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Shelby County Jail Division Receives National Accreditation

Release Date: August 14, 2006

The Shelby County Jail officially received National Accreditation from the American Corrections Association this past weekend, the first time ever in the history of the men’s facility which opened at 201 Poplar Avenue in 1981.

“This is a very significant event for Shelby County.  Only about 13 percent of the jails and prisons in America meet the standards for accreditation.  I commend our staff at the jail for their hard work and dedication to make the Shelby County Jail one of the best run facilities in America,” said Sheriff Luttrell.

“Receiving accreditation by the A.C.A. demonstrates the commitment and professionalism of those who work at the jail.  They have worked tirelessly to receive this national recognition,” said Chief Jailer James E. Coleman.

This past Saturday, August 12, Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr. and Chief Jailer Coleman, along with others on the jail accreditation team, attended the 136th Annual Congress of Corrections in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Sheriff Luttrell and the others appeared before a review panel to answer questions about the almost 500 safety and security standards required for the jail to be accredited.

The final process towards accreditation happened this past June after a team from the A.C.A. personally visited the jail to review the policies, procedures and the staff’s knowledge of operations.

Reviewers found the men’s facility met 100% of the 41 mandatory A.C.A. standards and at least 90% of the 413 non-mandatory standards designed for the safety and security of inmates and staff at the jail.

During this past weekend’s accreditation review, particular interest was given to the housing of juveniles who await trial on adult charges.

Sheriff Luttrell and the accreditation team assured the five-member A.C.A. panel that the jail has strict guidelines about the safety of inmates below the age of 18.  Juveniles are physically kept away from adult inmates and have separate programs and religious services while they are being held in jail.

The plan to accredit the Shelby County Jail East women’s facility at 1602 Haley Road in East Memphis is still underway.  A.C.A. officials will visit the women’s jail in the coming months to review operational standards at that facility.

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