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Shelby County Jail Receives National Accreditation for Inmate Health Services

Release Date: March 10, 2004

Shelby County Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr. and Memphis and Shelby County Health Department Director Yvonne Madlock announced today that the Shelby County Jail has met national accreditation standards for providing quality health care for inmates. The accreditation has been awarded by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC).

“This is another crucial step we've taken to ensure inmates and their families that we are providing the best health care possible at the Shelby County Jail. This accreditation demonstrates the professionalism and dedication of our staff who serve those in our care and custody,” said Sheriff Luttrell.

The National Commission on Correctional Health Care is an independent organization that is supported by 38 national heath, law and corrections groups, including the American Medical Association and the American Nurses' Association.

The medical services at the Shelby County Jail are provided by Correctional Medical Services (CMS) through a contract with the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department. Health Department Director Yvonne Madlock says the accreditation sends a clear message to the community.

“Our combined staffs, the Shelby County Jail, the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department and C. M. S., the contracted medical provider, have worked tirelessly to reach this significant goal. It speaks to our commitment to provide all citizens of Shelby County, especially those in our care at the Shelby County Jail, with quality health care services that reflect the best practices of jail medical facilities across the country,” said Ms. Madlock.

Correctional Medical Services provides medical care to 296 correctional facilities in 25 states. To be accredited, CMS had to meet 68 care standards at both the men's facility downtown at 201 Poplar and the women's facility in east Shelby County at 1602 Haley Road near the Shelby County Correctional Center.

“The medical staff at the Shelby County Jail is to be commended for achieving this accreditation. Meeting these standards is not easy and it shows that the team of healthcare professionals at the jail is committed to providing the best possible care to inmate patients in Shelby County,” said Louis C. Tripoli, M.D., Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs for Correctional Medical Services.

Among the care standards met for the accreditation are:

“This accreditation is an important step to elevate the Shelby County Jail to be one of the best operated facilities in the country. This recognition from NCCHC is an indication that we are on course in our strategic plan to improve every operational division of our jail facilities,” added Sheriff Luttrell.

The accreditation rating will be up for renewal in 2007.

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