Corrections_Today_Fall_2025_Vol.87_No.3

STANDARDS & ACCREDITATION

What accreditation is — and isn’t It Is: – A quality assurance process – Voluntary in most cases – Based on defined standards – Conducted by an independent body – Time-bound and renewable – A signal of trust and credibility It Is Not: – A government license or legal requirement (in most cases) – A guarantee of perfection – A one-time event – A certification of individual competency

– The same as certification (which applies to individuals or products) – A Commitment to Excellence Ultimately, professional accredi tation through a performance-based standards process is about more than compliance — it’s about commitment. A commitment to excellence, to safety, to continu ous improvement and to the people served by the organization. For correctional institutions and other professional organizations, accreditation is not just a milestone — it’s a mindset. It reflects a dedica tion to doing things the right way, for the right reasons and with the right results.

As the American Correctional Association has long championed, standards matter. They are the foundation upon which trust is built, performance is measured, and progress is made. In a world where expectations are high and accountability is essential, accredi tation is not just beneficial — it’s indispensable. CT

Kirk Raymond is the Director of Communications & Publications at the American Correctional Association in Alexandria, VA. For more information, contact Kirk Raymond at (703) 224-0093 or kraymond@aca.org.

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Support Center at 703-224-0115. Note: Accreditation status must be current to purchase this item.

Corrections Today | Fall 2025

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