Peter Keogh, executive director of the New York State Sheriffs' Association, told the Chautauqua County Legislature on Dec. 17 that the sheriff's office had earned multiple state and national accreditations and presented a plaque recognizing reaccreditation of the corrections division.

"It is my great pleasure to be here tonight on behalf of all the sheriffs in New York State to recognize and honor your sheriff, Jim Cautron, and all the men and women of his sheriff's office on the occasion of reaccreditation of the sheriff's corrections division," Keogh said.

A speaker who accepted the plaque thanked Keogh and credited line staff, lieutenants and specific employees for supporting accreditation work, citing the medical documentation compiled by Kathy Burgess and the efforts of Warden Staczynski and several lieutenants. The speaker framed accreditation as requiring independent review against demanding standards and described the county jail as going "beyond the minimum standards."

The presentation emphasized that the sheriff's office holds state-level accreditations from the New York State Sheriff's Association and the New York State Law Enforcement Agency Accreditation Council, and that jail health services had national accreditation from the Commission on Correctional Health Care.

Why it matters: Accreditation signals that an outside board of assessors reviewed procedures, health services and security practices and found them to meet or exceed established correctional standards. The legislature's recognition highlights the county's investment in corrections operations and the personnel who maintain day-to-day services.

What’s next: The recognition was ceremonial; no formal legislative action was attached to the presentation. The plaque was accepted and the legislature moved on to the evening's business.