Washington, Feb 18, 2004 - Tully House and The Harbor Recommended for ACA Re-accreditation
ROSELAND, NJ (February 18, 2004)—A committee of American Correctional Association (ACA) auditors recommended Community Education Centers’ Tully House, in Newark and The Harbor, in Hoboken for re-accreditation based on compliance with ACA national standards. The auditors gave both facilities a score of 100% on mandatory and non-mandatory standards, which are established by ACA and serve as a benchmark for the effective operation of correctional facilities throughout the United States.

During the past year, six other CEC facilities have achieved perfect scores following ACA audits: Coleman Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Liberty Hall in Indianapolis, Indiana; Tooley Hall in Denver, Colorado; Community Alternatives of El Paso County (CAE) in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Talbot Hall in Kearny, New Jersey; and Bo Robinson in Trenton, New Jersey.

“I’m proud of CEC’s accomplishments. We will continue to strive to meet and exceed the national standards set by ACA. Receiving accreditation is a testament to the professionalism and dedication of our employees. I’d like to express my gratitude to all those who helped us reach our accreditation goals,” said John Clancy, President and CEO of Community Education Centers.

The American Correctional Association requires agencies to undergo re-accreditation every three years. During the three-year accreditation period, the agency submits an annual certification statement that is due on the anniversary of the accreditation date. It contains information on current standards compliance levels, updates of plans of action, significant events and/or major staffing changes; physical plant renovations and other information related to ACA standards.

During the two-day audits, committee members reviewed the standards based on written documentation, observations and interviews with staff and residents at each facility. “The staff at Tully House worked hard to prepare for the audit,” said Darryl Hooper, Director of the facility. “We appreciate the commitment of the staff in helping us meet our accreditation goals,” said James Johnston, Director of The Harbor.

Tully House opened in June 1997 and provides substance abuse treatment and work-release to 340 male residents. In addition to its focus on preparing residents to reintegrate into the community, Tully House provides life-skills training and education programs.

The Harbor, a 152-bed facility, was initially opened as a substance-abuse treatment center in 1983, but was renovated according to ACA standards and began to accept a correctional population in October of 1994. The Harbor offers substance abuse treatment and a work-release program.