American Correctional Association auditors have recommended accreditation be awarded to Lumberton Correctional Institution, another step toward full accreditation of the North Carolina prison system. Lumberton CI is the 22nd NCDAC location recommended for accreditation.
ACA auditors said the prison scored 100 percent on the audit for mandatory standards and an excellent 98.85 percent on non-mandatory standards during their intensive inspections, Oct. 30-Nov. 1.
“We have a top-notch staff at our prison with people dedicated to excellence,” said Warden Mary Locklear. “I am glad the auditors rewarded our hard-working staff with these high scores on these lofty standards, and I’m grateful to everyone who helped us prepare for this audit.”
“This accreditation is the gold standard in our profession, and shows the prison is operated at the high levels set by these nationally-recognized standards,” said NCDAC Audit Administrator Paula Page, whose team of professionals assist and guide the facilities in preparing for ACA accreditation. “I am pleased the ACA auditors have recognized our commitment to excellence and the dedication of the staff.”
These performance-based standards evaluate fundamental correctional practices that ensure staff and offender safety and security; enhance staff morale; improve record maintenance and data management capabilities; and improve the function of the facility.
As part of the accreditation process, the ACA auditors conducted visual inspections, reviewed policies and procedures, and probed the work being done to ensure best practices are met at the prison.
The department is pursuing accreditation for all prison facilities and Correction Enterprises operations, as envisioned in the NCDAC Strategic Plan.