these awards, please contact Jennifer Bechtel at jenniferb@aca.org.