RALEIGH — American Correctional Association auditors have recommended accreditation be awarded to Johnston Correctional Institution in Smithfield and to Neuse Correctional Institution in Goldsboro.
Neuse and Johnston are the 35th and 36th N.C. Department of Adult Correction locations or operations that have either been recommended or awarded ACA accreditation. NCDAC is pursuing the indication of excellence for all its facilities and operations.
ACA auditors found Neuse Correctional met 100% of mandatory practices and 98.9% of non-mandatory practices during their intensive inspections, conducted Sept. 9-11. Johnston Correctional, which hosted the audit team Sept. 11-13, scored 100% mandatory and 98% non-mandatory.
The ACA Commission on Accreditation for Corrections will vote to formally grant accreditation for the two facilities at a future meeting.
“I am thankful for the support of our Eastern Region leadership and from department leadership throughout this entire process,” said Neuse Warden Morris Reid. “We appreciate this recognition from ACA, which would not be possible without the level of commitment and dedication given by our staff. They work tirelessly every day and every shift. I am proud of our staff as we celebrate this recognition together.”
Johnston Warden Lamont Howell said the recommendation “is a testament to teamwork and dedication. Preparing for the audit has been a long process, and everyone worked hard throughout it. I am grateful to the staff here at Johnston Correctional and to the DAC Office of Professional Standards for making this possible.”
Neuse Correctional, located in Goldsboro, houses approximately 800 male medium-custody offenders and offers a variety of educational, vocational and other rehabilitative programs, from workforce readiness and computer courses to paid incentive positions.
Johnston Correctional, located in Smithfield, houses approximately 640 male minimum-custody offenders. The facility partners with Johnston Community College to offer high school equivalency courses, as well as vocational learning in horticulture, electrical wiring and food service technology.
The audit’s 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 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.
