What does an unannounced PREA audit entail?

• A. A scheduled on-site review with notice.
• B. A desk review of records only.
• C. An off-site audit conducted without access to facilities.
• D. An on-site assessment conducted without prior notice to verify actual practices and compliance.

Answer: (D)

Unannounced PREA audits are on-site reviews that happen without any prior notice. The purpose is to verify actual practices, not just what’s written in policies or shown during a scheduled visit. The auditor arrives at the facility, observes day-to-day operations, interviews staff and residents, and reviews records, incident reports, and current procedures to confirm that PREA standards are being implemented in real life.

This differs from a scheduled review, which allows advance preparation; a desk review, which looks only at records from a distance; and an off-site audit, which lacks access to the facility and its environment. The unannounced, on-site approach ensures that facilities maintain consistent compliance and can’t rely on temporary changes or prepared appearances.