2019 Alaska PREA Reallocation

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 34 U.S.C. 30307(e). The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program is one of the DOJ grant programs subject to this requirement in fiscal year (FY) 2019. The goals of the FY 2019 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. States funded under this program are eligible to receive support and assistance from a BJA funded technical assistance provider. The Alaska Department of Public Safety will utilize the FY19 PREA Reallocation funds to support the Alaska Department of Corrections. Funds will be utilized to improve the Department of Corrections ability to detect and respond to sexual abuse by improving video monitoring. This will enable the Department to better meet the requirements of 28 CFR§ 115.13 and 115.18.