Go to Standards
Accreditation is a system of verification that correctional agencies/facilities comply with national standards promulgated by the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections (CAC) and the American Correctional Association (ACA). Accreditation is achieved through a series of reviews, evaluations, audits and hearings.
ACA standards are the national and international benchmark for the effective operation of correctional systems throughout the United States and Internationally and are necessary to ensure that correctional facilities, programs, and agencies are operated professionally. They address services, programs and operations essential to good correctional management, including administrative and fiscal controls, staff training and development, physical plant, safety and emergency procedures, sanitation, food service, and rules and discipline. Standards reflect practical, up-to-date policies and procedures that safeguard the life, health and safety of staff and offenders.
Standards are classified into two categories: mandatory and non-mandatory. To be awarded accreditation, applicants must comply with 100% of the applicable mandatory standards and at least 90% of applicable non-mandatory standards. However, the CAC evaluates the conditions of confinement/quality of life as well as standards compliance levels in making their decisions on awarding accreditation.
Yes. The ACA currently publishes 29 different accreditation manuals, each of which applies to a specific kind of correctional facility or program. The standards cover programs for adults and juveniles housed in correctional facilities, detention centers and community correctional programs. There are also standards for probation and parole agencies, health care programs and electronic monitoring programs.
On the ACA website, the minutes from the Performance-Based Standards Committee is posted. Manuals are updated periodically, and a Standards Supplement is printed periodically. Contact your ACA Accreditation Specialist or the Director of the Standards and Accreditation Department.
The Performance-Based Standards Committee reviews proposals for revisions, deletions and additions to the standards twice a year in conjunction with the ACA conferences. Proposals are solicited and received from the field.
Agency staff should contact a Standards & Accreditation Specialist to obtain the necessary materials to implement the accreditation process. Once this contact is made, the agency and ACA staff work together to determine the applicable manual of standards and the appropriate fees. A contract is then executed. To contact a Standards & Accreditation specialist please refer to the “About US; Meet the Staff” tab. What Accreditation specialist you are assigned to is based on what state and organization they oversee.
Reaccreditation is a continuation of initial accreditation. It occurs every three years. Since standards are being revised constantly, it may involve compliance with some new or updated standards. The process does include a standards compliance audit and another accreditation hearing. After each audit, a facility can expect to receive a Performance Monitoring Visit between the 12th and 18th following the audit.
ACA auditors are corrections professionals who are selected and trained by ACA. The average auditor has worked in the field of corrections for over 18 years and has experience operating and evaluating the type of facility being audited.
