The Orange County Corrections Department's (OCCD) Misdemeanor Probation Unit officially became the first in America to receive American Correctional Association (ACA) Accreditation. The announcement was made at the ACA Winter Conference being held in January at the Tampa Convention Center. At the same time, the OCCD's Community Surveillance (Home Confinement) Unit became the fifth electronic monitoring unit in the U.S. to receive ACA Accreditation. "We are proud to have both of these important  units become recognized as meeting the tough standards of the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections," remarked Jerry Demings, Orange County Public Safety Director and Interim Chief of Corrections. "In fact, both Probation and Community Surveillance scored 100% in both mandatory and non-mandatory ACA standards during an audit conducted in late September 2006," said Demings. "This is a remarkable accomplishment and reflects on the professionalism and dedication of our staff."
 
Among the benefits of being ACA accredited are on-going, independent assessments of an agency's strengths and weaknesses, establishment of measurable criteria for upgrading operations, improved staff morale and professionalism, showing an agency is meeting nationally accepted standards as a defense in litigation, and a continuing benchmark that will ensure maintenance of professional excellence.
 
The accreditation is granted for a period of three years, however, ACA standards must continuously be met and an independent re-audit is conducted in order for an accreditation to be renewed.
 
The Community Corrections Division of the Orange County Corrections Department oversees community-based programs involving an average daily population of more than 6,000 individuals make up of offenders and accused offenders. In addition to Misdemeanor Probation and Community Surveillance, the division also oversees programs such as the Work Release, Central Intake, Alternative Community Service, Pretrial Diversion, and Pretrial Services.

In addition to the new accreditations announced today, the OCCD Jail System is also nationally accredited by the American Correctional Association, as well as the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission, and is routinely inspected by independent auditors to ensure compliance with Florida Model Jail Standards.