2014 OJJDP Title II PREA Reallocation Project

Congress passed the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) in 2003 with unanimous support from both parties. Congress intended that PREA would provide for the analysis of the incidence and effects of prison rape in Federal, State, and local institutions and to provide information, resources, recommendations, and funding to protect individuals from prison rape.

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety has increased its efforts to eliminate sexual abuse since 2005. These efforts included training staff, employees, volunteers, contractors and partners who may (or may not) have direct contact with our population, discussing state laws prohibiting sexual abuse of juveniles in custody or under supervision, establishing a zero tolerance environment of such behavior, and providing preventative methods to avoid being a staff perpetrator of sexual violence. The agency’s definition of staff includes all volunteers, vendors, contractors, and community partners. Agency staff is provided with brochures to maintain professional boundaries; receive training during new hire orientation, in basic training for certified staff, and annually via distance learning, as well as through various programs of instruction with agency partners. Additional education to promote prevention included educating all juveniles about PREA; about juvenile sexual abuse prevention strategies; about their rights to be free from sexual abuse and harassment, from retaliation, and ways to report; and the agency’s response to incidents. Reinforcement of agency training efforts were established by implementing a “Campaign of Awareness” managed through the PREA Office which included developing staff, stakeholder, and juvenile brochures.

NCDPS requires additional efforts to address training for juveniles with limited English proficiency and disabilities. A second goal includes additional training for staff in specialized PREA roles. A third goal includes enhancements security and monitoring measures. Our fourth and final goal includes supporting PREA audit activities by completing assessment reviews and mock audits.

NCA/NCF

Congress passed the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) in 2003 with unanimous support from both parties. Congress intended that PREA would provide for the analysis of the incidence and effects of prison rape in Federal, State, and local institutions and to provide information, resources, recommendations, and funding to protect individuals from prison rape. The grantee plans to support PREA programming in youth facilities.

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS) has increased its efforts to eliminate sexual abuse since 2005. These efforts included training staff, employees, volunteers, contractors and partners who may (or may not) have direct contact with our population, discussing state laws prohibiting sexual abuse of juveniles in custody or under supervision, establishing a zero tolerance environment of such behavior, and providing preventative methods to avoid being a staff perpetrator of sexual violence. The agency’s definition of staff includes all volunteers, vendors, contractors, and community partners. Agency staff is provided with brochures to maintain professional boundaries; receive training during new hire orientation, in basic training for certified staff, and annually via distance learning, as well as through various programs of instruction with agency partners. Additional education to promote prevention included educating all offenders/juveniles about PREA; about juvenile sexual abuse prevention strategies; about their rights to be free from sexual abuse and harassment, from retaliation, and ways to report; and the agency’s response to incidents. Reinforcement of agency training efforts were established by implementing a “Campaign of Awareness” managed through the PREA Office which included developing staff, stakeholder, and juvenile brochures.

NCDPS requires reallocation funding to support PREA audit activities to comply with national standards.

NCA/NCF