What happens during intake screening for sexual-abuse risk (Wellpath standards) — what families should know

Under Wellpath standards, every resident gets assessed during intake for risk of sexual victimization or being sexually abusive. This is part of the PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) framework for reducing sexual abuse in custody. The goal: identify risk factors early so staff can make safer housing and supervision decisions. Wellpath's policy sets a clear timeline - the PREA intake screening must be completed within 24 hours of arrival, using a standardized screening instrument. For families, the takeaway is simple: the first day matters. Information shared right away is more useful than information that comes later.

This screening isn’t a one-time event. Under Wellpath standards, it’s done at intake and repeated upon transfer to another Wellpath facility or program, because a move can change risks and safety needs.

The screening isn't based on a single question or gut instinct. Wellpath's standards require staff to consider specific criteria that affect vulnerability or risk. At minimum, the intake screening looks at whether the person has a mental, physical, or developmental disability, along with their age, physical build, and any previous incarceration. Beyond those basics, the screening also considers factors that can raise safety concerns in custody: whether someone's criminal history is exclusively nonviolent; any prior convictions for sex offenses against an adult or child; whether the person is perceived to be LGBTI or gender nonconforming; and whether they've previously experienced sexual victimization. Here's something families don't always expect: the resident's own input matters. The screening includes the person's own perception of vulnerability. If your loved one believes they're at risk - because of past experiences, how they present, or anything else - this is a moment where saying that clearly becomes part of the official intake record.

Intake can involve more than one staff member, and the questions cover a lot of ground. In the Maple Lane program materials, the admission intake interview includes medical and medication questions, safety questions, mental health questions, and family and social history. The goal is to quickly understand immediate medical needs and any urgent safety concerns. Basic health checks happen during this process too - nursing staff assess vital signs during the admission intake interview. The intake interview may be handled by an admissions team that includes a Psychiatrist, a Competency Intervention Specialist, a Registered Nurse, and a Psychologist. This admissions team isn't necessarily the same group that provides ongoing treatment after intake, so don't be surprised if names and roles shift after the first day. A Psychiatrist or Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner reviews psychiatric treatment and medication history during intake. The person may be offered medications and encouraged to take them, with an emphasis on voluntary compliance.

How Families Prepare

• ✓ Current medications (names and doses, if you know them) and a clear psychiatric treatment/medication history
• ✓ Attorney’s name and phone number
• ✓ Pending charge(s)
• ✓ Date of admission
• ✓ Court order details (if the admission is court-ordered)