Auditor search

Below is a list of all currently certified, previously certified, decertified, suspended, and restricted auditors. Auditor searches can be customized by location and certification status.

Each PREA audit must have one lead DOJ-certified PREA auditor who is responsible for the conduct of the audit and all work products. A lead auditor can employ other DOJ-certified PREA auditors to function as secondary auditors or support staff who are not DOJ-certified auditors. However, it is important to know that auditors who have been decertified or who are on suspension may not participate in PREA audits, nor as an agent of a PREA auditor. (See 34 U.S.C. §30307(e)(8)(B)(i).) An auditor with 'Restricted' status may need permission from the DOJ PREA Management Office to initiate new PREA audits or complete PREA audits in progress.

Agencies and facilities, as well as DOJ-certified PREA auditors seeking audit support staff, are strongly encouraged to check the list for the names of auditors who have been decertified and auditors who are suspended, to ensure that the selected auditor and support staff employed by the auditor are eligible.

Note that auditors who voluntarily surrendered their certification or were not recertified when their three-year certification expired are still eligible to participate in an audit as an agent of a DOJ-certified PREA auditor.

Auditors submitted the bio information located below. The PRC posted only those bios from certified auditors who consented, and made only minor spelling, punctuation, and grammar corrections. 

Questions about eligibility to conduct an audit or serve as support staff should be directed to the PRC by submitting a Contact us form.

