Correctional facility earns national accreditation

Feb 11

Written By Staff

Pictured left to right: Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young, Deputy Kyle Fennema, Lieutenant Emily Kalman, Chief Deputy Lyndsie Cole, and Captain Brad Lyons
Photo courtesy of Kent County Sheriff’s Office

The Kent County Sheriff’s Office Correctional Facility has received national accreditation through the American Corrections Association (ACA), becoming the only adult jail in Michigan to currently hold this distinction. Of the more than 3,500 local jails in the United States, only roughly 7% earn the ACA accreditation.

The accreditation provides independent confirmation that the Correctional Facility is being operated with professional oversight and accountability, guided by nationally recognized standards. It reinforces transparency and consistency in how individuals are cared for while in custody, improves operational efficiency, supports staff professionalism, and enhances the overall safety of the facility and the community.

ACA accreditation is a voluntary, rigorous process that evaluates facility operations against nationally recognized best practices that exceed basic state regulatory requirements. These standards cover safety and security, use of force, staff training and professionalism, medical and mental health care, inmate services, emergency preparedness, administrative practices, and facility management.

Achieving and maintaining accreditation requires an extensive multi-year self-evaluation, documentation review, staff training verification, and an on-site audit by independent correctional professionals. Once accredited, facilities must undergo re-accreditation every three years to demonstrate continued compliance with ACA’s performance-based standards.

Founded in 1870, the American Corrections Association is the oldest and largest professional corrections association in the world, dedicated to establishing nationally recognized performance-based standards for adult and juvenile correctional facilities, detention centers, programs, and agencies. ACA currently accredits more than 1,300 facilities, including prisons, jails, and community corrections programs across the United States and internationally.

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