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Sheriff’s Deputy Jailer Receives National Accreditation Honors

Release Date: July 10, 2004

A Deputy Jailer with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office has been chosen as the first woman C.C.O. (Certified Correction Officer) in the state of Tennessee by the A.C.A. (American Corrections Association). The A.C.A. is an organization which certifies institutions for having state of the art care standards for jail/prison inmates. The C.C.O. award was given by the C.C.P. (Certified Correctional Professional) program.

Corrections Industry workers who earn the certification must pass rigorous examinations concerning inmate detention procedures. Officer Sonya Lane, who has served at the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office for the past 15 years, received this prestigious award on May 26, 2004.

“Deputy Jailer Lane is an exemplary employee. She took the initiative, on her own, to study for this certification. She has proven her knowledge of jail policies and procedures and I commend her for her outstanding efforts,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.

Officer Lane began the certification process in February, 2004. After many hours of corrections industry training, she completed comprehensive examinations that included topics such as inmate rights, ethics, inmate legal issues and a host of other procedures.

The C.C.O. designation is an indication of demonstrated professionalism involving such activities as managing and communicating with both staff and offenders, maintaining a healthy, safe and sanitary environment, and maintaining control over hazardous materials, equipment, and tools.

Officer Lane currently serves with the A.C.A. accreditation team at Jail East and the downtown facility at 201 Poplar. The team is reviewing hundreds of jail policies and procedures in hopes that the jail will receive national accreditation. The jail’s medical unit already received national accreditation earlier this year.

“When I heard about the certification program, I knew that it would benefit me and the Sheriff’s Office. I made a personal commitment to study for the exams and complete all requirements. Because I am part of the A.C.A. accreditation team, I knew this would bring national recognition to the Jail Division at the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office,” said Officer Lane.

Deputy Jailer Lane will be honored by Sheriff Luttrell and other command staff members of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at a ceremony later this week. The event will be held on Wednesday, July 14, 2004, at 11:30 a.m. at Jail East.

Jail East is located at 6201 Haley Road. The presentation will be in the “multi-purpose” room at the facility.

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