Gwinnett County’s Department of Corrections has received national accreditation. The department received its first accreditation in 2009, according to Warden David Peek.

“This achievement shows that we meet or exceed rigorous standards for administrative and fiscal controls, staff training and development, physical plant, rules and discipline, safety and emergency procedures, offender health care, sanitation and food service,” said Peek.

A team of auditors from the American Correctional Association spent three days examining documents, viewing operations, and interviewing staff members and inmates. Their findings went to the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections, which granted the three-year accreditation on July 22.

Board of Commissioners Chairman Charlotte Nash said, “This process involves a grueling series of reviews, evaluations, audits and hearings, but I’m not surprised that our dedicated staff passed all these tests with flying colors.”

“This renewal means that our staff is maintaining the same high quality standards,” said Peek.

The department operates an 800-bed correctional complex that houses both state and County inmates. Some work on supervised crews that provide janitorial and landscaping services at county-owned buildings, parks and roadways.