Dear Members,
80 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP. 80 YEARS OF SERVICE. 80 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE.
Please join us for a truly historic celebration—the 80th Annual United States Deputy Wardens Association (USDWA) Conference, August 1 to August 6, 2027, in historic Philadelphia, Pennsylvania!
Eighty years is more than a milestone—it is a legacy. It represents eight decades of correctional leaders coming together to share knowledge, challenge conventional thinking, build lasting professional relationships, and strengthen the profession we have dedicated our careers to serving.
Our 80th Anniversary Conference will be a celebration of that legacy while looking boldly toward the future of corrections. We are bringing together correctional professionals from across the country for an unforgettable week of professional development, innovative learning opportunities, networking, fellowship, and family.
The United States Deputy Wardens Association is the only professional organization dedicated specifically to the Nation’s Deputy, Associate, and Assistant Wardens. As one of the oldest correctional associations in the country, the USDWA has built its reputation on the exchange of ideas, advancement of best practices, leadership development, and the strong bonds of camaraderie among correctional professionals.
For 80 years, our members have learned from one another, supported one another, and worked together to advance corrections. Now, we invite you to be part of the next chapter.
Experience Corrections—Past, Present, and Future
There may be no more fitting place to celebrate 80 years of correctional leadership than Philadelphia—the birthplace of the American penitentiary movement.
Philadelphia's extraordinary corrections history provides the backdrop for a conference designed to explore where our profession has been, where it is today, and where it is going. From the nation's earliest correctional institutions to innovative approaches shaping modern correctional operations, Philadelphia offers a unique opportunity to experience the evolution of corrections firsthand.
Our goal is not simply to revisit history, but to learn from it, build upon it, and introduce our members to innovative and groundbreaking approaches that can help shape the future of corrections.
Expect engaging speakers, thought-provoking discussions, meaningful professional connections, and opportunities to take ideas from the conference back to your agency and put them into action.
A Celebration for the Entire Family
The USDWA recognizes that our profession is demanding—and that the support of our families is an important part of our success. That is why family has always been an important part of the USDWA experience.
During this special 80th Anniversary Conference, we will offer activities and experiences designed for members, spouses, and children, providing everyone with opportunities to enjoy Philadelphia's rich history, culture, attractions, and hospitality.
Be Part of History
If you have attended previous USDWA conferences, we want to see you again! Help us make our 80th Anniversary Conference one of the most memorable gatherings in the history of the Association. Share your USDWA experience with colleagues and encourage other correctional leaders to become part of this extraordinary organization.
If you have never attended a USDWA conference, this is the year to join us. Come experience the professional development, fellowship, networking, family atmosphere, and sense of belonging that have sustained this organization for eight decades.
Eighty years ago, correctional leaders came together to create something lasting. Today, we have the privilege of carrying that legacy forward.
Join us in Philadelphia as we celebrate 80 years of leadership, 80 years of service, and 80 years of excellence—and together, help shape the next 80 years of corrections.
We look forward to welcoming you, your families, and correctional professionals from across the country to Philadelphia for this historic celebration.
80th Annual USDWA Conference
August 1–August 6, 2027
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Come celebrate the legacy. Experience the history. Shape the future.
We look forward to seeing you in Philadelphia!
Sincerely,
Patricia Powers, President
United States Deputy Wardens Association
