Jail earns recertification from national board

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office recently received its jail re-certification from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care.

The program requires monthly training by all jail staff and annual recertification by contracted medical staff, consisting of Dr. J. Holman, Psychiatrist J. McEllistrem, and Nurses S. Dixon and P. Brown.

“I am very proud of my jail staff, it is through all their hard work and efforts we have one of the best jails in Nevada,” Sheriff Dan Coverley said.

The sheriff credited 21-year veteran Sgt. Amy Savage, who spearheaded training, recommended changes in policies and procedures, and coordinated facility inspections to meet the strict commission standards.

The commission’s origins date to the early 1970s, when a study of jails and prisons across the nation revealed inadequate and unsystematic inmate custodial care and a lack of national standards. In collaboration with other organizations, the AMA established a program that in the early 1980s became the commission, which is now supported by the major national organizations representing the fields of health, law, and corrections.

It sets standards for custodial care provides technical assistance, conducts facility inspections, and certifies only those correctional facilities that meet or exceed their strict guidelines and requirements. The standards increase the efficiency of health services delivery, strengthen organizational effectiveness and reduce the risk of adverse legal judgments.

NCCHC standards cover all aspects of inmate care; such as booking, feeding, clothing, housing, exercise, disciplinary processes, medical care, psychological care, suicide prevention, access to religious and spiritual resources, alcohol and drug addiction, and substance abuse withdrawal protocols.