Advanced technical assistance was provided by Impact Justice Partners at Just Detention International (JDI) to Tarrant County Sheriff's office in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas on Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response.
The National PREA Resource Center contracted with Just Detention International to identify, propose, and manage one advanced TA engagement addressing a high-priority area of sexual abuse prevention and response. The advanced TA engagement is aimed at developing model policies or practices that can be documented and replicated widely. JDI has partnered with the Tarrant County Jail and its PREA Manager, Monica Lugo.
This memo provides an overview the current status of the project goals and steps needed to complete them.
I. Goals and Current Status
The following describes the areas of focus for the advanced TA work with the Tarrant County Jail and the work that has been accomplished thus far.
? Policy development and implementation
JDI worked with Ms. Lugo to review the existing ?Transgender/Gay/Lesbian/Intersex Policy? to identify needed updates. The facility?s existing policy was woefully noncompliant with the PREA standards, particularly in its focus on identifying the genital status of transgender incarcerated people. The existing policy included a Transgender/Intersex Consent to Anatomy Verification Form with guidance for staff to ?request that an anatomy check be performed by the medical staff? when ?considering the inmate?s needs.? Ms. Lugo shared that the this is not reflective of the facility?s current practice. JDI also spoke with staff from the facility?s medical team, who also confirmed that anatomy checks are not being performed.
In revising the policy, JDI worked with Ms. Lugo to reframe the policy altogether so as to focus on the policy?s purpose ? keeping LGBTI incarcerated people safe. The revisions included a new title, TCSO LGBTI Safety and Dignity Policy, and use of person-first language throughout. Additional policy revisions included updated definitions, clarifying and expanding the role of the Gender Classification Committee, and emphasizing the need for case-by-case housing decisions. As of the writing of this report, the final draft of the updated policy is being reviewed by Tarrant County Jail leadership.
Another area of policy need for the Tarrant Couty Jail was around housing of youthful incarcerated people. JDI and Ms. Lugo brainstormed to identify safe options for housing, including the possibility of contracting with a juvenile facility. JDI also connected with the previous Director/Chief Juvenile Probation Officer for Tarrant County, Randy Turner, who provided valuable insight into the political realities in Tarrant County that limit the Tarrant County Jail?s options. As noted in the January 29, 2021 memo titled ?Advanced TA Site Selection,? Texas has a state regulation requiring youth adjudicated as adults to be housed in adult facilities.
Given the lack of appropriate options, JDI and Ms. Lugo discussed possible locations within the Tarrant County Jail that could safely house incarcerated youth with the required sight and sound separation. Ms. Lugo has also been connecting with jail leadership to explore options. This work is ongoing.
? PREA Education for Incarcerated People
Tarrant County?s goal is to ensure every individual in their custody has access to a tablet, regardless of classification or housing location. JDI and Ms. Lugo agreed that this presents an avenue for delivering crucial PREA-related education. Tarrant County plans to use the upcoming PREA education video being developed by PRC as part of a larger education strategy. Ms. Lugo has shared that the tablets can be programmed to require a review of PREA education before accessing other tablet functions. JDI shared examples of brochures, posters, and other education materials developed for a different large, urban jail. The example materials can be easily customized to ensure facility-specific information is available. Ms. Lugo has been awaiting instruction from her leadership on what supplemental materials will be used.
? Staff Training
Ms. Lugo continued to work hard to train all staff at the jail on PREA during in person training sessions. Limited resources at the jail have prevented Ms. Lugo from purchasing an e-learning platform, and JDI and Ms. Lugo have unsuccessfully searched for a low or no cost option. JDI and Ms. Lugo discussed options and decided to focus on developing curricula that can be used in person, with the option to convert it to an online training if and when an e-learning platform can be purchased. Ms. Lugo has also requested that the training curricula be broken down into shorter modules, which can be used together for new staff training and in pieces for refresher trainings. JDI is currently developing these modules, which will be completed before the end of 2022.
Ms. Lugo has also been working with the Tarrant County Jail?s medical and mental health team to review their current training curricula and identify any updates needed to ensure PREA compliance. Both medical and mental health teams currently receive comprehensive trauma-informed training, and Ms. Lugo is confident that minimal revisions will be needed. This work is ongoing.
? MOU with Women?s Center of Tarrant County
JDI developed a draft MOU in collaboration with staff from the Women?s Center of Tarrant County (WCTC), based on model MOUs used in other jurisdictions. After receiving approval from WCTC on the final draft, the MOU was shared with Ms. Lugo, who has presented it to jail leadership. As of this report, the MOU is still being reviewed.
II. Next Steps
JDI has completed all tasks, with some exceptions as noted above. Because jail leadership has not completed their review of materials developed during this project, Ms. Lugo anticipates the conversations around these materials will continue. Ms. Lugo has stated that she would appreciate the continued support from JDI in navigating these conversations, and in the eventual implementation of the policy, training, and MOU. A site visit would be very beneficial, as it would allow JDI to see the housing options for youth in-person, and to meet with jail leadership as they continue reviewing project materials.
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