2009 APPA Winter Training Institute Conference

(Photos from the conference can be viewed by CLICKING HERE)

A Force for Positive Change - Where do we Stand
by Stephanie Garrick

The South Carolina Probation and Parole Association hosted this year’s American Probation and Parole Association 2009 Winter Training Institute Conference in beautiful Myrtle Beach on February 8th-11th.  Our conference accommodations at the Embassy Suites located on the Kingston Plantation were state-of-the-art. Our SC Association hosted the hospitality booth where we had the opportunity to greet over 350 guests from all over the United States and welcome them to the beach.   The conference kicked off Sunday with Illinois’ U.S. Congressman Danny K. Davis’ "Everybody Deserves a Second."  Congressman Davis introduced the 2nd Chance Act in the 110th Congress.  The Act is designed to rehabilitate and prepare offenders for a healthy and positive reentry into normal society once released from correctional facilities.  After the opening session, everyone was invited to visit with friends and meet other participants at a reception while exploring the many exhibits in the Resource Expo.

The Resource Expo consisted of 53 exhibitors who presented the latest products, innovative services, and state-of-the-art technologies to meet the challenges of keeping communities safe. Everyone had the chance to see, test, and compare products and services while being able to discuss specific agency needs with experts in areas such as correction software applications, drug testing technologies, offender monitoring systems, training and curriculum development, substance abuse and behavioral health programs.   Exhibitors provided a variety of door prizes and "goodies" which everyone stocked up on.  The South Carolina Probation and Parole Association displayed their own booth to help promote our local association.   Attendees voted Smart Start as the best vendor.

Monday morning started bright and early with the Plenary Session.  Bart Lubow, Director of Programs for High-Risk Youth Annie E. Casey Foundation, presented practical and relevant strategies for reducing the criminal justice systems’ reliance on incarceration - focusing on what probation can do.   Attendees participated in a variety of workshops which provided them the opportunity to learn about new ways to approach issues such as supervising diverse populations, using cognitive behavioral and motivational interviewing techniques to help offenders help themselves to better behaviors and lifestyles, and maintaining safety in the field.

State Probation hosted several workshops to include: "Managing South Carolina Sex Offenders- What a Difference a Year Makes", presented by Scott Norton and Ken Wagner;  "Gangs and Guns: Involving Probation and Parole in Firearm Interdiction", presented by Chris Stepp, Jennifer Meador, and Sharon Sheehy; and " How to Avoid an Explosion in the Paint Locker, Geographic Case Assignment", presented by Tony Dukes.

During the 2009 Winter Training Institute’s closing session, former Washington Post reporter and three time New York Times best-selling author, Pete Early, discussed his family’s struggles with his son who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and who became entangled in the criminal justice system.  He also discussed the findings of a nine-month investigation he undertook inside the Miami-Dade County Jail’ s psychiatric cellblock where he followed a handful of psychotic inmates through the criminal justice system and in the streets to observe first-hand how they were treated.  He explained why jails and prisons have become our new asylums.  He discussed successful alternatives to incarceration and innovative ways for states to fund mental health services.

APPA’s mission statement is" to serve, challenge and empower our members and constituents by educating, communicating and training; advocating and influencing; acting as a resource and conduit for information, ideas and support; developing standards and models; and collaborating with other disciplines" which were accomplished during the Winter Institute, "Working Together - Partners for Change"

Mark your calendar for the SCPPPA Spring Conference, May 7-8, at the Hyatt, in Greenville, SC.  Watch for information on all upcoming SCPPA events by logging on to our website at www.scppa.net.