LGBTQ

During this reporting period both OYA and DOC wrapped up final project tasks. They will begin closeout activities in the next reporting period. Both sites continue to be thoughtful in their PREA implementation efforts and they have completed tasks successfully. The grant successfully closed out on 9/30/23.

During this reporting period, the second-year funds from the Great Lake Leadership Training were reallocated to host the Annual National PREA Coordinators Conference in Buffalo, NY in July 2024. The female curriculum and training execution is complete.

During this reporting period, the PREA education video was discussed and will be gender responsive and intended to comply with the DOJ settlement agreement at the female facility. The RFP is in procurement and a vendor cannot be identified until the RFP is released. Video scripting and purposes. Discussions were conducted with the group regarding the pros/cons of use of actual inmates and staff for videos. Suggestion by some staff to use former inmates, which would be less complicated. Staff will discuss with administration.

During this reporting period, the agency PREA Coordinator (PC) discussed difficulties the agency has with PREA implementation. The coaches established an agenda for the coaching calls with all grant goals listed. This will assist the grantee with staying on task with goals. The coaches will provide guidelines to input progress, and assignments. The PC was assigned additional duties since the compliance staff left the agency. The PC expressed concerns about hiring one investigator. The investigator is expected to be on board at the beginning of 2024.

During this review period, the grant strategies are under revision. The budget and program GAM was discussed. Since the on-site visit, there has been no information from MCSO leadership regarding the strategy denial, request for further information, and goal revisions. An NCE was submitted and is pending approval. During the goal revision process, the coaches were heavily involved and reviewed the agency response to the BJA's request for additional information, budget justification, and budget breakdown for three areas which were pending approval/denial.

During this review period, the PREA policies and coordinated response were revised and reviewed by the co-coaches. Forms referenced in the policy were also reviewed and revised. Coaches provided guidance on developing a PREA risk screening tool and process. PREA pamphlets and signage was developed. The implementation plan goals will be revised and submitted after the on-site visit. The agency does not want to use funds on an evaluator since there is no formal PREA program at the agency. An NCE was submitted and approved.

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 cable installation was near completion for the new cameras. FY20 funds are being expended and may be amended to include PREA training, and other PREA materials.