The Lake County Sheriff’s Office proudly announces the Lake County Jail has been awarded the National Accreditation for Corrections by the American Correctional Association (ACA), for the fourth consecutive time.

When presented the award, the ACA praised the Lake County Jail facility on the professional level of jail operations and success in completing the accreditation process. As noted by the ACA, the accreditation represents the satisfactory completion of rigorous self-evaluation, followed by an outside review of experienced and independent auditors.

The ACA accreditation process consists of evaluating a number of standards including jail programs, health care, and security operations, which are essential to effective correctional management. The ACA reviewed over 350 standards currently in place at the Lake County Jail, and found the jail to be in compliance with the accreditation standards.

Sheriff Mark Curran said, “As I’ve said many times, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office makes it a top priority to treat jail inmates humanely, fairly, and with respect, while in custody at the Lake County Jail. I’m proud of our corrections staff for their continued diligent efforts and being awarded the ACA accreditation.”

Undersheriff Ray Rose said, “We’ve been continually making improvements at the Lake County Jail. Earlier this year the jail passed an inspection in all categories by the Illinois Department of Corrections. We are raising the bar, continuing to make progressive changes in the way business is conducted, and the ACA accreditation is another outside validation of the Lake County Jail’s positive, progressive direction.”

David Wathen, Chief of Corrections, added, “We at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office will continue showing our high level of respect and commitment to those under our care at the jail.”

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office was given verbal notification of the ACA accreditation in August and official written notification in October. Each accreditation certification is valid for three years.