North Carolina's correctional facilities have reached a new milestone as Piedmont Correctional Institution has been recommended for accreditation by the American Correctional Association (ACA). Following a thorough inspection from Wednesday to Friday last week, Piedmont could become the 41st facility under the N.C. Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC) to earn this status, as the state works to maintain high standards across all its facilities.

ACA auditors reviewed everything from safety to staff morale at Piedmont Correctional, noting that the facility met 100% of mandatory standards and 98.4% of non-mandatory ones. Housing around 750 male offenders, Piedmont has worked hard to achieve this recognition. In addition to its security measures, the facility offers educational and vocational programs, such as auto body repair and high school equivalency courses, providing inmates with valuable opportunities for personal growth.

In a statement, Warden Ben Anderson said in the N.C. Department of Adult Correction release, "I’m very proud of the dedicated staff of Piedmont Correctional Institution, who come to work every day and every shift prepared to do their jobs the right way." He also expressed his gratitude to the supporting leaders for guiding Piedmont through the accreditation process.

The ACA audit evaluates a wide range of performance-based standards, from record-keeping to operational efficiency, ensuring a top-tier state correctional system. As noted in the press release, the NCDAC Strategic Plan focuses on achieving ACA accreditation for all its facilities, aiming to enhance the safety and well-being of both staff and offenders.