Jefferson County detention facility awarded national Accreditation

Robert Garvey, Chairperson of the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections (CAC), recently announced the accreditation of the Jefferson County Detention Facility, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.  The award was presented in conjunction with the American Correctional Association Winter Conference in Nashville, Tennessee on January 30, 2006.

In presenting the award, Robert Garvey, Chairperson of the CAC, and Gwendolyn C. Chunn, President of the American Correctional Association (ACA), complimented the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office on its professional level of operation and its success in completing the accreditation process.  "We're proud of the accomplishments of the sheriff's office", said Division Chief Dave Walcher.  "This further energizes our commitment to focus on the ongoing professionalism and development of this organization."

The accreditation program is a professional peer review process based on national standards that have evolved since the founding of the association in 1870.  "Receiving accreditation is a testament to the professionalism of the Sheriff's Office and its employees," said Sheriff Ted Mink.  "We become better when we expose ourselves to examination by our peers."  The standards were developed by national leaders from the field of corrections, law, architecture, healthcare, and other groups who are interested in sound correctional management.

ACA standards address services, programs and operations essential to effective correctional management.  Through accreditation, the sheriff's office is able to maintain a balance between protecting the public and providing an environment that safeguards the life, health, and safety to staff and offenders.  Standards set by ACA reflect practical, up-to-date policies and procedures and function as a management tool for agencies and facilities throughout the world.