Florida Prisons and Work Release Centers Re-accredited by American Correctional Association

TALLAHASSEE – Nine prisons and two work release centers were fully accredited or re-accredited by the American Correctional Association (ACA)/Commission on Accreditation for Corrections (CAC) on July 22, 2012 at the ACA Summer Conference in Denver, Colorado.

“Thank you to all of the Wardens, Assistant Wardens and their entire staff for their dedication and commitment demonstrated to the accreditation process,” said Secretary Ken Tucker.  “This certificate should be a continual reminder of the level of professionalism and dedication achieved by the staff of the Florida Department of Corrections.”

ACA accreditation standards are the national benchmark for the effective operation of correctional systems throughout the United States, and Florida prisons, work release centers and probation and parole facilities consistently pass accreditation standards with marks in the high 90s.

Some of the areas reviewed during the accreditation process include security, health services, chaplaincy, food services, segregation, mail and visiting. The facilities are reviewed to see how well they are complying with established ACA standards that represent the highest level of correctional practices.

The following facilities were successfully re-accredited, with the exception of Suwannee Correctional Institution which is receiving its first time accreditation.  These facilities will retain accreditation for the next three years.

• Century Correctional Institution
• Cross City Correctional Institution
• Lake City Work Release Center
• Lancaster Correctional Institution
• Polk Correctional Institution
• Reception & Medical Center
• Santa Fe Work Release Center
• Santa Rosa Correctional Institution
• Sumter Correctional Institution
• Suwannee Correctional Institution
• Zephyrhills Correctional Institution

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As Florida's largest state agency, the Department of Corrections employs more than 25,000 members statewide, oversees more than 100,000 inmates and supervises nearly 150,000 offenders in the community.

Partnering for Fewer Crimes, Less Victims, Safer Communities. Visit our Web site at www.dc.state.fl.us. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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