What privacy considerations apply during PREA investigations?

• A. Privacy for victims and witnesses should be ignored to ensure quick conclusions.
• B. Privacy for victims and witnesses should be protected to the greatest extent possible, with information shared only on a need-to-know basis.
• C. Only investigators may view records regardless of need-to-know.
• D. Privacy is less important than administrative convenience.

Answer: (B)

Protecting privacy is essential in PREA investigations because safeguarding the confidentiality of victims and witnesses helps them feel safe enough to come forward and reduces the risk of retaliation. The best approach is to protect privacy to the greatest extent possible and share information only with those who have a legitimate need to know in order to conduct the investigation or to ensure safety and appropriate responses. In practice, this means limiting access to records and details to staff directly involved in the case or in safety planning, while keeping unnecessary information restricted. This balance supports a thorough investigation while minimizing harm, preserving trust in the process, and encouraging future reporting. Choices that ignore privacy, restrict access to only one role without need, or prioritize convenience over confidentiality undermine both safety and fairness and run counter to PREA’s protections.