Update on events since February 1, 2014 PREA Committee Meeting in Tampa, FL

 February 11, 2014 the US Department of Justice sent the Governor’s letters informing the Governors that they had two options; to sign and return the PREA Standards Certification Form or the PREA Standards Assurance Form by the due date of May 15,  That prompted letters from some Governors to Attorney General Holder, the likes of Texas, Idaho, and others indicating their frustrations with the DOJ PREA process.

 Members of the ASCA PREA Committee prepared a briefing on PREA to share with Governors attending the NGA Conference in Washington, DC, February 22-24, 2014  May 12, 2014, NGA drafted a letter to AG Holder, but it is unknown if the letter was sent from the body. The letter expressed an appreciation of the intent and spirit of PREA, while encouraging the opportunity to work with the DOJ to devise workable and cost effective solutions to reach the goals of the act.

 On April 22, 2014, ASCA President A.T. Wall sent a letter to the Honorable Eric Holder, Attorney General of the United States, on behalf of the ASCA membership supporting the prompt implementation of the PREA standards and acknowledging that we were working hard to achieve those standards.  All the while highlighting the fact that the States will be penalized before we have an opportunity to comply with the PREA Standards and requesting AG Holder’s support in granting relief from the imposition of penalties beginning in FY’15.

As of the May 15, 2014, deadline for states and territories to submit certifications or assurances the DOJ reported that; States that certified full compliance (2)  New Hampshire  New Jersey States and territories that submitted an assurance (46 states) *The governors of Missouri and the U.S. Virgin Islands have indicated on their respective PREA Assurance forms that their juvenile facilities are in full compliance with the National PREA Standards.

 States and the territory subject to a five percent reduction in certain department grant funding after declining provide an affirmation or certification of compliance (8)   Arizona   Florida**   Idaho   Indiana   Nebraska   Northern Marianas Islands**   Texas   Utah **States and territories that not have yet provided sufficient information from the governor to indicate whether or not they will affirm or certify compliance

 This prompted media coverage, which often focused on the states that declined to complete either PREA Standards form for the DOJ.  Only Two States Comply With Prison Anti-Rape Law, DOJ Says  By John Gramlich, CQ Roll Call  All of the seven non-compliant states are led by Republican governors. Five of those governors informed Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. earlier this month that they would not comply with the federal law, according to The Associated Press…

 August 5, 2014  AP Reporters reached out to several states to include DE, WI and NJ seeking PREA Grant history. How much grant funding was received? Did the States match the Federal funding? How did the grant funds get spent? Anticipated costs to come into full compliance?

Saturday, August 16, 2014