From left is West Virginia Department of Corrections Assistant Commissioner Jan Chamberlain with the three American Correctional Association auditors who performed Pruntytown Correctional Center’s (PCC’s) accreditation audit. Auditors, all correctional professionals, who volunteer for audit duty included Nancy Koonce from Arkansas; Jean Moltz from Colorado; and, Gary Gremillion from Louisiana. At far right is a very pleased and proud PCC Warden James Ielapi.

Pruntytown Correctional Center (PCC) Warden James Ielapi made it clear: “The ACA accreditation has been a long-time goal for our facility. I am very proud of our staff at PCC for their hard work and dedication to meet this challenge. The inmate population helped to prepare for the ACA audit, as well.”

West Virginia Department of Corrections Assistant Commissioner Jan Chamberlain led the panel of auditors. Auditors are corrections workers who volunteer for this service and may be sent anywhere in the United States to perform audit accreditation/reaccreditation responsibilities.

PCC’s group included correctional consultant committee members Gary Gremillion from Cottonport, Louisiana, who served as chairman; Nancy Koonce from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, who mainly attended to areas specific to security, control, and filing; and, Jean Moltz from Buena Vista, Colorado, who audited medical support.

“Old facilities present their own unique challenges,” Gremillion said, “hats are off to the maintenance staff here.”

He went on to say that he had spoken with 50 inmates. They had no negative comments when they answered Gremillion’s questions regarding meals, programs, respect, and dignity.

Moltz thanked all Pruntytown staff for their hard work and made a definitive point to mention the lack of complaints about the medical areas she scrutinized.

“The social services are very well put together here,” Moltz said. “This includes education, religious services, and time inmates spend with a surprising number of volunteers. I am also impressed with how many inmates work.” Moltz also wanted to make sure to include support staff when commenting about how PCC works together. “All have been very gracious to us,” she said.

The facility was presented with over 500 mandatory and non-mandatory compliance items. The mandatory categories were all 100 percent. Half a point was deducted for two non-mandatory areas, giving the final score of 99.5 percent compliance.

PCC Deputy Warden Debra Minnix explained how important it is for the Taylor County communities to understand what Pruntytown is achieving with this accreditation. She wanted to share the following excerpt from the ACA website, which explains some of the reasons for this audit and a few of the many facets of preparing for successful compliance:

Improved staff training and development

ACA accreditation requires written policy and procedures to establish a training and staff development program for all categories of personnel. The training requirements address all pre-service, in-service and specialized training curricula with clear timelines, and considers the institution’s mission, physical characteristics, and inmate populations. The professional growth of employees is systematically developed through training plans that annually identify current job-related training needs in relation to position requirements, current correctional issues, new theories, techniques, and technologies.

Assessment of program strengths and weaknesses

An ACA audit involves assessments that cover administration and management, the physical plant, institutional operations and services, and inmate programs. It also assesses issues and concerns that may affect the quality of life at a facility such as staff training, adequacy of medical services, sanitation, use of segregation and detention, incidents of violence, crowding, offender activity levels, programs, and provisions of basic services that may impact the life, safety and health of inmates, as well as staff.

Defense against lawsuits

Accredited agencies have a stronger defense against litigation through documentation and the demonstration of a “good faith” effort to improve conditions of confinement.

Establishment of measurable criteria for upgrading operations

Through the standards and accreditation process agencies continuously review agency policy and procedure and have the ability to make necessary improvements when deficiencies are recognized.

Improved staff morale and professionalism

Accreditation is awarded to the “best of the best” in the corrections field. Staff have a better understanding of policies and procedures and this contributes to improved working conditions for staff.

Safer environment for staff and offenders

Administrative and line staff, as well as offenders, benefit from increased accountability, attention to physical plant issues and security procedures. Whether a facility or program, the accreditation process ensures a clear assessment of strengths and weaknesses

Reduced liability insurance costs

As an incentive for agencies willing to participate in ACA’s national accreditation program, insurance companies offer a reduction on liability insurance premiums to accredited facilities. Adherence to nationally recognized standards for fire, safety, health and training reduce claim expenses, allowing up to a 10 percent credit on liability insurance premiums. In most cases, the resulting savings on insurance premiums more than offset the actual cost of accreditation.

Performance-based benefits

Performance-based standards provide data that can be used in the day-to-day management of the facility reducing the occurrence of significant events. Accredited agencies, such as health care facilities, will find it easier to recruit and retain health care professionals. Not only does compliance provide agencies with a cost-effective, pro-active approach to offender health care, but it can be used to justify requests for additional funding.

In closing, Minnix stated, “It is of prime importance for us to work toward the goal of 100 percent compliance. In doing so, we have pulled together like a family, working toward one goal of excellence. Staff members learn many things during this process; the inmates do as well. And, along the way, Pruntytown Correctional Center proves it is a good neighbor for our community.”