Submit a nomination for the Excellence in Corrections Awards

The Excellence in Corrections Awards, previously known as the Correctional Employee of the Year Awards Ceremony, has become one of the annual premier events uplifting the correctional community. The awards provide an opportunity to publicly recognize the dedication and contributions of those who dedicate themselves to the essential work of corrections and inspire the entire correctional community as examples of encouragement and inspiration.

Nominations should reflect acts performed from the calendar year 2025, meet the criteria, and contain detailed narratives to support each nomination. The Selection Committee will require this information and will accept any substantiating evidence to aid in the decision-making process.

Please review the Excellence in Corrections Awards Criteria Guidelines before submitting nominations as candidates are selected carefully. In an effort to preserve the prestigious nature of the ceremony, the Selection Committee has decided to recognize Meritorious Recognition, Medal of Honor, and Medal of Valor recipients.

The Excellence in Corrections Awards Ceremony consists of three (3) levels:

MEDAL OF HONOR - The Highest Award

Awarded to the correctional employee who demonstrates extraordinary heroism or heroic actions above and beyond the call of duty, in the face of certain and imminent danger to life and limb.

The Medal of Honor award has historically been reserved for those acts which:

• are performed in the course of a dangerous incident;
• are performed to save/protect the life of a colleague, incarcerated individual, or member of the
• public;
• are performed in selfless disregard for the employee’s own safety;
• often result in great cost to the employee (including loss of life).

Medal of Honor recipients should display the highest levels of professionalism, competence, leadership, and clear thinking during a dangerous incident while on or off duty.

MEDAL OF VALOR - The Second-Highest Award.

Awarded to the correctional employee who demonstrates actions above and beyond the call of duty, where imminent danger presents to self or others, demonstrating bravery.

The Medal of Valor award has historically been reserved for those acts which:

• are performed in the course of a dangerous incident;
• are performed to save/protect the life of a colleague, incarcerated individual, or member of the
• public;
• are performed at a high degree of risk to the employee;
• are performed on duty or off duty.

MERITORIOUS RECOGNITION - The Third-Highest Award

Awarded to the correctional employee who demonstrates significant actions under difficult conditions above and beyond the call of duty, but whose actions may not reach the level of Honor or Valor.

The Meritorious Recognition Award has historically been reserved for those acts which:

• are performed in addition to the regular course of duty;
• demonstrate high levels of professionalism, selflessness, and competence;
• are performed on duty or off duty.

GROUP AWARD

Any of the above awards may be awarded as a Group award - for example, “Medal of Valor - Group Award.”

This has historically been awarded in situations involving multiple employees whose individual roles cannot be measured or weighed against the actions of other employees involved in the incident. Instead, it is for those employees who, acting in concert with each other, display a high level of teamwork in addition to their actions.

PLEASE NOTE: Nominations should be based on an individual’s or group’s response to a critical incident or outstanding performance. They should not be based on an employee’s response to an “everyday” incident encountered regularly, nor should a candidate be nominated for an act considered an expected course of action committed in the daily performance of an employee’s duties.

Beginning this year, the Selection Committee will consider only nominations of active corrections employees for day-to-day corrections functions and operations, including acts or conduct performed while off duty.

FOR EXAMPLE: Awards are traditionally not presented for incidents involving the application of a Heimlich maneuver or providing CPR for treatment that is not beyond the range of their expected duties and capabilities, unless there are extenuating facts or circumstances that must be articulated in the submission. Beginning this year, Narcan administration will be included in these criteria.

Please forward any press clippings and media coverage with the submission if available.