Hawaii - FY 2015 JAG-PREA Reallocation Funds

The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) provides that a state or territory whose governor does not certify full compliance with the standards is subject to the loss of five percent of any DOJ grant funds that it would otherwise receive for prison purposes, unless the governor submits an assurance that such five percent will be used only for the purpose of enabling the state to achieve and certify full compliance with the standards in future years. See 42 U.S.C. 15607(c). The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program is one of the DOJ grant programs subject to this requirement in fiscal year (FY) 2015, which commenced on October 1, 2014 and ends on September 30, 2015. The goals of the FY 2015 PREA Reallocation JAG Program are to continue implementation of the national standards to prevent, detect, and respond to prison rape in order to protect individuals from sexual abuse and sexual harassment in confinement.

The recipient will utilize the FY15 PREA Reallocation funds to support the Hawaii Department of Public Safety. Funds will be utilized to implement an automated PREA screening tool, enhance monitoring technology through video surveillance, train and certify additional staff as PREA auditors, and support the PREA audit process. Their project goals are to strengthen their capacity and improve the quality of services provided to inmates.

NCA/NCF