NC FY20 PREA Grant

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. PREA funding will be used to support PREA efforts in state-run juvenile correctional facilities. Funds will be used to offset the costs of auditing facilities as required under PREA standard 115.401.

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety’s goal is to establish an environment that protects the juveniles supervised while safeguarding the communities to which they may eventually be released. In keeping with PREA, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety has adopted the standard of zero tolerance of sexual abuse of juveniles by a juvenile and/or staff as defined in policy. As the agency continues to sustain implementation efforts, barriers such as staffing shortages, constant growth in the confined population, security threat groups, populations with significant medical and mental health issues, antiquated technology, and staff recruitment and retention remain an issue.

NCA/NCF