Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Reallocation

The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) continues to partner with the Wyoming Department of Corrections (WDOC) to utilize funding from this solicitation to work towards PREA compliance throughout the State of Wyoming county jails. It is the State of Wyoming’s position that sexual assault, including assaults in correctional facilities, is unacceptable and that all reasonable steps must be taken to ensure the protection of inmates and a reduction in sexual violence and harassment in such settings. The goal of this project is to improve institutional responses to incidents of sexual abuse, prioritize transparency, accountability, and collaboration in sexual abuse investigations, provide needed training to those involved in investigating reports of sexual abuse/rape in confinement settings, increase information sharing across multiple agencies both within and outside correctional facilities, and have a positive impact on criminal justice and PREA policies and practices in the State of Wyoming.

DCI partnering with WDOC will work towards assisting county facilities used by WDOC for housing inmates to become PREA compliant. While there are many purpose areas where funding can be utilized, DCI and WDOC are going to provide the funds for technical assistance for training/ traveling, PREA Audit, supplies, physical plant upgrades including cameras and PREA related printing material. DCI in partner with WDOC will continue working to identify auditing needs of county facilities requiring PREA compliance. This funding will be used to assist their facilities with meeting PREA audit requirements and for audit expenses. WDOC and DCI will continue to partner with the local county jails in their efforts to become certified under the national standards. As the global pandemic appears to have subsided a return to somewhat normal operations may be possible which will allow certification efforts to resume.

In summary, DCI and WDOC will oversee participating county jail efforts in achieving PREA compliance. Assistance in the form of training, physical plant upgrades, technical expertise, audit preparation and funding will be provided using this grant.