Public Form
The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) at the Union County Sheriff’s Office, Division of Corrections
The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) was signed into Federal law in 2003 by President George W. Bush. It was created to address the problem of sexual misconduct in all confinement facilities. In 2012, the U.S. Department of Justice released national PREA standards to prevent, detect and respond to sexual abuse and sexual harassment in confinement facilities.
The Union County Sheriff’s Office – Division of Corrections (UCSO-DOC) is responsible for protecting the rights of inmates placed under the Division’s custody and supervision. The Division has established a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment and acts to prevent, detect and respond to all allegations and incidents of sexual misconduct.
All Union County Sheriff’s Office Division of Corrections employees, volunteers and contractors receive training on their duties and responsibilities under the Division’s zero-tolerance policy and are informed that they are required to immediately report any incident or allegation of sexual abuse and sexual harassment.
The UCSO-DOC investigates all allegations of offender–on–offender and staff–on–offender sexual misconduct. You can report sexual misconduct in multiple ways:
- Contact the UCSO-DOC PREA Coordinator at 908-659-2014
- Contact the UCSO-DOC Special Investigations Unit at 908-558-2243
- Contact the UCSO-DOC Director’s Office at 908-558-2613
Information for family and friends of those in custody of the UCDOC
The Union County Sheriff’s Office Division of Corrections takes every report of sexual misconduct seriously and all allegations will be referred for investigation. All staff, volunteers and contractors receive training in the awareness and reporting of sexual misconduct. All victims will be provided with medical and mental health care. Staff/inmate sexual misconduct is against the law in New Jersey.
THE UNION COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS RECOGNIZES THE RIGHT OF OFFENDERS TO BE FREE FROM SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
What is PREA?
The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) is federal law that went into effect in September of 2003 and 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:
- Offender-on-offender sexual assault and abuse
- Staff-on-offender sexual misconduct sexual/inappropriate relationships with offenders)
- Offender-on-offender and staff-on offender sexual harassment
The Union County Sheriff Office, Division of Corrections (UCSO-DOC) has zero tolerance for sexual misconduct of any kind and will impose discipline for such misconduct, up to and including termination and criminal prosecution for staff as well as discipline for offenders who victimize other offenders.
Incidents of sexual misconduct will also be referred to law enforcement when applicable. UCSO-DOC policies prohibiting sexual misconduct apply to all offenders, employees, contractors, and volunteers.
How would I know if my family member/ friend is being threatened/ victimized?
A victim may:
- Have trouble sleeping
- Suffer a loss of appetite
- Experience stomachaches and/or headaches
- Display anger or rage
- Seem unusually anxious
- Express concern about their safety
- Seem unusually detached or withdrawn
- Have episodes of crying or shaking
- Not care about their personal hygiene
What can I do to help?
There are many ways to help someone who has been a victim of sexual misconduct during confinement including:
- Don’t be judgmental
- Listen; be supportive and patient
- Encourage them to report the abuse
- Reporting abuse on their behalf
Having a family member or friend who has been the victim of sexual misconduct can be very upsetting. For this reason, it is also important to take care of yourself.
Can I report sexual abuse/misconduct for my family member/friend?
YES you can. If you have information regarding a UCSO-DOC offender who has been the victim of sexual misconduct while under UCSO-DOC custody, you may:
- Contact the UCSO-DOC PREA Coordinator at 908-659-2014
- Contact the UCSO-DOC Special Investigations Unit at 908-558-2243
- Contact the UCSO-DOC Director’s Office at 908-558-2613
The UCSO-DOC has a zero tolerance for all forms of retaliation against any person because of his/her involvement in the reporting or investigation of a PREA claim.