About ACCCA

The American Catholic Correctional Chaplains Association is the official Catholic organization which supports and certifies correctional chaplains and is committed to promoting and securing Restorative Justice for victims, offenders, and the community.

The ACCCA is a national Catholic organization committed to promoting the principles of restorative justice for all involved with, or affected by, the criminal justice system. Restorative Justice is bible based and views crime as affecting victims, offenders, their families and the community at large.

The ACCCA is a community of women and men involved in the specialized ministry to the incarcerated, bringing together the best resources and personnel to the task of healing and restoration.

The ACCCA members network and collaborate with other professionals and volunteers in the field of criminal justice.

The ACCCA is identified with two “parent” groups. The first is the Catholic community in the United States through the USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops). The second is the ACCA (American Correctional Chaplains Association).

As Catholics involved in correctional or detention ministry, ACCCA members have their voices and concerns heard through participation in the ACCA, which in turn is an affiliate of the ACA (American Correctional Association).

ACCCA members receive their support locally through their diocese and professed religious communities. An increasing number of dioceses have established offices of prison/detention ministry, coordinating and supporting services in their local area. ACCCA strongly supports these efforts.

The ACCCA is associated with the International Commission of Catholic Prison Pastoral Care (ICCPPC) which is headquartered in the Netherlands.