The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office announced that the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center successfully passed its annual audit by the American Correctional Association (ACA) last week. The audit, which took place from August 25 through August 28, evaluates correctional facilities against a comprehensive set of national, performance-based standards.
Scope of the ACA Audit
The ACA audit assesses various aspects of a correctional facility, including administration, physical infrastructure, operations, security, offender programs, and staff training. The process involves inspections, policy reviews, and data collection to ensure the facility meets the highest standards of operation and care.
Standards and Accreditation Process
Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Lexi Douglas clarified that out of the 363 ACA standards, 60 are mandatory. However, one of those mandatory standards was deemed inapplicable, leaving 59 that the facility had to meet. Following the on-site audit, a detailed report will be prepared and sent to the ACA Commission, which will then conduct interviews with the detention center’s representatives before finalizing the accreditation process.
The audit and subsequent accreditation process are critical steps in ensuring that the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center maintains its status as a high-quality, secure facility that meets national correctional standards.
