The policy volume represents an ongoing effort of the ACA to develop and promulgate national correctional policy guidance for practitioners, decisionmakers, and the public at large. Part one of the volume describes the background and history of ACA policy development activities as well as the process used to obtain consensus on issues related to the future of correctional policy. Part two presents policy statements ratified by the ACA and accompanying discussions designed to enhance understanding of the policies. The policies address both adult and juvenile correctional issues, along with functional areas ranging from community-based corrections to prisons, probation, parole, and local detention. The policies also deal with broad social issues including such questions as the appropriate use of sanctions and punishment. Specific areas of policy concern encompass capital punishment, correctional industries, prison crowding, correctional facility design, ex-offender employment, female offender services, health care for offenders, offender education and training, offenders with special needs, and private sector involvement in corrections. Appendixes contain the ACA's declaration of principles and a list of correctional standards manuals.