Pittsburgh Hosts American Correctional Association Conference
Published on August 03, 2026
Thousands of correctional professionals and employees descended on the David Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh last week for the American Correctional Association’s 156th Congress of Correction.
The center hosted the event, with the theme “Three Rivers, One Purpose,” from July 30 to Aug. 2. Interim Warden Connie Clark and several other Allegheny County Jail staff members served on the host committee as ACA members from around the country gathered to network, attend professional development seminars, workshops and trainings, browse the display booths and listen to a keynote speech from Pittsburgh Steelers legend and NFL Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis.
"The ACA Conference gave the Allegheny County Jail the opportunity to showcase a lot of the amazing things we do," Clark said. "We conducted jail tours, created a table display, volunteered and had our Honor Guard present the colors. Our five professional presentations gave others an opportunity to learn from the great work we do here. As hosts, many people put in a lot of work to prepare for the conference, but it was all worth it."
In addition to volunteering and attending events at the conference, County employees led those aforementioned presentations throughout the weekend to demonstrate the innovative efforts undertaken by the Jail and the County. The workshops are outlined below:
From Intake to Release: Providing Lifesaving Substance Use Treatment in the Allegheny County Jail
Allegheny County Department of Human Services project manager Brandi Harrison, ACJ Director of Addiction Medicine Dr. Liz Ferro and ACJ Deputy Health Systems Administrator Debbie Scovill led this session focusing on addressing substance use disorder.
This presentation outlined the jail’s comprehensive, evidence-based informed approach to substance-use treatment from intake through release. It addressed withdrawal management, screening and treatment, programming and challenges jails face with implantation of such programs.
Reenvisioning Jail Reentry: Allegheny County’s Roadmap to Successful Reentry
ACJ Administrator of Reentry Services Amy Kroll, ACJ Collaborative Monitor Christopher Powell and Reentry Adult Probation Supervisor Sabrina Orlansky led this workshop looking at the jail’s expanded Reentry Program.
This session highlighted the Allegheny County Jail’s comprehensive reentry model, an initiative designed to ensure continuity of care from incarceration to community and the recent integration of Recovery-Oriented Cognitive Therapy (CT-R) throughout reentry programming. CT-R is a strengths-based approach focused on identifying and attaining the individual’s desired life and is particularly applicable for people who might otherwise not engage in treatment due to mistrust, chronic institutionalization, or limited access to motivation.
Continuity of Care MATTERS: Leveraging Technology to Increase Post-Release Recovery Supports for Incarcerated Individuals
Harris and Allegheny County DHS Program Manager Matthew Bequeath led this session that discussed how the county is using technology to improve the continuity of care for people with substance use disorder returning to the community.
The MATTERS platform enables correctional and healthcare staff to quickly view appointment availability for community providers and submit referrals in minutes. MATTERS also provides follow-up support, medication vouchers, transportation, and same day telemedicine to reduce barriers in accessing treatment after release.
Elevating Mental Health Care in Jails
Scovill joined ACJ Clinical Health Therapist Ashlee Groover and Dr. Lewis Jonathan Peiper of the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction for this session that addressed how the ADJ has expanded its mental healthcare offerings.
This session discussed how the jail created an in-house mental health therapy clinic that supports incarcerated individuals and outlines key steps taken to support the growth of this clinical service within the facility. The session highlighted training opportunities provided to jail staff to strengthen their ability to provide trauma-informed care.
Mobile Competency Restoration and Support: How Innovation in Allegheny County is Addressing the Competency Crisis
Harrison joined Renee Madden, the Program Manager of the Allegheny County Mobile Competency Restoration and Support Team, and County Director of Pretrial Services Colleen Sypolt to discuss how the county is addressing the County’s competency crisis.
The session shared lessons learned during planning and implementation, highlighting successes, challenges, and strategies for delivering services in the least restrictive setting permissible. The presentation reviewed first-year outcomes and demonstrated how this model improves continuity of care and reduces incarceration for individuals found not competent to stand trial.
The ACA’s Winter Conference is scheduled for Jan. 7 to Jan. 10, 2027, in Phoenix.
Media inquiries may be directed to Jesse Geleynse, Public Information Officer for the Allegheny County Jail
jesse.geleynse@alleghenycounty.us or by phone at 412-350-1267 or 412-760-4790 (cell).