The standards developed by the American Correctional Association (ACA) in the 1940's and 1950's lacked a method for verifying compliance. However, the courts often issued orders to correct a variety of prison conditions. These orders were often inconsistent and expensive. In 1969 ACA initiated a study of the desirability and feasibility of establishing national correctional standards that would take into consideration the varied interests of prison administrators, the public, inmates, legislators, and the courts. In 1974, ACA established the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections. Since 1977, the ACA has published 10 manuals of standards to cover the diversity of correctional agencies; agency involvement in the accreditation process represents a commitment to excellence and professionalism. The process requires 12 to 18 months for completion and includes six major components: 1) contract agreement, 2) self-evaluation, 3) ACA and Commission staff review, 4) compliance audit review by ACA auditors, 5) accreditation decision, and 6) annual record review or site visit by ACA staff. Currently 834 correctional organizations in the United States are either accredited or in the process of accreditation.