NCJ Number
126141
Date Published
1989
Length
220 pages
Annotation
These American Correctional Association standards for adult institutions represent guidelines for the comprehensive improvement of correctional programs and provide a national framework for representing the needs and concerns of correctional institutions to public officials, corrections administrators, legislators, funding agencies, and the general public.
Abstract
The use of foundation or core standards for accreditation is an alternative approach to the accreditation process for adult institutions. Facilities audited under the foundation/core process must achieve 100 percent compliance with all foundation or core and certifiable mandatory standards, achieve at least 90 percent compliance with the standards, and submit plans of action or waiver requests for all applicable standards found in noncompliance. Facilities are expected to prove compliance with foundation or core standards by documenting that written policies and procedures to implement the standards' requirements are complete and current. Staff of each adult institution are allowed up to 2 years to assess compliance with applicable standards and to prepare for an audit. The foundation or core standards pertain to administration, organization, management, personnel, training and staff development, records, the physical plant, safety and emergency procedures, security and control, special management inmates, food service, sanitation and hygiene, health care, inmate rights, inmate rules and discipline, communication, mail and visiting, classification, inmate work programs, academic and vocational education, library services, recreation and inmate activities, religious services, social services, release preparation and temporary release, and citizen involvement and volunteers.