Which standards does the Department incorporate into Administrative Orders and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)?

• A. Prison Rape Elimination Act National Standards
• B. Health Insurance Privacy Standards
• C. National Facility Safety Standards
• D. Correctional Health Compliance Standards

Answer: (A)

The standards incorporated are the Prison Rape Elimination Act National Standards. These establish the required policies for preventing, detecting, reporting, investigating, and responding to sexual abuse and harassment in confinement settings. By weaving these into Administrative Orders and SOPs, the department ensures consistent implementation, trained staff, clear reporting and investigation procedures, and compliance with PREA requirements and audits. Other standards, such as HIPAA privacy rules, address different concerns and do not provide the PREA-specific framework used to govern administrative directives in correctional facilities.