Santa Fe, New Mexico – The Adult Detention Professional Standards Council (ADPSC) awarded a three (3) year Certificate of Accreditation to Valencia County Adult Detention Center on January 18, 2018 during the New Mexico Association of Counties (NMAC) 2018 Legislative Conference in Santa Fe, NM. The Certificate of 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, nine (9) counties have attained accredited status, with one (1) county actively pursuing accreditation. ADPSC Chair Clay Corn said, "By obtaining accreditation status, Valencia County Adult Detention Center demonstrated a strong commitment to operating their facility with best practices and professionalism at the forefront. Congratulations to their team on this outstanding accomplishment."

Warden Joe Chavez commented "Valencia County's detention team is passionate and extremely driven. There were extraordinary efforts put forth by the entire team, with Major Randy Gutierrez and Accreditation Manager Derrick Garley's leadership to earn this accomplishment. It has been a challenging endeavor for our facility, both financially and physically. Achieving the goal of accreditation brings forth great responsibility and consistency. Us as an entity will continue to meet and exceed the standards set forth by NMAC and look forward to maintaining re-accreditation in 2020".

Valencia County initiated the accreditation process with an application in January of 2017, and began working on the process immediately. There are 208 standards that must be followed with policy and procedure, documentation and to include the observed practices. "Our experience with the New Mexico Adult Detention Center Professional Standards Council Accreditation team lead by Scott Chambers was positive and productive. I recommend every facility consider pursuing accreditation as the process and learning experience is geared to both new and experienced Detention Administrators," Chavez added.
"I'm very proud of our facility and all the team members, including the support of County Manager Danny Monette and Commissioners Charles Eaton, Jhonathan Aragon, Helen Cole, David Hyder, and David Carlberg to have made this possible," This is a great service to Valencia County and a county responsibility to its citizens to operate at this higher standard which consist of best detention practices."

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 ADPSC Chair Clay Corn at 575.624.6580 or ccorn@co.chaves.nm.us for more information. Please visit the NMAC website at www.nmcounties.org.