JAG-PREA Reallocation for Standards Compliance

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety’s goal 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 offenders/juveniles as defined in policy.  Critical issues that provide barriers to the agency’s efforts as it continues to respond to the national PREA standards are severe budget reductions, constant growth in the confinement population, security threat groups, populations with significant medical and mental health issues, projects to improve antiquated technology, and staff recruitment and retention.  Most recently, the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to impact the agency in various ways.  With the necessary changes made in response to the pandemic, the agency has begun to see a change in the restrictions based on vaccination efforts.

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety has increased its efforts to eliminate sexual abuse and sexual harassment.  Continued efforts to promote sexual abuse prevention for all stakeholders through education; about their rights to be free from sexual abuse and harassment, from retaliation, and ways to report; the agency’s response to allegations, and efforts to ensure compliance with national standards..  Reinforcement of agency training efforts managed by the PREA Office which includes a training and education program for stakeholders to include offenders/juveniles, staff, volunteers, contractors/agents, investigators, compliance managers, and internal victim support staff.  

NCDPS requires reallocation funding to be utilized for actions such as:

To audit one-third (1/3) facilities to measure compliance with national standards by a USDOJ certified auditor consistent with §115.93, Audits of standards.
Distribute educational materials by:

To develop and distribute reporting signage to comply with §115.16, Inmates with disabilities and inmates who are limited English proficient, §115.33, Inmate Education; and §115.51, Inmate Reporting.