Commissioner Epps Assumes Leadership of Second Major Professional Organization

JACKSON, Miss. (Press Release) — Mississippi Department of Corrections Commissioner Christopher B. Epps, who is president of the American Correctional Association, now also leads another major professional organization dedicated to improving correctional services and practices.

Epps began a two-year term as president of the Association of State Correctional Administrators on Sunday at the close of ASCA’s business meetings in Salt Lake City.

“I appreciate the trust, respect and confidence of my peers,” said Epps, who will mark his 12th year as Mississippi’s corrections chief on Aug. 30. “I thank everyone for their prayers and support. Corrections is a tough and crucial field in our society today. Therefore, we should stop kicking the can down the road when it comes to determining whom we are mad at and whom we are afraid of.”

ASCA’s members include heads of corrections agencies in the 50 states and correctional facilities in Cook County (Chicago), Los Angeles County, the District of Columbia, New York City, Philadelphia, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, The Correctional Service of Canada, each province of Canada, and any United States territory, possession, and/or commonwealth.

Epps is believed to be the first person to simultaneously head both the ASCA and ACA.

“It is quite an honor,” said ASCA Co-Executive Director George Camp. “I think it demonstrates the great regard and respect his peers have for him.”

Epps has distinguished himself in other leadership roles with ASCA, including vice president and treasurer.

He also has a long history of affiliations with numerous other professional organizations, from which he has received many notable awards. On Monday, he was honored with the ACA’s Walter Dunbar Accreditation Achievement Award for his superior contributions to accreditation.

Epps’ two-year term as president of the ACA, the oldest and largest international correctional association with more than 20,000 members from 60 countries, ends in February.