PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003)
PREA - Prison Rape Elimination Act
The Prison Rape Elimination Act is a federal law implemented in 2003 to address the prevention and elimination of sexual abuse in correctional institutions.
The Volusia County Division of Corrections has a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment of any inmate and is committed to upholding the Eighth Amendment Rights of all inmates. Sexual acts of any kind between staff (including contractors and volunteers) and inmate or detainees amounts to sexual abuse, is against the law and is strictly prohibited.
The Volusia County Division of Corrections (VCDC) has created several channels through which reports of sexual misconduct can be made. These channels are easily accessible to inmates and personnel, as well as the general public. In the event a sexual misconduct allegation rises, the VCDC Internal Affairs Unit will thoroughly investigate for administrative sanctions. Sexual abuse allegations will be investigated externally by the Volusia Sheriff Office for criminal sanctions.
If you have information regarding abuse or believe that an inmate currently in custody has been subjected to abuse, please call the PREA Reporting Line at 386-254-1541. You may also contact the Volusia Sheriff’s Office at 386-248-1777, contact the Volusia Rape Crisis Center’s Hotline at 1-800-503-7621, or you may submit a complaint form in person at the jail.
All allegations of sexual abuse, sexual threats and retaliation concerning an incident of sexual abuse at the VCDC will be thoroughly investigated and shall be subject to administrative and/or criminal prosecution.
If you have any questions or would like additional information regarding our zero-tolerance policy, please contact our PREA Coordinator, G. Powell via email at gpowell@volusia.org.
You can learn more about PREA at the web sites for the National Institute of Corrections and the PREA Resource Center.
