Photo by Erin Nelson
Holding cells in booking at the Shelby County Jail.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office recently achieved Level I national accreditation, the highest level of national accreditation through the National Institute for Jail Operations (NIJO).
A press release from jailtraining.org explained that the national accreditation process demands strict focus and attention for all levels of jail operation. In Alabama, NIJO’s legal-based jail guidelines are comprised of 15 sections and 595 guidelines to assist administrators with specific operational and policy driven areas. The Shelby County Jail Division was required to review and ensure complicity to these guidelines before undergoing an intensive multi-week auditing process and on-site verification conducted by NIJO’s auditors. The Jail Division administrators and staff successfully met every compliance requirement and were commended for their commitment and dedication to operating their facility.
“Five minutes into the inspection, you could tell this was a facility that was operated the right way,” NIJO inspector Joshua Arnold said. “The staff are proud of their facility and take great pride in the work they accomplish day in and day out. The inmates know what is expected from them, from the staff and they respond accordingly. As a result, a safe and positive environment has been created. The Shelby County Jail is one of the finest correctional facilities I have inspected.”
The Shelby County Sheriff's Office joins an elite list of jails that have reached Level 1 accreditation. When Sheriff John Samaniego saw that the jail scored 100% on the core NIJO standards, he said, “This reaccreditation is a reflection of all the hard work that the staff and all of the Jail deputies do every day here at the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.”
Shelby County’s commitment to operating its detention facility within compliance requirements has enhanced jail operations, increased professionalism and proactively served to protect against liability and other risk management issues, the press release said.
NIJO Executive Director Tate McCotter said there are few professions which are as volatile and subject to change as corrections, and in order to be compliant with the law and run a constitutionally safe facility, jail administrators must be proactive and stay ahead of the curve, constantly updating policies and procedures, looking for ways that safety and security might be compromised. He went on to say that accreditation benefits the jail staff, the inmates and the entire public. For most counties, the jail is the largest liability in county government, and the process itself becomes a significant risk management and liability defense.
McCotter explained the recognition reflects far more than a plaque on the wall for the Shelby County Jail. “It represents much-sustained effort, dedication and consistency by their administration and staff to run a constitutionally safe facility," he said. "Shelby County should be very proud."
Samaniego said its' a great understatement to say he is proud of the men and women who operate the jail.
"These men and women demonstrate the highest degree of professionalism and compassion, and this national accreditation that has been awarded illustrates their devotion perfectly," Samaniego said. "Please join me in congratulating each of them on their hard work."
