Prisons in Valley among latest to be accredited

The Commission on Accreditation for Corrections has accredited seven more California prisons, bringing the total number accredited to 23.

The latest to be accredited: Avenal State Prison; California State Prison-Corcoran, California Medical Facility, California Men’s Colony near San Luis Obispo, California State Prison Los Angeles County, San Quentin State Prison, and Salinas Valley State Prison. All met all mandatory requirements and significantly exceeded the 90 percent mark for non-mandatory items.

California State Prison-Sacramento, California State Prison-Solano and Central California Women’s Facility near Chowchilla – accredited in 2012 – were re-accredited for three more years.

The California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison in Corcoran, Valley State Prison in Chowchilla, Calipatria State Prison, California Institution for Men, California Correctional Center, Pleasant Valley State Prison and RJ Donovan Correctional Facility have started the process of seeking accreditation in 2016.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation began the process in 2010. Its goal is to have all of its 34 institutions accredited by 2017. The American Correctional Association is the leading internationally recognized authority on corrections and its role in the criminal justice system.

The accreditation audit assesses prison management, including administrative and fiscal controls, staff training and development, the physical plant, safety and emergency procedures, conditions of confinement, rules and discipline, inmate programs, health care, food service, sanitation, and the provision of basic services.

This story was originally published August 25, 2015 at 12:30 PM with the headline "Prisons in Valley among latest to be accredited."