Sexual safety in custody is governed by different frameworks depending on who operates the facility. Two come up most often: PREA and SAAPI. They share a purpose but apply to different settings — and knowing which governs your facility matters.
What is PREA?
The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) is a Department of Justice framework establishing national standards to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual abuse and harassment in confinement. PREA standards apply to prisons, jails, lockups, community confinement, and juvenile facilities, and compliance is verified through certified PREA audits.
What is SAAPI?
SAAPI stands for Sexual Assault Awareness, Prevention and Intervention. It is the Department of Homeland Security / ICE detention standard addressing sexual abuse and assault in immigration detention. SAAPI mirrors the intent and much of the structure of PREA, adapted to the immigration detention context and incorporated into the applicable detention standards.
How they compare
- Authority: PREA is a DOJ framework; SAAPI is a DHS/ICE standard.
- Setting: PREA covers correctional and juvenile confinement broadly; SAAPI applies to ICE immigration detention.
- Purpose: Both aim to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual abuse and assault, and to protect the people in custody.
- Verification: Both rely on structured audits, documentation, staff training, and grievance and investigation processes.
Why the distinction matters
A facility measured against the wrong framework can believe it is compliant when it is not. Immigration detention facilities need to demonstrate SAAPI compliance under their applicable detention standards, while correctional facilities are audited under PREA. Some operators must account for both across a mixed portfolio.
How CCS helps
CCS began as PREA Auditors of America and became the largest PREA audit contractor in the nation. We support both frameworks — certified PREA and SAAPI compliance — from gap analysis and staff training through audit and corrective action. If you operate immigration detention, see our federal detention services.