P.R.E.A.
Prison Rape Eliminations Act of 2003 (PREA)
PREA is a federal law established in 2003 to address the elimination and prevention of sexual assaults in correctional systems. PREA prohibits sexual misconduct in correctional settings such as prisons, jails, lockups, juvenile facilities, and Immigration Services. Sexual misconduct under this law includes:
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Offender–on–offender sexual assault and abuse
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Staff–on–offender sexual misconduct (sexual or inappropriate relationships with offenders)
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Offender–on–offender and staff–on–offender sexual harassment
The Pacific County Jail is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for staff and offenders. The Jail has zero tolerance for sexual misconduct of any kind and will impose discipline for such misconduct, up to and including dismissal for staff and serious infractions for offenders who victimize other offenders. Incidents of sexual misconduct will also be referred to law enforcement when applicable. The Jails policies regarding sexual misconduct applies to all offenders, both incarcerated and on community supervision, also applies to employees, contractors, and volunteers.
The Pacific County Jail is committed to your safety and the safety of staff. You have the right to serve your sentence with dignity and free from sexual assault, sexual harassment and retaliation. The Jail has a zero tolerance regarding sexual assaults within its facility. This means we do not tolerate any level of sexual harassment, misconduct, or assaults in this facility. Every effort will be made to prevent sexual assaults and misconduct from occurring. Every allegation will be investigated, every perpetrator punished, and every victim offered services.
What is a sexual assault?
Anytime another inmate sexually touches the sexual parts of your body, forces you to touch the sexual parts of their body, has sex with you without your ok, or forces you to have sex with someone else without your ok, it’s against the law. In the Jail there is no such thing as consensual sex.
Anytime a staff member makes sexual advances or comments, sexually touches you, or has sex with you, it’s against the law. Even if you wanted to or invited it, the staff member is not allowed to respond. This does not include routine pat down searches.
How Do I Report Sexual Misconduct?
The Pacific County Sheriff’s Office investigates all allegations regarding an inmate who has been a victim of sexual misconduct while incarcerated at the Pacific County Jail. You may report to any staff member including counselors, minister, nurse, etc. If you do not feel comfortable, a friend or family member may report for you. You may call Crisis Support Network to report sexual misconduct by calling 1 (800) 435-7276 or 875-6702 to speak to an advocate. http://crisis-support.org/
The Pacific County Jail has partnered with local organizations to form a Sexual Assault Response Team. Members include The Crisis Support Network, Prosecuting Attorney’s office, Willapa Behavioral Health, Valley View Health Clinic and Willapa Harbor Hospital. The Sexual Assault Response Team is available to victims of sexual assaults while incarcerated. Medical and mental health services are available to victims at no charge.