Gay, Bisexual, Lesbian, and Transgender

During this reporting period, the Crime Victims Treatment Center developed and delivered the victim service provider training during this quarter. There were no other significant updates to the grant strategies.

During this reporting period, the camera system platform was identified, purchased and delivered. Agency and facility staff were trained in the utilization of the new system. The grantee developed a PREA peer education curriculum and all of the materials needed for the peer education program. It cannot be implemented until a PREA Specialist is hired. The agency is in the purchasing phase for the camera system platform. The job description for the PREA Accountability position is complete and was posted.

During this reporting period, the camera system platform was identified, purchased and delivered. Agency and facility staff were trained in the utilization of the new system. The grantee developed a PREA peer education curriculum and all of the materials needed for the peer education program. It cannot be implemented until a PREA Specialist is hired. The agency is in the purchasing phase for the camera system platform. The job description for the PREA Accountability position was completed and was posted.

During this reporting period, Colorado Department of Corrections closed out their grant. By the end of the grant, CDOC purchased and installed additional cameras and multiplexers to improve video storage capacity and enhance monitoring of staff and incarcerated persons. This upgrade supported timely investigations by retaining footage for a longer period. CODOC acknowledged there was a gap in acquiring video footage as part of a PREA investigation. By upgrading the camera and recording system, CODOC was able to complete more thorough investigations using video footage.

During this reporting period, the camera project at South Mississippi Correctional Institution is approximately 50% complete. Cameras will be added to holding cells. This is an addition to the original project and will require an additional purchase of cameras and a network video recorder (NVR). Cameras were installed at South Mississippi (SMCI). The DVR installation is pending delivery. Wires installation was complete for the infirmary cameras. Data continues to be sent manually to the PC.

During this reporting period, Henderson County closed out their grant. By the end of the grant, HCDC's PC and TMG's coach developed a plan to accomplish the grant goals. The plan included working with the Jailer and finance department to understand the benefits of using grant funds to improve sexual safety. HCDC's PC learned about the requirements of the PREA Standards through PREA Resource Center (PRC) trainings and webinars, reviewing information and available resources on the PRC website, participating in coaching calls, and completing a PREA investigator's training.

During this reporting period, the coach has been in regular contact with Maine DOC. As mentioned in previous reports, the agency has had turnover in the PREA Coordinator position in the last year. The agency appointed an interim PC, but they did not want to make changes to the grant without the permanent PC being in place. A permanent PC was soon appointed and the interim and the new PC seemed poised to quickly move the grant along. For example, they got a translation of the PRC intake video done for those who speak Somali.

PRC Staff member Teresa Stroud and Director Dana Shoenberg presented in-person training to members of the Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators (CJJA) Summer Business meeting. The meeting is primarily attended by Executive Directors of state Juvenile Justice agencies (or their designee), and Chief Juvenile Probation Officers from locally operated juvenile agencies. The training for this meeting was focused on Staffing Plans. The PRC had a co-presenter, the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer from Bexar County, TX, Jill Mata.

PRC staff member Maren Arbach presented to the CJJA PREA Committee, "You Get What You Inspect". Arbach is a dual-certified auditor and former state correctional agency PREA Coordinator. Arbach provided training on how to monitor a facility for ongoing compliance with the standards by organizing required documentation, use of checklists to ensure ongoing compliance, and tips on monitoring compliance with specific standards to ensure consistent compliance with standards.

PRC staff Teresa Stroud and Director Dana Shoenberg delivered in-person training to a group of new directors and superintendents at the Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators (CJJA) sponsored by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) in Riveria Beach, Florida on September 11, 2024. The training was titled Sexual Safety in Confinement, Opportunities for Leadership.