New York City Department of Correction Multi-Agency Project to Establish "Zero Tolerance" Culture for Sexual Assault in Correctional Facilities

The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Program provides funding to state governments for demonstration projects within local adult and juvenile confinement settings, including jails and juvenile detention facilities, law enforcement lockups and other temporary holding facilities, and tribal detention facilities. Funding is awarded to states that successfully communicate a comprehensive approach to the prevention, detection, and response to the incidence of sexual abuse and clearly prioritize gaps which are as of yet unaddressed, either programmatically or through changes in policy and procedures, as it relates to implementation of the PREA standards. The goal of this program is to assist local adult and juvenile facilities in implementing prevention, identification, and response mechanisms that will reduce the incidence of sexual abuse in confinement facilities.

The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services and the New York City Department of Correction (DOC) have launched a system-wide effort to develop policies and practices that are in compliance with the PREA standards and sexual assault prevention. In collaboration with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Department of Investigation, the DOC has begun a multi-agency, system-wide effort to institutionalize policies and practices that support and sustain compliance with PREA standards and the prevention of inmate sexual abuse.

The DOC will conduct the following: (1) work in collaboration with an identified national expert to conduct an initial assessment of current policies, practices, training curricula, tools for monitoring and prevention, and organizational barriers for change; (2) develop a strategic plan for leadership, organizational culture, operational practice, and performance enhancement; (3) implement and support practices that prevent sexual abuse; and (4) support the advancement of national best practices. With the support of a research partner, the DOC will conduct an evaluation to assess and learn from the implementation of these strategies.

CA/NCF