FY2016 Prison Rape Elimination Act (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) 2016.

The goals of the FY 2016 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 grantee will use awarded PREA Reallocation funds to conduct pre- (mock) audits, selecting and entering into agreements with auditors to perform audits and covering the costs associated with an anticipated corrective action plan. It is anticipated that 24 correctional facilities during will be audited during FY 2016. The grantee will purchase and install mirrors in facility locations identified as having blind spots to enhance vision in such locations and investigative training skills will be provided to Sex Crimes Division and Internal Affairs Division investigators to assist in acquiring specialized skills.
NCA/NCF