Field training opportunity for facilities

The PREA Resource Center (PRC) and the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) PREA Management Office use the Field Training Program (FTP) to provide field auditing experience — in a supervised and supported environment — for auditor trainees who are seeking PREA auditor certification. The goal for this program is to strengthen auditor trainees’ PREA auditing skills, increase their experience with the PREA auditing process and methodology, enhance their understanding of the PREA Standards, and provide them with an opportunity to become familiar with and use the audit instrument and other audit tools and resources. As we build the strengths of our auditor trainees, PRC staff will also focus on providing service and support to the host facility while designing a roadmap to advance implementation efforts. 

Training audits will take place at selected FTP host facilities in 2023, where facility leadership and staff are provided the unique opportunity to participate in a PREA field training audit. Hosting an FTP audit connects facilities and their staff with subject matter experts, implementation assistance, and practical experience to prepare for a compliance audit. (Note: Participation in an FTP training audit does not qualify as a PREA compliance audit.) Experienced auditors as well as DOJ and PRC staff facilitate the field training audit and offer guidance and mentorship to auditor trainees and host facilities during every step of the process. 

The field training audit process is similar to the PREA compliance audit process with pre-onsite, onsite, and post-onsite audit phases. The field training audit process differs by including a project kickoff phase prior to the pre-onsite phase. From the start of the project kickoff phase to the end of the post-onsite phase, the field training audit is 27 weeks in duration.
 

  • During the eight-week project kickoff phase, the PRC’s FTP team will work closely with and provide ongoing support to the facility while it completes the Pre-Audit Questionnaire in the Online Audit System, prepares documentation and critical information for the audit team, and develops a facility PREA team to support audit functions. Frequent and regular contact is established in this phase to foster audit and logistical planning for the training audit. 
  • During the eight-week pre-onsite phase, the FTP team (which includes a lead auditor, several faculty, and auditor trainees) will continue to meet with and gather important information and documentation from facility representatives.
  • During the five-day onsite phase, the FTP team will coordinate with facility staff to conduct a facility site review, observe sexual safety practices, test critical functions, interview staff and inmates/residents/detainees, and select additional documentation for review.
  • During the ten-week post-onsite phase, the FTP team will review and analyze the evidence collected during the pre-onsite and onsite phases and provide a written assessment of compliance, along with corrective action recommendations when necessary, on select PREA Standards often seen as the most challenging for implementing and sustaining compliance. 

After the post-onsite phase ends, the PRC provides its FTP host facilities with up to 30 hours of subject matter expertise to prioritize implementation needs and remedy gaps in compliance identified by the training audit team.

While participation in the program requires staff time and the use of facility resources, such as space and equipment, there is no financial cost to facilities for participation in this unique training opportunity.
 

Facility eligibility

In an effort to provide the most meaningful training experience, the PRC is seeking interested facilities, ideally with an average daily population between 100 and 800 for prisons and jails or at least 75 residents for juvenile facilities, that:

  • Possess capability (i.e. adequate internet access) to complete an online Pre-Audit Questionnaire.
  • Have onsite medical and mental health services.
  • Are within approximately 50-70 miles of a major airport.
  • Are within approximately 10 miles of a hotel that will provide accommodations at the government lodging rate.
  • Can provide transportation for the audit team to and from the airport at the beginning and end of the onsite week, and to and from the facility each day.

A signed statement of support from the agency director who oversees the facility (or their equivalent) is required. This statement should indicate that the agency director (or their equivalent) is supportive of the facility's participation in the FTP and commitment of resources for the training audit.
 

Training audit cycle for 2023

The application for host facilities for the 2023 training audit cycle can be found here.

If you have any questions about the Field Training Program, please submit questions through Contact Us.

Field Training Program events are pending availability of funds and an extension of the cooperative agreement with the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) for operation of the PRC.
 

Testimonials

“The FTP assisted with letting us know where we are as a facility and a clear overview of what an audit will look like when we become compliant.” – Clark County Detention Center

“The PRC Field Training Program is a great learning tool, not only for the auditor trainees but for facility staff as well.  We hope to be able to participate in the FTP again in the future.” – Baker County Detention Center

“All the PREA Staff were very knowledgeable and carried years of experience which assisted us in viewing our facility from another set of lenses. The feedback from faculty was truly helpful and the willingness to answer our questions made the environment much more comfortable.” – Racine County Jail