Norfolk City Jail Awarded National Accreditation for Quality Health Care Services

The Norfolk City Jail has earned accreditation from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care by demonstrating compliance with NCCHC’s nationally recognized standards of care for correctional health services in jails. Accreditation recognizes the Norfolk City Jail’s commitment to providing quality health services for the incarcerated population.

To earn NCCHC accreditation, the Norfolk City Jail underwent a rigorous professional assessment in March 2024. During the assessment, a team of experienced physicians and experts in correctional health care surveyed the facility for compliance with jail-specific standards in several areas such as patient care and treatment, health promotion, safety and disease prevention, governance and administration, personnel and training, special needs and services, and medical-legal issues.

The report focuses on two sets of standards: Essential Standards and Important Standards. There are 39 essential standards, with 37 being applicable to the Norfolk City Jail. Of the 37, 37 (100%) were found to be in full compliance. There are 20 important standards, with 19 being applicable to the Norfolk City Jail. Of the 19, 18 (or 95%) were found to be compliant.

“The Norfolk Sheriff’s Office Mission Statement states our commitment to providing an environment of life, health, safety, and security for those in our care and this accreditation another example of how we are accomplishing that. To achieve accreditation is a great honor and we are proud of the health care staff and jail administration staff for their hard work in obtaining this honor,” stated Sheriff Joe Baron.

For 45 years, NCCHC’s highly respected standards have provided guidance to help correctional health professionals and administrators improve the health of their incarcerated populations and the communities to which they return, increase efficiency of health services delivery, strengthen organizational effectiveness, and reduce the risk of adverse legal judgments. The consensus-based standards are developed in consultation with national experts in correctional health care, mental health, law, and corrections.

"In achieving NCCHC accreditation, the Norfolk City Jail has demonstrated its commitment to quality, standards-based correctional health care,” said Deborah Ross, CCHP, NCCHC chief executive officer. “Accreditation is a voluntary process, and we commend (name of facility) for successfully undertaking this challenge. The health of incarcerated people is a vitally important component of public health.”

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About the National Commission on Correctional Health Care:

The mission of the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, is to improve the quality of health care in jails, prisons, and juvenile confinement facilities. NCCHC establishes standards for health services in correctional facilities, operates a voluntary accreditation program for institutions that meet those standards, produces, and disseminates resource publications, conducts educational conferences, and offers a certification program for correctional health professionals. NCCHC is supported by the major national organizations representing the fields of health, mental health, law, and corrections. Each of those organizations has named a liaison to the NCCHC board of representatives to create a robust, multidisciplinary governing structure that reflects the complexities of correctional health care.

The Norfolk Sheriff's Office is a values driven organization
committed to public safety, public service, and public trust.