Standards

Since 1954, the American Correctional Association has published operational standards designed to enhance correctional practices for the benefit of inmates, staff, administrators, and the public.  In the decades since the Manual on Correctional Standards- First Edition was created, the Association has diversified and extended its standards and today publishes 22 different manuals for all areas of the field of corrections.  This includes dedicated manuals for the operation of differing facility types, including prisons, jails, juvenile correctional facilities, juvenile detention facilities, probation/parole agencies, halfway houses, and others.  Similarly, ACA publishes standards for correctional programs that impact multiple facilities such as correctional industries (manufacturing programs), food service, electronic monitoring, therapeutic communities, and central office administration.  Recently, the Association added new International Core Standards, designed to implement basic correctional practice on the international level.       

Across the United States and the world, the ACA standards have been integrated into routine operations in more than 1,300 facilities and agencies.  Tens of thousands of staff and inmates are impacted by the ACA standards on a daily basis.  For more information on the creation and monitoring of the ACA standards; individual standards manuals; updates and interpretations from the ACA staff; or to purchase the ACA standards, explore the links on this page.




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Below is the complete list of ACA Standards books and materials. 

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Core Jail Standards
This set of standards, especially applicable to small jails, was developed after rigorous field tests by the American Correctional Association in conjunction with the National Institute of Corrections, American Jail Association, National Sheriffs' Association, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Standards cover areas of safety, security, administration, and care including health care, programs and activities. Complying with this set of standards offers a method to achieve certification from the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections.

Item #619

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Perf-Based Stds, ACI 5th ed March 2021 - pdf
NEW 2021 UPDATED ACI 5TH EDITION. This exclusive product is the electronic version of Performance-Based Standards, Expected Practices, Adult Correctional Institutions Fifth Edition, now with 2021 updates and additions.* No longer will you need two books for your reference needs — this version includes the updates as they happen. The Fifth Edition includes expected practices covering the critical program areas for effective institutional management, safety procedures, security, rules and discipline, staff development, physical plant and health care services that are all searchable within the PDF for your convenience.

NOTE: This publication is in an electronic format and the link to the publication will be included on your emailed receipt. By purchasing this product, you agree that this publication will not be shared, reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means; electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from ACA.
*With this purchase, you will receive one free available update

Item #651E

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Perf-Based Stds, ACI 5th ed PRINT - March 2021
NEW 2021 UPDATED ACI 5TH EDITION. This exclusive product is the print version of Performance-Based Standards, Expected Practices, Adult Correctional Institutions Fifth Edition, now with 2021 updates and additions.* No longer will you need two books for your reference needs. The Fifth Edition includes expected practices covering the critical program areas for effective institutional management, safety procedures, security, rules and discipline, staff development, physical plant and health care services.
Regular price: 85.00
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Member discount: 18%
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Perf.-Based Standards for Adult Local Det., 4th
The release of this manual represents the culmination of countless hours of work by ACA's Standards and Accreditation department, standards committee and the Adult Local Detention Facility Working Group. This edition contains more than 400 standards covering more than 30 program areas including personnel, training, safety, sanitation, security, health care, and supervision.

Item #919

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Perf.-Based Standards for Adult Local Det., 5th *PRINT*
NEW 2023 UPDATED ALDF 5TH EDITION! This is the PRINTED version of Performance-Based Standards and Expected Practices for Adult Local Detention Facilities Fifth Edition. The release of this updated manual represents the culmination of countless hours of work by ACA's Standards and Accreditation department, performance-based standards committee, and the restrictive housing working group. This latest edition contains more than 400 standards covering more than 30 program areas including personnel, training, safety, sanitation, security, restrictive housing, health care, and supervision. ISBN 979-8-9850365-2-7
Regular price: 70.00
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Member discount: 21%
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Perf.-Based Standards for Adult Local Det., 5th - PDF
NEW 2023 UPDATED ALDF 5TH EDITION! This is the updated Electronic PDF version of Performance-Based Standards and Expected Practices for Adult Local Detention Facilities Fifth Edition. The release of this updated manual represents the culmination of countless hours of work by ACA's Standards and Accreditation department, performance-based standards committee, and the restrictive housing working group. This latest edition contains more than 400 standards covering more than 30 program areas including personnel, training, safety, sanitation, security, restrictive housing, health care, and supervision. ISBN 979-8-9850365-2-7



NOTE: This publication is in an electronic format and the link to the publication will be included on your emailed receipt. By purchasing this product, you agree that this publication will not be shared, reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means; electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from ACA.
Regular price: 70.00
Discounted member price: 55.00
Member discount: 21%
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Perf.-Based Standards for Therapeutic Communities
This manual offers specific requirements for the operation of a therapeutic community. Using the performance-based model, facilities are monitored for such areas as safety, security, treatment, and health care.

