The members of APCTO are committed to the highest level of professionalism in corrections which
are embodied in the following principles.

• Corrections facilities must be secure, safe, clean and well maintained.
   
• Legal and ethical standards must be adhered to by those engaged in the criminal justice profession.
   
• An environment must be created that offers programmatic opportunities for offenders which encourage social responsibility and accountability.
   
• Facility programs and operations must support the successful transition into society of offenders.
   
• Substance abuse programs and psychological treatment must be offered for those individuals that have a demonstrated need.
   
• Opportunities which fulfill offenders ongoing needs for spiritual and ethical development must be available.
   
• Offenders should participate in work opportunities that develop a strong work ethic and job skills.
   
• National standards for meeting the healthcare needs of he offenders must be met.
   
• Healthy and nutritionally balanced meals that meet national standards must be provided.
   
• Employees and managers in a correctional facility must of a high moral and ethical caliber with skills or the willingness to learn the methods and practices to meet the requirements of the profession.
   
• Correctional facility operations should meet the standards for accreditation by the American Correctional Association, Correctional Education Association, National Commission on Correctional Health Care, and as may be required by contract, the International Standards Organization and/or the United Nations Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners and/or the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.
   
• Competition has a positive effect in corrections and results in higher levels of quality services and efficiencies in costs, achieving outcomes that represent the best value for the taxpayer.