This past Wednesday, staff and administration of the Winston-Choctaw County Regional Correctional Facility (WCCRCF) held a celebration highlighting the fact that the detention center scored a perfect 100% in the latest American Corrections Association accreditation audit. According to Warden Neal Higgason, the ACA ‘sets the gold standard in the United States for correctional conditions.”
The Mississippi Department of Corrections mandates these audits which take place every three years and assess the facility in a number of different areas. Higgason added that to house state inmates WCCRCF must stay ACA accredited; WCCRCF has the capacity to house 304 state inmates and 82 county inmates.
The audit team, consisting of Marilyn McAuley, Brenda Boyd, RN and Gregory Knowlin, looked at 533 different standards which fall into several different categories, such as security, sanitation, healthcare and programs (educational, vocational, religious opportunities). WCCRCF offers adult education and GED programs under the umbrella of East Mississippi Community College.
The auditors also look at housing conditions which include: temperature, space per person, recreational space, water temperature, amount of available light, and more. Higgason stated that the auditors look at several things for each standard: compliance since the last audit, current compliance, documentation, and they also go into the facility to observe conditions and interact with inmates.
All three members of the audit team spoke very highly of the facility and staff stating that it was extremely well run. McAuley commented that it was one of the most enjoyable audit experiences that she had ever had.
Comments ranged from impressions about the organization and cleanliness of the facility to the knowledge and accessibility of staff members, with all comments being extremely positive.
Higgason stated that this achievement shows a commitment to excellence and making the ACA standards a way of life at WCCRCF. He added that the audit results show that the facility is secure and inmates are being well-treated. Higgason also said that complying with ACA standards greatly reduces the likelihood of successful lawsuits. It also ensures that the facility can maintain its contract to house state inmates which is important, as the per diem for those inmates makes up the majority of funding for the prison.
Sheriff Jason Pugh stated that WCCRCF is a huge benefit to the county, as the county jail is housed there at a much lower cost than normal. Also, inmates provide labor such as
sanitation crews and janitorial services in the Courthouse and other facilities that the county would otherwise have to pay for.
With the completion of this audit the Winston-Choctaw County Regional Correctional Facility is deemed one of the top correctional facilities in the State of Mississippi.
Refreshments for the closing ceremony were provided by: Carnell’s, Jerry’s Flowers, Little Caesar’s Pizza of Louisville, Kathy’s Chicken Basket, and No Way Jose of Starkville.
