Jason Sullivan Named Recipient of ACA’s Medal of Valor Award for 2006
Employee of Corrections Corporation of America’s Crossroads Correctional Facility is recognized for his courageous actions above and beyond the call of duty to protect the lives of inmates and fellow staff.
January 22, 2007, TAMPA, Florida – Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) announced that the American Correctional Association (ACA) has named CCA's Crossroads Correctional Facility employee Jason Sullivan as the recipient of the ACA Medal of Valor Award for 2006. Sullivan was honored at the ACA’s annual Winter Conference in Tampa, where he was presented with the Medal of Valor.
ACA's Medal of Valor is awarded annually to a person or persons in corrections who performed an act of extraordinary bravery and exceptional valor, involving imminent personal threat to their life, with knowledge of the risk, above and beyond the call of duty. Mr. Sullivan was nominated by Crossroads warden Jim MacDonald for his actions above and beyond the call of duty on January 7, 2006.
On that date, Sullivan, a lieutenant at the time, had responded with his officers to an inmate-on-inmate disturbance in a housing pod. Upon arrival, he and his officers placed themselves between the assailants and victims, preventing serious injury to any of the inmates. In the process, Sullivan was struck multiple times - without provocation or warning - by one of the assailant inmates, resulting in his jaw being broken in five places. Despite the significant injury sustained, Lt. Sullivan continued to maintain command of the situation, giving lawful orders to inmates and overseeing the successful lockdown of the unit. In all, the incident was quelled in approximately six minutes. It wasn’t until Lieutenant Sullivan received assurances that his officers would be taken care of that he relinquished command and reported for medical treatment as directed.
“His command presence was a major contributing factor to the quick resolution of a significant incident, without the loss of life,” said Crossroads Warden Jim MacDonald.. “Having since recovered from his serious injuries, I am proud to report that Mr. Sullivan has since been promoted to Captain, and he now carries his own shift.”
“We are proud for Jason Sullivan that a prestigious organization like the American Correctional Association has chosen to honor him with such a noble award,” stated CCA’s Chief Corrections Officer and Executive Vice President, Dr. Rick Seiter. “Captain Sullivan's actions exemplify the consummate corrections professional and embody the true meaning of what we refer to in our company as the CCA Way - a set of guiding principles that include integrity, respect, trust and loyalty.”
About CCA
The Company is the nation's largest owner and operator of privatized correctional and detention facilities and one of the largest prison operators in the United States, behind only the federal government and three states. The Company currently operates 64 facilities, including 40 company-owned facilities, with a total design capacity of approximately 72,500 beds in 19 states and the District of Columbia. The Company specializes in owning, operating and managing prisons and other correctional facilities and providing inmate residential and prisoner transportation services for governmental agencies. In addition to providing the fundamental residential services relating to inmates, the Company's facilities offer a variety of rehabilitation and educational programs, including basic education, religious services, life skills and employment training and substance abuse treatment. These services are intended to reduce recidivism and to prepare inmates for their successful re-entry into society upon their release. The Company also provides health care (including medical, dental and psychiatric services), food services and work and recreational programs.
About the ACA
Founded in 1870, the American Correctional Association is the oldest and largest international correctional association in the world. ACA serves all disciplines within the corrections profession and is dedicated to excellence in every aspect of the field. From professional development and certification to standards and accreditation, from networking and consulting to research and publications, and from conferences and exhibits to technology and testing. The ACA’s stated mission is that it provides a professional organization for all individuals and groups, both public and private that share a common goal of improving the justice system.