Cheyenne– The Wyoming Honor Conservation Camp (WHCC) and the Wyoming Women’s Center (WWC) have successfully completed audits by the American Correctional Association (ACA) and have been recommended for reaccreditation for a third time.

The prisons earned outstanding compliance scores following rigorous, multi-faceted audits conducted April 15-18. The purpose of the audits was to ensure the facilities were still meeting or exceeding hundreds of best practice standards and measures covering a variety of aspects including administration and management, operations, training, programs, and basic services that may impact the quality of life, safety and health of inmates and staff.

Both prisons achieved 100% on over 60 applicable mandatory standards. Of over 440 non-mandatory applicable standards, WHCC scored 99.5% and WWC scored a 98.4%.  In order to receive recommendation, facilities must meet 100% on mandatory standards and at least 90% on non-mandatory standards.

It is anticipated that WHCC and WWC will be officially reaccredited this August, when a final report is presented to a panel hearing at the ACA’s semi-annual national conference in Boston.

“These results would never be possible without the hard work of our dedicated team of staff,” said WHCC Warden Todd Martin. “We owe 100% of our successes to them. The great job they do every day is what makes us successful.  They are also the reason that we are able to meet our mission and ensure public safety. One of the auditors told us it was clear we provided an environment for change and said they were impressed by the positive communication that goes on between staff and inmates at WHCC.”

WWC Warden Rick Catron echoed Martin’s comments, and said, “I know at times it has been difficult and frustrating.  But the ‘never quit’ attitude we have at Lusk shines through and we got it done.  Everyone did, and continues to do a great job.”  Catron noted that the audit team referred to WWC as one of the best managed facilities they have ever had the pleasure of visiting.

Audits are conducted every three years in order for the Wyoming Department of Corrections (WDOC) to maintain ACA accreditation. Facility audits are conducted on a staggered basis.  The Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution, Wyoming State Penitentiary, Wyoming Honor Farm, Field Services (Probation and Parole) Division, Training Academy and Central Office will be audited over the next two years.

WDOC began the accreditation process in 2013, received full accreditation in 2015, and was fully reaccredited in 2018.

In addition to maintaining ACA accreditation, the agency is also in complete compliance with Federal standards set forth by the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).  WDOC is one of only three prison systems in the United States to be fully accredited under both ACA and PREA.