Avery-Mitchell Correctional Institution and Mountain View Correctional Institution are among another 10 N.C. Department of Adult Correction operations that have been awarded full accreditation by the American Correctional Association.
During the ACA’s Summer Conference, an accreditation panel of ACA commissioners voted to award full accreditation to:
- Albemarle Correctional Institution, New London
- Avery-Mitchell Correctional Institution, Spruce Pine
- Davidson Correctional Center, Lexington
- Franklin Correctional Center, Bunn
- Gaston Correctional Center, Dallas
- Greene Correctional Institution, Maury
- Mountain View Correctional Institution, Spruce Pine
- Southern Correctional Institution, Troy.
“ACA accreditation is recognition by correctional experts that these facilities meet or exceed national standards,” said Secretary of Adult Correction Todd Ishee. “Earning it is a tribute to the hard work and professionalism not only by the staff of each operation, but also by our Professional Standards team, which provides support to the field. ACA accreditation is truly a team effort.”
The total of fully accredited NCDAC operations is now 32 — including 27 of 54 prison facilities. The department’s strategic plan calls for accreditation of all NCDAC facilities and operations.
During onsite visits, ACA auditors comb through all operations at the facility to make sure that its policies and actual practices ensure safety and security, enhance staff morale, maintain accurate records, and contribute to effective and efficient functionality. If satisfied, audit teams recommend accreditation to a panel of ACA commissioners, which takes a harder look at the audit results before voting separately for each facility.
