PREA & SORNA Grants

The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) is to provide for an analysis of the incidence and effects of prison rape in Federal, State, and local institutions and to provide information, resources, recommendations and funding to protect individuals from prison rape. Effective August 20, 2012, all correctional facilities including prisons, jails, juvenile facilities, military and Indian country facilities, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities within states were required to become compliant with National PREA standards. Montana is currently in compliance with national PREA standards and assessed no penalties. All non-compliant states are assessed penalties against funds received through their Justice Assistance Grant program, but are allowed to apply for and receive reallocated PREA penalty funds to support programs that help bring facilities towards and their state closer towards PREA compliance.

The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) is Title I of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006; establishing and providing comprehensive, minimum national standards for sex offender registration and notification. SORNA aims to close potential gaps and loopholes, and generally strengthens the nationwide network of sex offender registration and notification programs. The U.S. Department of Justice released national supplemental guidelines for SORNA, designed to provide guidance and assistance to jurisdictions in implementing standards in their sex offender registration and notification programs. Non-compliant states, including Montana, are assessed penalties against funds received through the Justice Assistance Grant program, but are allowed to apply for and receive reallocated SORNA penalty funds for programs that bring the state closer to substantial compliance.