MS FY 2024 Prison Rape Elimination Act

The Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) will use the FY24 PREA grant to maintain and enhance compliance with PREA standards to train and educate MDOC staff statewide. The MDOC is rigorously working toward adherence to specific PREA standards. The primary objective of the initiative is to identify and address existing gaps in knowledge and practice, thereby enhancing awareness in the training and education of personnel within the MDOC. These standards include 115.31, which pertains to the training and education of MDOC staff; Standard 115.32, which focuses on training for volunteers and contractors; Standard 115.34, dedicated to specialized training for investigations; and Standard 115.35, which emphasizes specialized training for medical and mental health professionals. The overarching goal is to ensure statewide that all employees, contractors and volunteers who interact with inmates receive comprehensive training on topics pertinent to the prevention of sexual abuse and harassment. Given the significant turnover rates and the new compliance requirements set forth by PREA, numerous MDOC personnel, including correctional officers, first level and second level supervisors, correctional investigation division, and PREA managers, require immediate training and education.

This initiative aims to enhance the capacity of staff to prevent sexual abuse incidents within correctional facilities and to foster an environment that strictly adheres to the agency’s zero-tolerance policy concerning sexual assault and abuse. Furthermore, the primary activity will be placed on improving the procedures for addressing and supporting victims of sexual assault within the facilities. This objective will be achieved through comprehensive staff training, ultimately working towards the eradication of prison rape. Considering these urgent needs, the MDOC is seeking funding to cover the costs associated with the required technology, equipment, and travel necessary for the statewide training and education of its staff, contractors and volunteers. This investment is vital to ensure the safety and dignity of all individuals within the correctional environment. The statewide training will include staffing of the six state prisons which are the Mississippi State Penitentiary (MSP), Central Mississippi Correctional Facility (CMCF), South Mississippi Correctional Institution (SMCI), Marshall County Correctional Facility (MCCF), Walnut Grove Correctional Facility (WGCF), and Delta Correctional Facility (DCF). The expected outcome is to bridge the gap in the training and practice to improve staff awareness and reduce the occurrences of sexual abuse and harassment. Through this holistic approach, we aim to ensure that every individual in our care is treated with dignity and respect, free from the threat of abuse with particular attention to identifying inmates who may be most vulnerable in such environments.