How should risk screening information be used according to PREA standards?

How should risk screening information be used according to PREA standards?

• A. The Department shall use information from risk screening to make housing, bed, work, education, and program placements with the goal of keeping separate high risk victims and abusers
• B. The Department uses risk information only for security staffing decisions
• C. Risk screening results must be kept confidential and not used for placement
• D. Risk screening should be shared publicly in weekly reports

Answer: (A)

Risk screening information is used to determine where and how individuals are housed and engaged in programs in order to reduce the risk of sexual abuse by keeping high-risk victims and high-risk abusers separated. The standard directs that risk information guide housing, bed assignments, work, education, and program placements with that separation goal in mind. This approach protects victims and reduces opportunities for abuse, while still allowing access to needed services and programs. Screening results are kept confidential to protect individuals’ privacy, but confidentiality does not mean the data aren’t used for placement decisions. They must inform where people live and what programs or duties they are assigned to. The other options fall short because limiting the use of risk information to staffing, or denying its use for placement, or sharing it publicly would undermine safety and privacy.

Risk screening information is used to determine where and how individuals are housed and engaged in programs in order to reduce the risk of sexual abuse by keeping high-risk victims and high-risk abusers separated. The standard directs that risk information guide housing, bed assignments, work, education, and program placements with that separation goal in mind. This approach protects victims and reduces opportunities for abuse, while still allowing access to needed services and programs.

Screening results are kept confidential to protect individuals’ privacy, but confidentiality does not mean the data aren’t used for placement decisions. They must inform where people live and what programs or duties they are assigned to. The other options fall short because limiting the use of risk information to staffing, or denying its use for placement, or sharing it publicly would undermine safety and privacy.