Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)

Since 2003, the American Correctional Association (ACA) has engaged with the United States Department of Justice, the PREA Resource Center, and correctional entities across the United States to implement the requirements of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). With the release of the national PREA standards in 2012, ACA and its auditors have played an important role in compliance for dozens of facilities in the fields of adult, juvenile, and community corrections. 

As a partner of the PREA Resource Center, ACA has dedicated its experience and expertise in auditing to the PREA audit protocol. ACA also partnered with the PREA Resource Center in the areas of communications, training, and technical assistance in sharing information, techniques, and tools for implementing the PREA requirements. To date, more than 70 ACA auditors have also been trained and certified as PREA auditors.

Many ACA accredited agencies have accepted the goals of PREA by amending their policies, procedures, and practices to meet the requirements of the PREA standards. While some ACA expected practices relate to the requirements of PREA, ACA accreditation remains a distinct process from PREA certification and adherence to the ACA expected practices does not guarantee PREA compliance. 

David Haasenritter serves as the PREA point of contact for ACA.  His duties include the coordination of PREA activities for the association, and communication with governing bodies and agencies in the process of PREA implementation.