Which statement about PREA audits is accurate?

• A. They can be scheduled in advance to give facilities time to prepare.
• B. They focus only on the adequacy of records.
• C. They are conducted remotely via video only.
• D. They involve on-site assessment conducted without prior notice to verify actual practices and compliance.

Answer: (D)

Audits are about proving how things actually work, not just what the policy says on paper. They’re conducted on-site and without prior notice, so the evaluator can see real conditions, observe how staff handle situations, and verify that procedures are being followed in practice. This unannounced approach prevents facilities from simply showing how they want to be seen during a scheduled visit and helps ensure inmate safety is truly being protected.

Remote, video-only reviews wouldn’t capture on-the-ground interactions, the facility’s environment, or how reports and investigations are handled in real time. Likewise, focusing only on records could miss whether policies are being implemented day to day. So the on-site, unannounced assessment that verifies actual practices and compliance is the accurate understanding of PREA audits.