Kearney's Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
LINCOLN —The Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers in Hastings (YRTC-Hastings) and Kearney (YRTC-Kearney) received 100% compliance ratings on their federal audits from the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) this month, with both facilities meeting all 43 of the audit’s standards and exceeding two.
“I am extremely pleased with these results, as well as the hard work done by YRTC-Hastings and YRTC-Kearney to receive them,” said Director of Facilities Mark LaBouchardiere. “This score reflects the measures our staff take to ensure the safety and well-being of all of the youth at our facilities.”
Since 2013, PREA audits are required every three years for all covered confinement facilities. The audits include a thorough review and analysis of the facility’s practices to ensure its compliance with PREA. Both YRTC-Kearney and YRTC-Hastings have a history of perfect scores with their PREA audits.
“The team here at YRTC-Hastings is always passionately dedicated to making sure we are putting the best supports in place for our youth,” said YRTC-Hastings Facility Administrator Camella Jacobe.
“YRTC-Kearney has a high set of standards for how we care for the youth at our facility, and these results are reflective of how diligently our staff work to achieve them,” said YRTC-Kearney Facility Administrator Cindy Krolikowski.
YRTC-Hastings and YRTC-Kearney shared their two exceeding standards, which included zero tolerance of sexual abuse and sexual harassment through PREA compliance staffing and obtaining information from residents.
“I could not be prouder of the YRTCs for receiving such high marks on this annual audit,” said Children and Family Services Director Dr. Alyssa Bish. “The importance of our youth’s safety and security cannot be understated, and these audits show just how much our team cares for their protection.”
