News: Press Releases

Sussex II State Prison Receives ACA Accreditation
- Sixth State Facility to Comply with National Standards -

RICHMOND – Virginia Department of Corrections (DOC) Director Ron Angelone announced today that Sussex II State Prison in Waverly, Virginia, has been awarded accreditation from the American Correctional Association (ACA). Sussex II becomes the sixth state facility to receive accreditation from ACA for compliance with national standards.

“Warden Eddie Pearson and staff at Sussex II are to be commended for their efforts,” said Director Angelone.

Sussex II was in 100% compliance with 41 applicable mandatory standards and 98.3% compliant with 411 of the 418 applicable non-mandatory standards. The ACA audit team evaluated the conditions of confinement and found the overall quality of life to be excellent. Quality of life is a major consideration and relates to sanitation, education, inmate programs, and staff and inmate communication within the facility.

The ACA accreditation program is a professional peer review process based on national standards that have evolved since the founding of the ACA in 1870. These standards were developed by national leaders in the field of corrections and include experts in law, architecture, health care, and other groups interested in sound correctional management.

Sussex II State Prison, opened in January 1999, is the second of two facilities built in Sussex County. Sussex I State Prison, was accredited in November 1999. Other previously accredited facilities in Virginia include Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women, Red Onion State Prison, Southampton Men’s Detention Center, and Wallens Ridge State Prison. Statewide Adult Probation and Parole Services have also been accredited by ACA.