After a standards compliance audit from The American Correctional Association on Nov. 2-4, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) will be awarded accreditation at the American Correctional Association (ACA) winter conference in January.

During the ACA’s visit, the auditors, Cheryl Turner, David Galione, and Jose Martinez spent time with and assessed the NCSO facility through audits, reviews, hearings and evaluations to ensure the agency was in compliance with the nationally established standards. The entire inspection was based upon 383 standards that were thoroughly analyzed by the auditors.

The 383 standards consisted of 60 mandatory standards that involved life, health and safety issues, which had to be passed with a score of 100 percent and 323 non-mandatory standards which had to be passed with a score of 80 percent. It is evident that the auditors were pleased with more than just the effective security, knowledge of employees, and cleanliness of the facility, due to the high score they awarded

The NCSO received a score of 100 percent on mandatory standards and a 100 percent on non-mandatory standards and will officially be awarded the accreditation in January at the American Correctional Association (ACA) winter conference.

The scores were disclosed at the end of the audit in a ceremony held and presided over by Sheriff Ezell Brown and Chief Deputy Carter. Attendees at the ceremony included the auditors, NCSO personnel, elected officials, and personnel from Newton County Human Resources as well as Newton County Finance.

“We have been preparing for this day for almost two years,” Brown said. “We initiated this accreditation process because attaining this “badge of honor” would be another step in achieving our office’s ultimate mission. Our goal is to be recognized as a professional organization that values, respects and honors the rights and dignity of each person we are called upon to serve.”