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TJJD Hosts PREA Audit Readiness Conference

On September 28-30, 2015, TJJD’s PREA Compliance Division hosted a statewide PREA Audit Readiness training in Austin at the Omni Southpark Hotel.  Attendees included 87 PREA Coordinators, PREA Compliance Managers, Facility Administrators and facility staff from state and local juvenile facilities across Texas.  The focus of this three-day intensive training was helping facilities understand the PREA audit requirements, the audit process and prepare for upcoming audits to ensure compliance with the PREA standards.  TJJD staff Lisa Capers and Jerome Williams, Department of Justice Certified PREA Auditors, conducted the training along with several guest speakers including Elizabeth Henneke, Policy Attorney for the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, and Keisha C. Martinez, LPC-S, Clinical Services Director at Out Youth Austin.


TJJD Begins PREA Audits for Counties


TJJD’s PREA Compliance Division began conducting audits of the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act standards in county-operated juvenile facilities in August of 2015.  The PREA standards became effective on August 19, 2012.  The first audit cycle began August 20, 2013 and will conclude on August 19, 2016.  All juvenile facilities nationwide are required to have an audit during the three year audit cycle.  Jerome Williams, PREA Compliance Administrator and Lisa Capers, Senior Director of Training and Organizational Development, both Department of Justice Certified PREA Auditors, will be conducting PREA audits of select county juvenile facilities statewide through August of 2016.  TJJD is providing audits to county facilities at no cost to the county for those counties that expressed an interest in having a PREA audit.  Jerome and Lisa will be conducting audits in 13 counties covering 19 juvenile facilities in total.  TJJD has also contracted with six private PREA auditors to complete an additional 20 audits in county facilities during 2016. TJJD Executive Director David Reilly explained why it is important for TJJD to conduct PREA audits, “TJJD believes that the PREA standards are smart correctional practice for all juvenile facilities and we are committed to supporting PREA compliance.  Assisting the counties in securing PREA audits is a critical step to ensure and enhance the sexual safety of youth.”

Several departments across the state opted to have their audit done this fall.  Denton County was the first county facility audited by TJJD PREA auditors in August of this year.  Two of Dallas County’s four facilities were audited in September by Jerome Williams.  Dr. Terry Smith, Director in Dallas County found the audit experience to be a positive process stating, “While any audit can be anxiety producing…we were glad to be the “pilot” county.  The lessons learned and the feedback received will only ensure we are meeting compliance for our Department.  This was a good collaboration.”  The Bell County Juvenile Services Center was also audited in September.  Director Susan Humphrey found the PREA audit to be a paradigm shift from traditional correctional audits. She explained, “For as much as we prepared, we underestimated the level of detail of a PREA audit.  It’s not just ‘checking the box.’  It’s explaining what the box represents and why you checked it.  And it’s ensuring that all your staff has the same understanding of the box.  Lisa Capers provided us with much assistance throughout the week of our audit and was great at providing feedback each and every day while she was here.  We’ve also had frequent and helpful communications leading up to and following the audit as well.“  Lubbock County was audited in November and TJJD will resume the PREA audits in the counties beginning with Bexar County in January of 2016.  Kimbla Newsom, Youth Services Contracts Manager, also a Certified PREA Auditor, will assist Jerome and Lisa with the audits in the larger facilities in 2016 including four facilities in Harris County.  Additionally, Teresa Stroud, Senior Director of State Programs and Facilities, who recently completed the PREA Auditor Training in San Diego, California, will be conducting audits in select counties.


PHOTO: TJJD’s PREA Auditors: Kimbla Newsom, Teresa Stroud, Lisa Capers, and Jerome Williams.

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