Corrections program earns
honors for sheriff’s office
Sheriff Joseph W. Oxley
Staff members in the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office are proud to be the first in New Jersey to receive a national honor.
The "Triple Crown" award is given by the National Sheriffs Association (NSA) for receiving a simultaneous accreditation for a correctional facility, a correctional system health-care program and the law enforcement division.
"Of the 3,095 sheriff’s offices in the United States, we are the first in New Jersey and one of only 20 in the nation to earn this distinction," said Monmouth County Sheriff Joseph W. Oxley. "Achieving this award was a team effort between sworn officers and civilians. Together we worked toward the common goals of professionalism, dedication and a commitment to excellence in every facet of our operation."
During a ceremony held recently at the Monmouth County Police Academy, Freehold Township, Oxley received the "Triple Crown" plaque from James Ploisis, sheriff of Cape May County, who represented the National Sheriffs Association Board.
"Clearly, we are raising the standard of law enforcement in New Jersey and gaining a positive national reputation in the process," Oxley said. "I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to every member of this office for their effort in this achievement."
A congratulatory statement from the state Legislature was read by Undersheriff Adam N. Puharic, who served as master of ceremonies for the event.
The NSA established the "Triple Crown" award in 1993 to recognize law enforcement agencies that receive simultaneous accreditation for law enforcement, corrections and correctional health care. Achieving the "Triple Crown" award acknowledges that Monmouth County maintains standards and procedures consistent with nationally recognized measures of excellence.
"In order to achieve national accreditation, a team of independent auditors have reviewed every policy and procedure of the operation to confirm that the standards are consistent with the finest agencies across the nation," Oxley said. "Accreditation ensures the public that the agency is being managed efficiently and effectively."
The health-care facility at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution was recently reaccredited by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC). This facility was first accredited by the NCCHC in 1989.
The county jail, on Waterworks Road, Freehold Township, is a maximum-security facility with a 1,328 bed capacity. The 410-person staff at the jail includes two captains, 15 lieutenants, 20 sergeants, 280 corrections officers and civilian personnel.
The Law Enforcement Division received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, (CALEA) in August 1998. Of the 13,529 law enforcement agencies in the country, 421 are currently accredited. Six of those are accredited agencies in New Jersey.
In the third component of the "Triple Crown" award, the county jail successfully completed a comprehensive audit conducted by representatives of the American Correctional Association (ACA) in May. The jail received a combined rating of 99.49 percent, including mandatory and nonmandatory standards. More than 430 policies and procedures were measured against guidelines.
Also attending the ceremony were Wesley Mayo Sr., director of the Monmouth County Police Academy; Gary J. Hilton, director of the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office Department of Corrections and Youth Services; Thomas J. Reiff, chief, Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Division. Chaplain William Fuller gave the invocation.
Hilton said the county jail has become one of the leaders in the country and now has one of the highest levels of medical care.
"This is a testament to Monmouth County and this county’s leadership," said Hilton. "Our correctional institution is as good as any in the country. … Clearly, the driving force has been Sheriff Oxley. He accepts nothing but top show, first class, the right way."
Hilton also recognized all staff members at the county jail for the job they have done.
"They are first class," said Hilton.
Mary Krug, health services administrator at the county jail, noted the accomplishments in health services over the past years.
"The jail is fully staffed with board-certified physicians, nurses, a dentist, oral surgeons, psychiatrists, mental health workers, and there is a full X-ray department and there is ultra-sound. We (also) do lab work, and it’s just as busy as any inner-city clinic," she said.
Barbara Mariano, supervisor of nurses at the correctional facility, said, "We serve a very difficult population. I remember a time when we had nothing to give them (for the treatment of AIDS) and now we have all the modern medications. For most of them, this is the only health care they’ve ever had. Some of them even get arrested to come (back) in (for medical treatment)."
Thomas J. Reiff, chief, Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Division, said, "To be among the best, it’s not enough to set idealistic goals and objectives. Accreditation provides a real challenge, an opportunity to meet our goals, to achieve our goals and also a direction to follow to maintain the professional status that accreditation really does signify. Accreditation was a team effort."
Added Oxley: "The ‘Triple Crown’ is one of the most significant accomplishments in the 317-year history of the sheriff’s office."