American Correctional Association auditors have recommended accreditation be awarded to Eastern Correctional Institution.
Eastern Correctional is the 46th N.C. Department of Adult Correction facility that has either been recommended or awarded ACA accreditation. NCDAC is pursuing the distinction for all its facilities and operations.
ACA auditors found Eastern Correctional met 100% of mandatory practices and 98.5% of non-mandatory practices during their intensive inspections, conducted Feb. 3-5. The ACA Commission on Accreditation for Corrections will vote to formally grant accreditation at a future meeting.
“The staff of Eastern Correctional Institution worked tirelessly for this accomplishment. They’re dedicated, and I’m very proud of them,” said Warden David May. “I also want to thank our department and East Region leadership, as well as DAC’s accreditation and compliance specialists, for all the support and guidance they’ve provided throughout this process.”
The facility in Greene County houses approximately 450 male offenders in close custody. Offenders have opportunities for rehabilitative educational and vocational programs ranging from high school equivalency to commercial food service to HVAC.
ACA audits of performance-based standards evaluate fundamental correctional practices that
- ensure staff and offender safety and security
- enhance staff morale
- improve record maintenance and data management capabilities
- and improve the function of the facility.
As part of the accreditation process, ACA auditors spent 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.
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