Santa Fe, New Mexico - The Adult Detention Professional Standards Council (ADPSC) awarded a second three (3) year Certificate of Re-accreditation to Chaves County Adult Detention Center on July 1, 2015. The award will be presented during the New Mexico Association of Counties' (NMAC) 79th Annual Conference on June 18, 2015 in Albuquerque, NM. The Certificate of Re-accreditation is awarded to those county detention facilities which meet or exceed best practice standards in detention, as developed and approved by the ADPSC. The standards were developed for New Mexico jail facilities based on suggested best practices from detention facilities across the nation. NMAC Executive Director Steve Kopelman said, "The Adult Detention Professional Standards Council has developed uncompromising, yet attainable, professional standards for detention facilities in New Mexico."

A joint initiative of NMAC and the New Mexico Municipal League, ADPSC's mission is to enhance the professionalism, uniformity and consistency in the operation of detention facilities in New Mexico. In 2010, ADPSC developed a voluntary accreditation program based on best practice recommendations of organizations such as the American Correctional Association and the National Commission on Correctional Healthcare, as well as best practices policies and procedures of detention facilities across the nation. To date, six (6) counties have attained accredited status, with three counties actively pursuing accreditation. ADPSC Chair Manuel Romero said, "Chaves Detention Center's accreditation reflects its commitment and focus on the accreditation process. I congratulate the Chaves County Detention Center on this major accomplishment."

Detention Administrator, Clay Corn commented that, "we were delighted to see that all the hard work by the officers, supervisors, administrative staff and contractors earned this honor and recognition for our facility. Acquiring this level of function reinforces our intent to assure conditions of confinement are just for each and every person every day. We will continue to honor their hard work by assuring we maintain and live up to this standard into the future. Special recognition goes to our compliance specialist for the many hours he has put into task and helping us get to this point!"

Founded in 1936 and incorporated in 1968, the New Mexico Association of Counties is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization governed by New Mexico county elected officials and employees. Its mission is to serve as a statewide voice for all counties in New Mexico. It accomplishes this by providing counties with legislative representation, general research, and training and assistance in developing and improving the administration and financing of county government. NMAC also operates self-insurance pools on behalf of member counties, covering workers' compensation, law enforcement, and property and casualty coverage. Please contact Steve Kopelman at 505.469.5584 or skopelman@nmcounties.org or ADPSC Chair Manuel Romero at 505.629.8799 or mromero@nmcounties.org for more information. Please visit the NMAC website at www.nmcounties.org.