American Correctional Association auditors have recommended accreditation be awarded to Pender Correctional Institution.
Pender Correctional is the 50th N.C. Department of Adult Correction facility that has either been recommended or awarded ACA accreditation. NCDAC is pursuing the distinction for all its facilities and operations.
ACA auditors found Pender Correctional met 100% of mandatory practices and 98.24% of non-mandatory practices during their intensive inspections, conducted April 21-23. The ACA Commission on Accreditation for Corrections will vote to formally grant accreditation at a future meeting.
“The staff of Pender Correctional Institution show their commitment and dedication every day, but they worked especially hard for this. I am extremely proud of them,” said Warden Edward Basden. “I also want to thank our department and South Central Region leadership, as well as NCDAC’s accreditation and compliance specialists, for all the support and guidance they’ve provided throughout this process.”
Located in Burgaw, the facility has capacity for more than 750 men in medium custody level. Opportunities for rehabilitative educational and vocational programs range from high school equivalency to truck driver training, and through Cape Fear Community College courses in light construction and diesel mechanics are available.
ACA audits of 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, ACA auditors spent three days conducting visual inspections, reviewing policies and procedures, and evaluating the work being done to ensure best practices are met at the prison.
The NCDAC Strategic Plan calls for ACA accreditation of all facilities and operations.