Auditor search

Type of certification

Certification status

Auditor results

Wilson Smith
Certification Status
No longer certified
Allison Park, PA
Certification Date
Last Recertified On
Date Formerly Certified:
Tessie Smith
Certification Status
No longer certified
Columbia, SC
Certification Date
Date Formerly Certified:
Aaron Smoyer
Certification Status
No longer certified
Fort Collins, CO
Certification Date
Date Formerly Certified:
Candy Snyder
Certification Status
Certified
Custer, SD
Certification Date
Last Recertified On
Certification Type
Adult facilities
Juvenile facilities
Read more about Candy
Candy is the owner of Laughing Bear Inc., a security firm in business since 2009. She is certified for all types of audits and began auditing in 2014. She has conducted numerous audits for adult, juvenile and community confinement facilities. Candy’s previous position was as the Director of Operations for the South Dakota Department of Corrections (SDDOC) retiring from state government in 2020. In this position she effectively managed all SDDOC financial matters and oversaw all building structures and properties managed by the SDDOC. She was a key member of the department’s administration, reporting directly to the Cabinet Secretary. Prior to working in the DOC central office, Candy operated two juvenile facility campuses as the Operations Manager for 20 years to include financial matters, physical plant and security departments. Candy was the PREA Coordinator for the South Dokota Juvenile Division since inception of PREA until 2016. She has developed and presented training programs such as investigation, implementing the PREA standards, staff pre-service and in-service training, and offender education. In addition, she has written and trained on countless operational memorandums, policies, and post orders on day-to-day operations. Candy was the facility investigator from 2008 to 2016. She investigated facility incidents and worked cooperatively with local law enforcement agencies as well as the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation.
Contact Candy
Nina Sobotta
Certification Status
No longer certified
Stanfield, OR
Certification Date
Date Formerly Certified:
Jeanie Sohn
Certification Status
No longer certified
Honolulu, HI
Certification Date
Date Formerly Certified:
Pam Sonnen
Certification Status
Restricted
Lake Havasu City, AZ
Certification Date
Last Recertified On
Certification Type
Adult facilities
Biography
Pam is retired after 29 years with the Idaho Department of Correction. During her tenure, she served as a C.O.; sergeant; lieutenant; deputy warden at three facilities, including one co-ed; warden at two facilities; deputy chief of prisons; chief of prisons; and administrator of operations (this position supervised all prisons, community corrections, and programs). She has 28 years of experience in investigating staff and inmate sexual misconduct. Pam developed Idaho's policies and practices for PREA compliance. Since retirement I have completed 17 audits.
Melanie Spade
Certification Status
Certified
New Berlin, PA
Certification Date
Last Recertified On
Certification Type
Juvenile facilities
Read more about Melanie
Melanie is employed as a court liaison for a private residential agency in Pennsylvania. Melanie has 27 years of experience in the juvenile justice arena inclusive of the following positions- county juvenile probation officer; director of secure care, detention, and open residential services (inclusive of specialized populations); and director of quality improvement services for a 300-bed campus. Her integrity and commitment to juvenile safety are the values at the forefront of all she does.
Contact Melanie
Emmitt Sparkman
Certification Status
No longer certified
Jackson, MS
Certification Date
Date Formerly Certified:
Wayne Sparks
Certification Status
Decertified
Bristol, CT
Certification Date
Date Decertified:
Reason for Decertification:
Failure to complete and submit the PREA Auditor Certification Agreement by the designated deadline
Wilson Smith
Certification Status
No longer certified
Allison Park, PA
Certification Date
Last Recertified On
Date Formerly Certified:
Aaron Smoyer
Certification Status
No longer certified
Fort Collins, CO
Certification Date
Date Formerly Certified:
Nina Sobotta
Certification Status
No longer certified
Stanfield, OR
Certification Date
Date Formerly Certified:
Pam Sonnen
Certification Status
Restricted
Lake Havasu City, AZ
Certification Date
Last Recertified On
Certification Type
Adult facilities
Biography
Pam is retired after 29 years with the Idaho Department of Correction. During her tenure, she served as a C.O.; sergeant; lieutenant; deputy warden at three facilities, including one co-ed; warden at two facilities; deputy chief of prisons; chief of prisons; and administrator of operations (this position supervised all prisons, community corrections, and programs). She has 28 years of experience in investigating staff and inmate sexual misconduct. Pam developed Idaho's policies and practices for PREA compliance. Since retirement I have completed 17 audits.
Emmitt Sparkman
Certification Status
No longer certified
Jackson, MS
Certification Date
Date Formerly Certified:
Tessie Smith
Certification Status
No longer certified
Columbia, SC
Certification Date
Date Formerly Certified:
Candy Snyder
Certification Status
Certified
Custer, SD
Certification Date
Last Recertified On
Certification Type
Adult facilities
Juvenile facilities
Read more about Candy
Candy is the owner of Laughing Bear Inc., a security firm in business since 2009. She is certified for all types of audits and began auditing in 2014. She has conducted numerous audits for adult, juvenile and community confinement facilities. Candy’s previous position was as the Director of Operations for the South Dakota Department of Corrections (SDDOC) retiring from state government in 2020. In this position she effectively managed all SDDOC financial matters and oversaw all building structures and properties managed by the SDDOC. She was a key member of the department’s administration, reporting directly to the Cabinet Secretary. Prior to working in the DOC central office, Candy operated two juvenile facility campuses as the Operations Manager for 20 years to include financial matters, physical plant and security departments. Candy was the PREA Coordinator for the South Dokota Juvenile Division since inception of PREA until 2016. She has developed and presented training programs such as investigation, implementing the PREA standards, staff pre-service and in-service training, and offender education. In addition, she has written and trained on countless operational memorandums, policies, and post orders on day-to-day operations. Candy was the facility investigator from 2008 to 2016. She investigated facility incidents and worked cooperatively with local law enforcement agencies as well as the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation.
Contact Candy
Jeanie Sohn
Certification Status
No longer certified
Honolulu, HI
Certification Date
Date Formerly Certified:
Melanie Spade
Certification Status
Certified
New Berlin, PA
Certification Date
Last Recertified On
Certification Type
Juvenile facilities
Read more about Melanie
Melanie is employed as a court liaison for a private residential agency in Pennsylvania. Melanie has 27 years of experience in the juvenile justice arena inclusive of the following positions- county juvenile probation officer; director of secure care, detention, and open residential services (inclusive of specialized populations); and director of quality improvement services for a 300-bed campus. Her integrity and commitment to juvenile safety are the values at the forefront of all she does.
Contact Melanie
Wayne Sparks
Certification Status
Decertified
Bristol, CT
Certification Date
Date Decertified:
Reason for Decertification:
Failure to complete and submit the PREA Auditor Certification Agreement by the designated deadline