Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)
The Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 is a federal law that prohibits sexual misconduct in correctional settings such as prisons, jails, lockups, juvenile facilities, and Immigration Services/ICE detention facilities . Sexual misconduct under this law includes:
- Inmate-on-inmate sexual assault and abuse
- Staff-on-inmate sexual misconduct (sexual/inappropriate relationships with inmates)
- Inmate-on-inmate and staff-on-inmate sexual harassment
The Department of Correction's (DOC) policies regarding sexual misconduct apply to all inmates, both incarcerated in a prison or work release facility and on community supervision. They also apply to employees, contractors, and volunteers.
Reporting Sexual Misconduct
The Department of Corrections (DOC) is committed to providing a safe, healthy environment for staff and inmates. Every report is taken seriously and all allegations will be thoroughly, promptly, and objectively investigated.
DOC Policy 490.800 Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Prevention & Reporting
specifies that inmates, visitors, inmate family members/associates, and other community members can report:
- Allegations of sexual misconduct,
- Retaliation of inmates or staff for reporting sexual misconduct, and/or
- Staff actions or neglect that may have contributed to an incident of sexual misconduct.