The county jail received healthcare accreditation from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, an independent organization that rates jails on standard of healthcare provided to inmates, announced Richard Berdnik, the county sheriff.

“This is the first time the Passaic County Jail was accredited in the history of its existence,” said Berdnik. “Now the Passaic County Jail falls in an elite group of only about 15% of all jails nationwide to possess this highly regarded accreditation.”

The sheriff said the accreditation was awarded to the jail because it followed established health service standards by the organization. Out of 3,365 jails in the entire country, only about 500 are accredited by the organization, making the award exclusive and very prestigious, according to Berdnik.

Berdnik credits Corizon, a prison health service management firm that he hired after being elected in 2011, for efficiently running the prison’s healthcare department. According to his office, “In the three years since the transition, operating costs have been reduced, and services have been improved and streamlined.”

The sheriff lauded employees at the jail and praised the firm. “I want to commend the hard work, devotion and great work of Command Staff and all the members of the Corrections Division, including all Corizon staff, in obtaining this highly regarded accreditation,” said Berdnik.

During the fall of 2013 a committee vetted the prison and reviewed its procedures, giving it a “100 percent compliance” rating. The committee reviewed key areas according to the sheriff, “The accreditation review covers certain areas including, but not limited to, health care standards, access to health care, written policies, privacy procedures, screening procedures, and safe.”

“The achievement of the NCCHC accreditation, was a priority of mine upon taking office, and is a testament to the strong commitment of all the employees of the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office,” said Berdnik. “This accreditation, and the hard work and dedication of many, will hopefully help improve the Jail’s once tarnished reputation and let the public see how great a facility it has become.”