Oregon PREA 24 Reallocation

The Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) is requesting grant funds from the BJA FY 2024-Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Reallocation Funds Program to support OYA’s ongoing effort to fully implement the agency’s’ zero-tolerance standards for sexual violence in its facilities. There are 5 OYA closed custody facilities and 4 transition programs who serve youth between the ages of 12 and 25 who committed crimes before they turned 18 and are sentenced before age 20. This project will support OYA in reducing risk of sexual abuse and sexual harassment by providing camera replacement and new camera placements for facilities. These cameras will not replace supervision but rather reduce blind spot considerations for staff, add additional deterrents for engaging in abuse and provide OYA’s investigations team additional evidence collection support.
ODOC’s automation and information system for tracking incidents of sexual abuse and sexual harassment was created prior to the release of the standards and before best practices had been established. Although ODOC has been aggressively working towards compliance with the standards, we acknowledge our current automation does not support the requirements of the standards or operational needs and would require significant upgrades. This update would also allow us to efficiently track and utilize data in support of PREA compliance.

Portion of funds will be used to hire an Information Systems Specialist on a limited duration assignment. This position will also be actively involved in developing upgrades to the agency’s information system, to include the ability for ODOC employees to generate various comprehensive reports which will provide important information relating to PREA compliance, as well as, streamlining additional processes. This program design will enhance PREA activities by building the ODOC PREA program to meet the federal PREA standards, increase staff awareness and provide a comprehensive victim-centered response to sexual abuse and sexual harassment.