What is PREA?

The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) establishes a Zero-Tolerance standard towards all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment of incarcerated persons. It is Public Law 108-79, signed in September 2003 by President Bush.

PREA sets a standard that protects the Eight Amendment rights of Federal, State, and local prisons – making the prevention of sexual abuse and sexual harassment a top priority. It also increases available data on sexual abuse and sexual harassment, and it increases the accountability for administrators who fail to prevent, reduce and punish this type of behavior.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is committed to a Zero-Tolerance standard for sexual abuse and sexual harassment. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office Detention Bureau has developed uniformed guidelines and procedures to reduce the risk of in-custody sexual abuse and sexual harassment activity. Inmates who experience these types of behaviors are strongly encouraged to report this type of behavior. We also support the prosecution of persons who commit acts of sexual abuse and sexual harassment in our facilities.

You can learn more about PREA at the websites for the National Institute of Corrections and the National PREA Resource Center.

For more information or to report a possible PREA allegation, please contact the Jail Watch Commander at 352-351-8077 or the PREA Coordinator at mcarter@marionso.com.