Administrative Review & Risk Management Division

American Correctional Association (ACA) Accreditation

In August 2014, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) was presented the ACA highest honor at the 144th Congress of Correction Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. Each year, the ACA awards the prestigious Golden Eagle Award to criminal justice agencies that have achieved accreditation of all facilities and departments under its jurisdiction.

ACA audits provide a three-year cycle of external auditing, an independent assessment of agency achievement of prison industry standards and federally mandated accreditation of correctional health care.

• Re-Accreditation – The three-year period during which the agency maintains and improves upon its compliance levels that were achieved at the time of the initial accreditation award.
  
  
• Units are responsible for maintenance of the ACA folders documenting policies, procedures, and practices.
  
  
• Regional Monitoring and Standards Coordinators and Central Office staff assist TDCJ units during the re-accreditation process. Technical guidance and support are provided to ensure compliance with agency policy, procedure, and applicable ACA standards.
  
  
• Central Office Review and Standards staff assist the Parole Division, the Manufacturing and Logistics Division, and the Correctional Training Department during the re-accreditation process. Central Office Review and Standards staff are also responsible for maintenance of the ACA folders documenting policies, procedures, and practices for Central Administration Standards.
  
  
• Central Office Review and Standards staff network with the national organization in scheduling and facilitating audits, and represents the agency at ACA Board of Commissioners hearings.

For more information:

Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Review & Standards
American Correctional Association (ACA)
Byron Ellisor, Manager
PO Box 99
Huntsville, Texas 77342-0099
Phone: (936) 437-3437
Fax: (936) 437-3478