Several Florida Prison Facilities Receive Re-Accreditation

TALLAHASSEE -- Eight Florida prisons and six work release centers were recently re-accredited by the American Correctional Association (ACA).

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.

“This latest success is a testament to the professionalism of our employees, who continue to excel despite working in a difficult and stressful environment, during challenging economic times,” said Corrections Secretary Walter McNeil.

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 latest prison facilities to receive accreditation are:

• Broward Correctional Institution
• Everglades Correctional Institution
• Florida State Prison
• Franklin Correctional Institution
• Gainesville Correctional Institution
• Indian River Correctional Institution
• Martin Correctional Institution
• South Florida Reception Center

These work release facilities, where lower custody, soon-to-be-released inmates reside at night while they work in the community during the day, also received accreditation:

• Atlantic Work Release Center
• Panama City Work Release Center
• Pinellas Work Release Center
• Opa Locka Work Release Center
• Tarpon Springs Work Release center
• West Palm Beach Work Release Center

 The announcement was made on July 31, 2010 at the American Correctional Association’s summer Conference in Chicago.