The Corrections Technology Association (CTA) is a public, non-profit network of professionals actively involved in leveraging technology in the field of Corrections. Members of our association consist primarily of Chief Information Officers, IT Directors and operational and administrative staff from State and Provincial Departments of Correction, as well as from Federal, county and local correctional agencies.

Since 1999 CTA has provided a forum to promote exchange of information, experience and knowledge among correctional agencies. Through the years, the association has actively led development of standards and promoted collaboration and sharing of data and systems across states. CTA's annual conference offers its members an unsurpassed opportunity to learn of new technologies and, above all else, affords corrections technologists the opportunity to network with their peers.

To all of our members, sponsors and colleagues:

The dates of the upcoming CTA Annual Business Meeting are May 3-6, 2009 in Albany, New York. That is right right around the corner.

I believe that in this year, our 10th as an Association, your presence at the CTA Annual Meeting will provide you and your agency with the best ROI that you are likely to realize this year. The CTA Board has put together an exciting and opportunistic agenda that will provide you with the best information available in today's market place to help you address the vexing issues of how to cut costs, improve service delivery and support your agency's vision and mission.

This year, the CTA Board has developed special training initiatives that will be presented as Workshops that will allow participants to receive a CTA Certificate of Knowledge for participating. These special workshops will provide you with the latest information about developing national standards such as the National Information Exchange Model (NIEM). We will also put you in the driver's seat in learning about the latest cost-cutting technologies within corrections and the most recent developments with Green Technology that are sweeping the industry.

The attached Pre-Conference Brochure highlights some of these exciting initiatives. Your participation this year in CTA will provide immeasurable benefits that you can bring back to your agency. At $295, we are the best bargain out there for corrections technology staff.

The CTA Board has been actively pursuing a national agenda that will assist our members as well. Within the past few months, the Board voted to become a member of the IJIS Institute, one of the premier organizations in the country that supports Public Safety and Integrated Justice initiatives. The Board has also continued to work closely with members of ASCA and with our colleagues at BJA to further the interests of corrections technology. We hope that within the coming year that we will also become more closely associated with both the American Correctional Association (ACA) and the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA). IJIS has already indicated that they will attend this year's meeting to update us on the latest developments with NIEM.

I firmly believe that if you really consider all that you derive from your participation in CTA that you will be able to develop a strong and effective business case to present to your agency and I look forward to seeing you in Albany New York, May 3-6, 2009.

As colleagues and friends, I wish you all the very best.

With regards