Correctional Leaders Association Currently Accepts Nominations For The 2023 Tom Clements Award And The 2023 Michael Francke Award. 

Awards will be presented during the upcoming 2023 CLA All Directors Symposium November 14th - 17th, 2023 in Indian Wells, CA.

Below you can read about these awards and the amazing men they were named for. Nominations can be made for either of these awards through this SurveyMonkey link. A PDF of the nomination form is included below to help in your preparation. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

All nominations must be received by EOD on October 10th, 2023.

Tom Clements Innovation and Achievement Award

On March 19, 2013 at about 8:30 PM, the doorbell rang at the front of the home of Tom Clements, then Colorado’s Executive Director of Corrections. Tom opened the door and was instantly shot by an unhinged and extremist parole absconder. His assassination sent shockwaves throughout the corrections community in Colorado and throughout the nation.

In 2014, the Correctional Leaders Association, formerly ASCA, established an annual award in honor and memory of Tom Clements to celebrate his contributions to the corrections profession.

The Tom Clements Award honors a sitting correctional administrator who embodies the virtues demonstrated in Tom’s life—vision, dedicated mission, progressive reform, and outstanding innovations and achievements to improve our profession.

Nominations may be submitted by

• CLA Members and Associates,

• A subordinate of the nominee,

• A Governor, Sheriff (if a county member), Mayor (if a city member), or their designees.

 Requirements for the nomination of a director to receive the award are:

    • Director in CLA for at least two years, and demonstration that he/she regularly participates and contributes to CLA events and/or projects.

    • Demonstration of outstanding vision, mission, progressive reform, and innovation, as well as other accomplishments and service to the Association, his or her jurisdiction and community, and to the field of corrections at large.

* A list of eligible nominees is shown on the attached form and within the SurveyMonkey link.

 Tom Clements Summary and Bio

Michael Francke Career Achievement Award

Michael Francke, Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Corrections, then Director of the Oregon Department of Corrections, was stabbed to death in the line of duty in January 1989. Throughout his years as a corrections professional in the 1980s, Michael was a visionary who cared deeply about improving the corrections system. He was a progressive leader whose legacy will forever influence future generations of corrections professionals striving to make a difference. 

In 1992, the Correctional Leaders Association, formerly ASCA, established an annual award in memory of Michael Francke. This award is bestowed upon an outstanding CLA Member who embodies Michael Francke’s vision, philosophy, and contributions to the field of corrections.  

Nominations may be submitted by:

• CLA Directors and Associates,

• A subordinate of the nominee,

• A Governor, Sheriff (if a county member), Mayor (if a city member), or their designees.

Requirements for receipt of the award are:

• Current CLA Director for at least two years

• Outstanding leadership, contribution, accomplishment, and service to the Correctional Leaders Association, his or her jurisdiction, and to the general field of corrections.

* A list of eligible nominees is shown on the attached form and within the SurveyMonkey link.

 Michael Francke Summary and Bio 

Again, nominations can be made for any and all of these awards through this SurveyMonkey link. A PDF of the nomination form is attached. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

 All nominations must be received by EOD on October 10th, 2023.

 PDF: 2023 Francke/Clements Nomination Form