American Correctional Association Announces First National Summit Event in Mississippi Focused on Suicide Prevention in Corrections

The event will bring together correctional and healthcare leaders to examine the Mississippi Department of Corrections' success in suicide reduction and lessons for correctional systems nationwide

JACKSON, Miss., Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Correctional Association (ACA) today announced Insights for Impact, the first national summit coming to Mississippi in early 2027 to examine the Mississippi Department of Corrections' (MDOC) progress in reducing suicide and to explore how lessons from that experience can inform suicide prevention efforts across correctional systems nationwide.

The summit will bring together correctional and healthcare leaders, behavioral health experts, and community partners for a national dialogue on suicide prevention in corrections. Through data-driven discussions and firsthand perspectives, participants will examine the strategies, practices, implementation approaches, and systems-level changes that can help correctional system identify opportunities for meaningful and sustainable progress.

"Since 2021, the Mississippi Department of Corrections has made measurable progress in reducing suicide within its correctional system, with 11 deaths in 2021 compared to only 2 deaths so far in this 2026 calendar year—an 82% reduction," said Robert Green, executive director of the American Correctional Association. "These numbers reflect the impact of sustained attention, system-level strategies, stronger behavioral health efforts, and a commitment to identifying and addressing the factors that contribute to suicide in correctional environments. Insights for Impact will give correctional and healthcare leaders an opportunity to examine that data, understand what contributed to this progress, and consider how those lessons may inform suicide prevention efforts in systems across the country."

Insights for Impact will feature new findings and outcome data from Mississippi, giving participants an opportunity to examine the progress made by the MDOC and the factors behind it. The summit will explore the role of behavioral healthcare, screening and assessment, crisis intervention, data and analytics, staff training, community partnerships, continuity of care, and other components of a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention in correctional settings.

The conversation will extend beyond identifying promising practices to examine what it takes to put them into action. Sessions will address leadership and culture change, staff engagement, suicide prevention protocols, clinical treatment pathways, and other strategies that can strengthen prevention efforts and improve outcomes. By bringing together leaders and practitioners from across the country, the summit will create a forum for examining not only what has changed in Mississippi, but how correctional systems can translate lessons learned into sustainable practices within their own facilities.

The MDOC, in partnership with its statewide healthcare provider VitalCore, has implemented a range of initiatives to strengthen behavioral healthcare and suicide prevention throughout Mississippi's correctional facilities. As part of that effort, MDOC and VitalCore brought in certified trainers from the ACA to provide Correctional Behavioral Health Certificaion (CBHC) training, equipping correctional and behavioral health staff with essential skills for identifying, managing, and responding to mental health needs.

"You can't let people kill themselves, and VitalCore really improved our behavioral health programs to a point where people can learn to control their emotions and be a stable person," said MDOC Commissioner Burl Cain. "In doing so, we're reducing suicide, we're reducing stress in the prisons, and we're making the prisons safer. We've created an environment for change."

Insights for Impact will conclude with a national discussion on the future of correctional suicide prevention, emphasizing continued collaboration among correctional leadership, healthcare professionals, facility staff, and the ACA to strengthen practices and protect the health and safety of individuals in custody.

"I've looked back on my time in Mississippi, and the most important thing of all was Governor Tate Reeves because he brought me here," said Cain. "He wanted to see his prison system change for the better because he got elected to benefit Mississippi. He's brought massive industry to Mississippi, but he also brought peace and harmony to his prisons."

A pre-summit presentation of the work will be held during the ACA Winter Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, January 7–10, 2027. Additional information regarding the date, location, speakers, and registration for the Insights for Impact Summit will be announced at a later date.

About American Correctional Association

The American Correctional Association (ACA) stands as a leading voice in professional corrections. Rooted in a commitment to public safety, human dignity, and evidence-based practices, ACA promotes excellence in correctional management through accreditation, education, research, and advocacy. It serves as a unifying force for correctional professionals across the nation and around the globe, fostering accountability, leadership, and continuous improvement. For more information, visit the website at www.aca.org.

SOURCE American Correctional Association