WALTON COUNTY JAIL EARNS EXCELSIOR DESIGNATION
WALTON COUNTY, FLA – The Walton County Jail has earned the “Excelsior” recognition and has been reaccredited by the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission (FCAC) for the care, custody, and control of inmates at the facility.
The Excelsior title is an award given to Florida correctional agencies that have demonstrated a commitment to the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission’s (FCAC) accreditation process.
How does the Excelsior designation work?
Agencies must be awarded five consecutive reaccreditation cycles.
The reaccreditation interval must not be assessed by the Commission for the agency to earn the Excelsior designation.
The FCAC conducts formal assessments every three years.
These standards are not only recognized as “best practices” in the corrections community, they EXCEED the standards established through the Florida Model Jail Standards.
The Walton County Jail is located in DeFuniak Springs. The facility is operated by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office and has been accredited since 2010. With a capacity of 596 beds and an average daily population of 280 inmates, the jail serves as the primary detention center for Walton County, housing both pretrial detainees and sentenced inmates. Staffed by over 140 sworn and non-sworn personnel, the facility accommodates minimum, medium, and maximum-security classifications.
As a vital part of the county’s criminal justice system, the Walton County Jail ensures public safety while offering rehabilitation and vocational programs. These include the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) program, Heavy Equipment Operator courses, and a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training program.
By earning its sixth accreditation, the jail has earned the “Excelsior” designation.
▪️Initial Accredited February 2, 2010
▪️Reaccredited on February 19, 2013
▪️Reaccredited on February 23, 2016
▪️Reaccredited on February 19, 2019
▪️Reaccredited on February 23, 2022
🌟Reaccredited on February 19, 2025 – Excelsior Reaccreditation