Nebraska's Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center-Hastings (YRTC-Hastings) earned a report of 100 percent compliance on its federally mandated Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) audit, which measures 42 different standards.
This accomplishment follows a stellar December PREA report achieved by sister facility YRTC-Kearney. YRTC-Hastings serves female youth, while YRTC-Kearney serves male youth.
The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) was passed unanimously by both parties in Congress in 2003. The purpose of the act is to provide for the analysis of the incidence and effects of prison rape in federal, state, and local institutions and to provide information, resources, recommendations, and funding to protect individuals from prison rape.
“This report speaks to our team's consistent excellence and the efforts they make to help those we serve live better lives," said Larry Kahl, chief operating officer of DHHS. “They make us proud every single day. This is a well-deserved recognition."
“Our team consistently demonstrates incredible dedication and professionalism for the youth we serve and the State of Nebraska," said Mark LaBouchardiere, administrator of the Office of Juvenile Services (OJS) in the Division of Children & Family Services. “I'm very proud of the YRTC-Hastings staff and the compliance team for this accomplishment, and I commend them for their hard work."
The PREA audit requires auditors to be onsite for an appropriate length of time; conduct a thorough site review of each audited facility, including functional tests of key systems and operations; interview a representative sample of inmates, staff, contractors, and volunteers; and collect and analyze detailed documentation that provides the evidence base for determining the facility's practices during the course of at least the prior twelve months.
“Our team works very hard to provide life-transforming experiences for the youth we serve," said Camella Jacobe, facility administrator for YRTC-Hastings. “I'm proud of this accomplishment."
The YRTC-Hastings audit was conducted on October 21 and 22, 2021, by Candy Snyder, a Department of Justice-certified PREA auditor, and the formal final study was released on March 29. The audit is the first for the facility in Hastings; previously, female youth were housed at a facility in Geneva.
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