Brown Creek Correctional Institution recommended for ACA accreditation

American Correctional Association auditors have recommended accreditation be awarded to Brown Creek Correctional Institution.

Brown Creek Correctional is the 52nd N.C. Department of Adult Correction facility or operation that has either been recommended or awarded ACA accreditation. NCDAC is pursuing the distinction for all its facilities and operations.

ACA auditors found Brown Creek Correctional meets 100% of mandatory practices and 99.5% of non-mandatory practices during their intensive review, conducted Oct. 27-29. The ACA Commission on Accreditation for Corrections will vote at a future meeting on granting formal accreditation to Brown Creek.

"I am extremely proud of our staff for the commitment and dedication they show every day," said Warden Sammy Heaton. "I also want to thank our department and South Central Region leadership, as well as our agency's accreditation and compliance specialists, for all the support and guidance they've provided throughout this process."

Brown Creek Correctional houses approximately 530 men in minimum custody. It is a designated reentry facility for people having less than two years remaining on their sentences. Rehabilitative educational and vocational opportunities available there range from high school equivalency to trade skills such as masonry, carpentry and plumbing through South Piedmont Community College. Work opportunities include a Correction Enterprises metal plant.

ACA audits of performance-based standards evaluate fundamental correctional practices that:

• ensure the safety and security and security of staff and people in custody
• enhance staff morale
• improve record maintenance and data management capabilities
• and improve the functioning of the facility.

As part of the accreditation process, ACA auditors spend three days conducting visual inspections, reviewing policies and procedures, and evaluating the work being done to ensure best practices are met at the prison.

The NCDAC Strategic Plan calls for ACA accreditation of all facilities and operations.

# # #

Related Topics: