What is PREA?
Congress enacted the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) in 2003 to establish a zero tolerance of sexual abuse in any federal, state or local confinement facility. National standards regarding detection, prevention and response to sexual abuse, as well as gathering data were finalized and went into effect in August 2013.
The Pennington County Jail is committed to ensuring a safe and humane environment for all inmates and has zero tolerance for all forms of sexual abuse, sexual harassment and/or sexual misconduct within its facility.
Sexual contact between inmates and/or staff is not permitted at the Pennington County Jail. According to South Dakota Codified Law 22-22-7.6: sexual acts between any person employed at a jail and detainees is a felony which is punishable by two years in a state penitentiary and a $2,000.00 fine. Inmates engaging in consensual sexual contact are in violation of facility rules and will face disciplinary action.
Inmates receive education about their rights under PREA upon intake and throughout their stay VIA an orientation video that plays daily and an inmate handbook that is issued to each inmate.
How to Report a PREA Related Incident
The facility provides multiple ways for reporting allegations of sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and/or sexual misconduct and all allegations are thoroughly investigated. If deemed criminal, law enforcement is immediately notified. There are no time constraints on making a report.
Methods of reporting include but not are limited to:
- To call the PREA Coordinator, dial 605-394-6116 and follow the prompts. Calls are monitored Monday - Friday during business hours.
- To email the PREA Coordinator, click HERE. Emails are reviewed Monday - Friday during business hours.
- To make an emergent report, call 911.
- For non-emergent reporting to Law Enforcement, call dispatch at 605-394-2151.
PREA Investigation Disposition Types
Substantiated Allegation means that an allegation was investigated and determined to have occurred.
Unsubstantiated Allegation means that an allegation was investigated and the investigation produced insufficient evidence to make a final determination as to whether or not the event occurred.
Unfounded Allegation means that an allegation was investigated and determined not to have occurred.
PREA Data Collection
The Pennington County Jail began implementing and complying with the PREA standards regarding data collection in 2016. The data provided in the attachment below is from July through December 2016. Going forward, data will continue to be kept and analyzed per PREA standards, identifying problem areas and taking corrective action on an on-going basis.