Corrections facilities across the country are working to implement the PREA Standards effectively, and putting new sexual abuse reporting mechanisms in place. Incarcerated people are becoming familiar with the increased avenues for reporting sexual abuse. PREA coordinators and staff trainers emphasize the need to respond quickly to these allegations, and rightfully so. But what happens when incarcerated people use the increased attention to PREA allegations for other purposes? How can you ensure that non-legitimate sexual abuse reports are identified? How can you protect your staff from false allegations? And how can you do so and still effectively address all sexual abuse allegations through a trauma-informed lens, avoid chilling legitimate reports, and ensure that incarcerated people who report abuse continue to feel supported and get the help they need?
Learning Objectives:
Effectively reduce or eliminate the use of PREA allegations as a weapon against correctional staff and other incarcerated people.
Identify why incarcerated people may make intentionally false PREA allegations.
Ensure that correctional staff do not fear false allegations.
Ensure that incarcerated people who make legitimate PREA allegations continue to be listened to and supported.
Determine when to impose discipline for intentionally false PREA allegations.
