Gay, Bisexual, Lesbian, and Transgender

During this reporting period, the camera project commenced for multiple facilities with one invoice being approved. The Parchman facility needs to be added to the GAM for additional cameras. The Central Mississippi Correctional (CMC) youthful offender unit camera project was completed. Due to the ongoing project of training the staff on the new cameras, there is no data for unsubstantiated allegations. The agency contact is working with the deputy superintendents to get the baseline data at the other facilities.

During this reporting period, weekly coaching meetings with the PREA Coordinator continued. The team discussed beginning PREA standards training for the PC. The team will take two or three PREA standards each meeting and discuss how it applies to HCDC, and how to implement it at that facility. The team discussed the PC attending NIC's PREA Coordinator's Roles & Responsibilities training upon completion of investigator training. The team also discussed the need to have an organizational chart indicate the PC has direct access to HCDC chief administrator regarding PREA matters.

During this reporting period, a virtual coaching session did not occur in October or December, but the coaches and PC corresponded regarding the FITA request CO DOC submitted. The request was referred to the TMG coaching team and a consultant for review. The administrative investigations template was reviewed by the consultant and Jennifer Sheahan. The review of the investigation template was sent to the PC with the option for discussion if needed. The PC reported their administration decided against the investigative training.

During this reporting period, the PREA Coordinator (PC) has been assigned other duties, leaving insufficient time for all the duties associated with PREA. The PREA Compliance Manager (PCM) has also been assigned other duties, leaving insufficient time for all the duties associated with PREA. The PC met with agency leadership, but no definitive plan for enhancing existing PREA compliance strategies was developed. During their meeting, facility leadership noted receipt of emails from the coaches, but no further action was taken.

During this reporting period, PREA signage was updated and posted throughout the facility. PREA inmate brochures were developed and printed. The PREA brochure was added to inmate intake bags to provide information on PREA zero tolerance, inmate's rights, and reporting access. The quad-fold folders are English on one side and Spanish on the other. The coaches continued to help develop the staffing plans for the jail and work annex and it is near completion.

During this review period, NYC DOC, the Special Considerations Unit (SCU) unit and proper housing for LGBTI inmates was discussed. PREA audits were discussed. There are 7 total facilities; the agency would have to do 3 facilities by August 2025, to satisfy the 1/3 of facilities audited each year. A discussion about finding an audit and developing an RFP was had. The agency contact will draft an RFP. An example of a contract was provided along with information to submit the audit RFP to the PRC to send out to all DOJ certified auditors.

During this reporting period JDI coaches met with the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (PRDCR). The agency lost their federal grant consultant who was one of the coaches main contacts for this project. Nonetheless, the PREA Coordinator has made some progress on the project goals, including the purchasing of cameras, grievance boxes and educational materials. They are also working with a training company to finalize a contract for staff training modules on various subjects including sexual victimization, communication and boundaries, culture and conflict.

During the reporting period, under their FY'22 grant, the Washington Department of Corrections (WADOC) continued to work towards their goals. The settlement agreement with Disability Rights Washington was agreed upon during this reporting period, helping guide WADOC on priorities to address and their next steps. WADOC began a development of a quick sheet and flow chart around housing and property for transgender people to help break down relevant policies.

During this reporting period, the Washington Department of Corrections (WADOC) continued to work on their FY'21 grant objectives. WADOC has continued to roll out updates on their transgender fluency training and has added information in collaboration with the Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico on how the information presented connects with the job duties of staff. The Moss Group did a site visit to WADOC and met with appointing authorities to talk about the gap analysis they completed and helped identify areas of improvement for investigations.

During this reporting period, the Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) had several issues at the county level as well as staffing issues. The coaches were told in late October that the budget for HCSO was temporally frozen, causing delays on hiring and programs across the agency. The role of PREA Coordinator continues to be vacant, with Katrina Camacho trying to complete the duties of multiple jobs until the spot is filled. In addition, HCSO still has been unable to hire a LGBTI Navigator, the main position funded under this grant.