Florida Corrections Zero-Tolerance Initiative

The Protecting Inmates and Safeguarding Communities Discretionary Grant Program was created as a result of the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (the Act), Public Law 108-79. The goal of the Act is to eradicate sexual assaults in all of the correctional facilities in this country, be they federal, state, or local in nature. Nevertheless, the statutory focus for this grant program is state and local correctional facilities. This program is divided into two parts: (1) Protecting Inmates and (2) Safeguarding Communities. The Protecting Inmates part focuses on providing funding to state and local agencies for the costs of personnel, training, technical assistance, and data collection in the areas of prevention, investigation, prosecution, and treatment of victims of inmate on inmate sexual assault in a correctional facility. The Safeguarding Communities component of the program focuses on assisting the states in developing and implementing strategies when making release decisions for sexual aggressors without compromising public safety and addressing the needs of the victims after release.

The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) has implemented the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) by developing and facilitating internal policies and procedures to educate inmates and staff on prevention, notification, and investigation of all reported sexual misconduct incidents.

FDC reognizes that there are a wide range of concerns and needs necessary to prevent and address the causes of sexual assault, misconduct, and rape within the confinement of FDC's facilities. Grant funds will be used to focus on the following:

- Retrofitting a major youthful offender facility with surveillance technology to address security and safety needs.

- Enhancing investigative techniques to elicit sensitive information from victims and perpetrators.

- Providing further education and training throughout the state to staff and inmates.

CA/NCF