How often must criminal background checks be conducted for current employees and contractors?

• A. At least every five years
• B. Every year
• C. Every two years
• D. Upon retirement

Answer: (A)

Ongoing safety depends on regularly re-screening staff and contractors who have contact with inmates. Under PREA standards, once someone is already employed or contracted, criminal background checks must be repeated at least every five years to catch any new disqualifying offenses or new information that could affect their suitability. This five-year interval strikes a balance between maintaining a secure environment and managing resources, ensuring that current personnel continue to meet the required standards over time.

Other options aren’t aligned with this ongoing requirement. Doing checks every year would be more burdensome without added safety benefit at that frequency, a two-year interval is shorter than the standard, and checking only at retirement ignores the need to verify ongoing suitability for those currently in roles.