Pinellas County Sheriff Office
Department of Detention and Corrections

American Correctional Association (ACA)


PINELLAS COUNTY – The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Detention and Corrections, was awarded reaccreditation by the American Correctional Association (ACA) on November 23, 2021.

ACA auditors visited the Pinellas County Jail from June 14, 2021 to June 16, 2021 and wrote a detailed report on the facility submitting their findings to the accreditation commission. The ACA reviewed fundamental correctional practices to include inmate and staff safety, record maintenance, enhancing staff moral and facility operations. The commission unanimously awarded the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office with a three year reaccreditation.

Sheriff Gualtieri said, “Accreditation, inspection, and evaluation is a rigorous process that ensures facilities and agencies are operating properly and meeting the highest standards.”

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is a Triple Accredited (corrections, correctional health care and law enforcement) agency that is recognized by the National Sheriff’s Association. Less than 1% of the sheriff’s offices in the United States are Triple Accredited. The agency is also accredited in forensics and aviation.

The American Correctional Association was founded in 1870 as the National Prison Association, changing to the American Correctional Association in 1954 to reflect their “expanding philosophy of corrections and its increasingly important role within the community and society.” The ACA utilizes the principles of humanity, justice, protection, opportunity, knowledge, competence, and accountability to develop sound corrections practices.