FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 4, 2022) – The Southeast State Correctional Complex (SSCC) passed its recent Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) audit. Signed into law Sept. 4, 2003, PREA is intended to address the detection, prevention, reduction, and prosecution of sexual harassment and abuse in correctional facilities in the country.
The audit team consisted of PREA auditor Lori Fadorick, contracted by the American Correctional Association.
“I was very impressed with the professionalism of the staff and their efforts to provide a culture of rehabilitation to the offenders in their care,” said Fadorick. “Despite dealing with the hardships that all public safety agencies are facing and the challenges of operating a correctional facility in the midst of a pandemic, the staff are positive and foster an environment of cooperation.”
“While only recently becoming an active and operational adult prison, SSCC has rapidly established a record of professionalism and accomplishment. Achieving PREA compliance, based on meeting numerous nationally established and recognized standards, is an indication of the dedicated caliber of staff at the facility. I am proud of SSCC and their accomplishment,” said Deputy Commissioner of Adult Institutions Randy White.
Agency PREA Coordinator Pamela Clayton emphasized PREA compliance is an ongoing process and requires diligence to both achieve and maintain. “Achieving this successful audit is a testament to the priority that has been placed on sexual safety for inmates at the facility from its opening. The staff at SSCC have worked hard to develop and maintain compliance despite the operational challenges of the current pandemic,” Clayton said.
“It is such an accomplishment for our institution to be compliant in all standards during our initial PREA audit,” said Warden Craig Hughes. “To have exceeded in several of these standards shows SSCC’s dedication to the detection, response, and prevention of sexual assault and sexual harassment of inmates.”
PREA audits consist of 45 national standards that ensure compliance with all facets of this federal legislation. SSCC, located in Wheelwright, was opened in 2020. This was their first PREA audit.