In The News Worcester County Sheriff's Office Achieves National Accreditation | Worcester County Sheriff's Office Achieves National Accreditation |
|
|
|
West Boylston – Flanked by various state officials and fellow Sheriffs, Worcester County Sheriff Guy Glodis was today awarded Accreditation by the American Correctional Association in a ceremony held at the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction. The Sheriff was joined at the presentation by Chairman Maureen Walsh of the MA Parole Board, Undersecretary of Public Safety Mary Beth Heffernan, Essex County Sheriff Frank Cousins, Jr., and Hampshire County Sheriff Robert Garvey. “Because of the determination, commitment and persistence of every single member of the Sheriff’s Office, this achievement has not only defined this administration, it will continue to define us for many years to come,” Sheriff Glodis stated. “We were told four years ago that the exceedingly high standards of accreditation could never be met in Worcester County, and I’m here today to say that we can, and we did.” The Accreditation process typically requires approximately two and a half years to complete. Applicants must meet 384 standards on issues ranging from inmate safety, discipline, health care, education, fiscal efficiency, program development, officer training, and facility administration. Agencies that are accredited must be re-accredited every three years to maintain their status. Massachusetts Parole Board Chairman Maureen Walsh cited the Sheriff’s Office as a model for facilities around the state: “From creation of the Almost Home halfway house to development of the STOP substance abuse treatment program, Sheriff Glodis has shown tremendous leadership and vision that should serve as an example for other facilities to follow. As a result of these efforts, accreditation is an accomplishment that is both well-earned and richly deserved.” The American Correctional Association has been accrediting agencies since 1978. According to the ACA, benefits of accreditation include: improved staff training, defense against lawsuits, improved officer and inmate safety, assessment of program strengths and weaknesses, and reduced insurance liability costs.
Hampshire County Sheriff Robert Garvey, who serves as the ACA’s Chairman of the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections, commented: “Accreditation is reserved for those public safety leaders who, like Sheriff Glodis, place a higher premium on commitment, professionalism, and accountability. I applaud Sheriff Glodis, and all of the personnel from the Sheriff’s Office, for accepting, and accomplishing, this greatest of challenges.” Essex County Sheriff Frank Cousins, Jr., who serves as President of the Massachusetts Sheriff’s Association, stated: “Since becoming Sheriff, Sheriff Glodis has pursued an aggressive reform agenda, and accreditation is the crowning achievement not only for himself, but for everyone at the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction. Also in attendance at the ceremony were State Representative Jim O’Day, and State Representative Steve DiNatale. ### |
Undersecretary of Public Safety Mary Beth Heffernan was likewise on hand to highlight the difficulty of attaining accreditation: “Sheriff Glodis and the rest of the staff at the Sheriff’s Office reached this impressive goal not only through hard work and perseverance, but through innovation and creative problem solving.