Item #967

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Performance Based Stds for Corr Industries, 2nd
This thorough update covers the standards governing the implementation and maintenance of a correctional industries program in a performance based manual. Includes all updates through August 2001. Contains standards which provide a clear set of guidelines on the daily operation and long-term planning of correctional industries.

Item #825

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Performance-Based Stand. for Juvenile Corr. Fac., 4th Ed.
This manual contains standards covering vital program areas including educational and vocational work programs, staff training, and admission and orientation.

Item #340

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Performance-Based Standards for Adult Probation & Parole
The fourth edition of Standards for Adult Probation and Parole Field Services has been published in the performance-based format. The result of two years’ diligent review and field testing by the Standards Committee and the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections, the updated manual reflects the changing landscape of community corrections and incorporates feedback from practitioners. There are 175 standards covering all major areas, including: offender behavior, compliance, supervision and responsibility; staff training and development; safety, security and efficiency; and community protection. The manual includes an outcome measures worksheet and easy-to-use reference/numbering charts comparing third-edition standards to this new edition.

Item #681

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Performance-Based Stds. for Adult Comm., 4th ed.
Focusing on achievable conditions versus practice, these updated standards examine the totality of conditions in a system. Updates standards for adult public or private agencies operating a community residential facility. Includes standards dealing with fire safety, health regulations, emergency preparedness, suicide prevention and intervention, administration and management, housing, operations and services, and offender programs.

Item #732

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Standards for Admin. of Correctional Agencies, 2nd ed.
Contains 139 standards covering 12 vital areas for the operation of the central offices or headquarters of correctional systems. Updated to include new standards on AIDS, sexual harassment, and training.

Item #335

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Standards for Adult Corr. Boot Camps
Contains 399 standards, including 34 mandatory standards. Covers all facets of adult boot camp programs including administration and management, physical plant, facility operations and services, training and staff development, and offender programs.

Item #292

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Standards for Adult Correctional Inst, 4th ed-Spanish
The Spanish edition of this popular manual contains all of the same information that is listed in the English version. This manual includes standards covering the critical program areas for effective institutional management, including safety procedures, security, rules and discipline, staff development, physical plant, and performance-based health care services.

Item #115

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Standards for Adult Parole Authorities, 2nd Ed.
Includes standards covering 13 program areas involved in parole decision-making.

Item #301

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Standards for Corr. Training Academies
Contains 103 standards for training facilities for correctional staff. Standards cover the administration and management of the facility, physical plant requirements, training, and staff development.

Item #324

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Standards for Juvenile Comm. Residential Facilities 3rd Ed
Includes 277 standards focusing on 20 important areas for operating programs and outlining residents' access to the surrounding community. Standards cover health and safety regulations, building and fire codes, safety and sanitation inspections, and dietary allowances.

Item #338

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Standards for Juvenile Day Treatment
Provides standards for the operation of community-based day treatment programs for juveniles and for local programmatic direction and control. Contains 205 standards, including 20 mandatory standards covering areas such as building and safety codes, sanitation and hygiene, safety and emergency procedures, food service, health care and supervision.

Item #336

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Standards for Juvenile Detention Fac., 3rd Ed.
Contains 376 standards covering security, training and staff development, management, work programs, and much more.

Item #334

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Stnds. for Electronic Monitor.
This manual contains 127 standards regulating electronic monitoring in community corrections. Mandatory standards cover offender participation in research, fire codes, and flammable, toxic and caustic materials. This offers a quality set of guidelines for agencies seeking to augment or upgrade their services, programs, and overall operation.

Item #291

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