1. PREA Auditing Services: The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) is a federal law enacted in 2003 and was created to eliminate sexual abuse while in confinement. Federal funds were provided for research, programs, training and technical assistance to address sexual abuse. In addition, the legislation mandated the development of national standards. The National Prison Rape Elimination Commission (NPREC) developed recommended national standards for reducing prison rape. The final standards became effective on June 20, 2012, when they were published by the US Department of Justice (USDOJ). PREA standards were developed to help confinement facilities prevent, detect and respond to sexual abuse and harassment of inmates and are intended to: • Assist agencies in establishing a zero-tolerance policy of inmate sexual abuse or harassment; • Increase accountability for sexual safety of those in contact with inmates; and • Afford agencies discretion and flexibility, to the extent feasible, in a way that meets the standards. The final PREA Standards include provisions that are specific to Audit and State Compliance: (1) Prison Rape Elimination Act National Standard 115.93 indicates that the agency shall conduct audits pursuant to Standard 115.401 (2) Standard 115.401 indicates that the frequency and scope of audits are as follows: 1. PREA Auditing Services: The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) is a federal law enacted in 2003 and was created to eliminate sexual abuse while in confinement. Federal funds were provided for research, programs, training and technical assistance to address sexual abuse. In addition, the legislation mandated the development of national standards. The National Prison Rape Elimination Commission (NPREC) developed recommended national standards for reducing prison rape. The final standards became effective on June 20, 2012, when they were published by the US Department of Justice (USDOJ). PREA standards were developed to help confinement facilities prevent, detect and respond to sexual abuse and harassment of inmates and are intended to: • Assist agencies in establishing a zero-tolerance policy of inmate sexual abuse or harassment; • Increase accountability for sexual safety of those in contact with inmates; and • Afford agencies discretion and flexibility, to the extent feasible, in a way that meets the standards. The final PREA Standards include provisions that are specific to Audit and State Compliance: (1) Prison Rape Elimination Act National Standard 115.93 indicates that the agency shall conduct audits pursuant to Standard 115.401 (2) Standard 115.401 indicates that the frequency and scope of audits are as follows:
