Virginia PREA Experience Director, Harold W. Clarke
The Plan Forming Strategy Structure Storming Training Policy Implementation Norming Audit Schedules Operationalizing
Beginnings 2007 VA began initial work Initial structure under Inspector General 2011 Appointed Statewide PREA Coordinator Structure crafted; team hired mid-2012 Team salary and fringes approximately $178,000 Analysis of agency compliance against new standards Gap Analysis
Director CR PREA Analyst Operations Manager/PREA ER PREA Analyst Hotline Coordinator WR PREA Analyst Facility Compliance Managers Chief Food Service Offender Mgmt. Visitation Correspondence
Implementation Created state compliance action plan Focus on culture change from top down Standard requirements for compliance Tackled policy changes, other low hanging fruit Physical plant/electronic monitoring approximately $400,000 in FY 2014 & 2015 Trained all Wardens/Superintendents in PREA and impact on VADOC Began all specialized training –Investigators, Medical, Mental Health, Volunteers/Contractors Community partnerships
Implementation (continued) Began design of audit structure Structure for audits/files Schedule for audits Created Youthful Transition Program $660,000 to staff/program this unit Floor Officer/Booth Officer—7 Post Audit Specialized Treatment Training for Staff Provide on Unit Education/Vocational Analysts began pre-audits, extensive facility visits to ensure culture pieces and compliance pieces were engrained
Audit Process Began audits in February 2014 5 DOJ certified PREA Auditors on staff Working on circular audit MOU/Mid-Atlantic Completed 1/3 of facilities by August 20, 2014 (1 st year of 3 year audit cycle) 13 facilities audited and 100% compliant 2 nd cycle initiated – 2 facilities pending final reports
“Building the Plane in Mid-Air” DOJ not ready for audits to begin No process for appeal No on-line submission tool Changes occur in midst of audit cycle Interpretations Auditors Only 50 total in February 2014 Contracted with 2 separate entities Audit costs started at approximately $10,000
“Building the Plane in Mid-Air” (continued) Announced/Unannounced Rounds Transgender Searches Housing Unit Definition State responsible offenders in jails Hiring/promotion standards
Formula Support of Governor, Secretary of Public Safety Early Intervention Creative, nimble staff Innovating constantly, incorporating changes Evidenced based practices Reentry Competitive Perfectionists
Questions/Discussion?