How often must facilities undergo PREA audits?

• A. At least once every three years, with unannounced site visits.
• B. Annually with announced site visits.
• C. Every five years with announced visits.
• D. Only after a major incident.

Answer: (A)

Audits are used to verify ongoing compliance with PREA standards through independent assessment. Facilities must undergo a PREA audit at least once every three years, and these audits must include unannounced site visits. The unannounced visits ensure observers can see actual practices and conditions rather than what might be staged for a scheduled review, which helps verify that policies, training, reporting, and responses are truly in place on a day-to-day basis. An annual audit with announced visits could allow facilities to prepare for the inspection, which misses the point of independent verification. Waiting five years is too long and waiting for a major incident neglects proactive monitoring. The three-year schedule with unannounced visits provides regular, real-world checks that support ongoing compliance.