WHAT IS PREA?

Effective August 20, 2012, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a rule adopting national standards to prevent, detect and respond to sexual abuse in confinement facilities, as required by the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA).

"Confinement facilities" include jails, police lockups and juvenile facilities and "rape" includes a broad range of unwanted sexual activity. PREA requires correctional and law enforcement authorities with responsibility for the operation of confinement facilities to commit to a zero-tolerance stance toward the sexual abuse of people in confinement and to comply with PREA in order to eliminate it.

Sexual abuse is an intolerable, critical event, as dangerous to the safety of the institution as an escape or homicide. The City of Kent Jail commits to zero tolerance of sexual abuse, through its words and written policy and through its actions, the setting of clear priorities and the achievement of objective, measurable outcomes.

All reports of sexual abuse or sexual harassment will be immediately and thoroughly investigated.

The City of Kent Corrections Facility is committed to providing a safe and secure environment which meets applicable laws against sexual abuse and sexual harassment by staff and by inmates. This policy will be strictly enforced.

Reporting sexual abuse or sexual harassment is an extremely serious matter. Any staff member or inmate who falsely reports sexual abuse or sexual harassment will face serious consequences.

2017 Kent Corrections Facility PREA Report

2018 Kent Corrections Facility PREA Report

2019 Kent Corrections Facility PREA Report

2020 Kent Corrections Facility PREA Report

2021 Kent Corrections Facility PREA Report

Sexual Abuse:

1) Sexual abuse of an inmate, detainee, or resident by another inmate, detainee, or resident includes any of the following acts, if the victim does not consent, is coerced into such act by overt or implied threats of violence or is unable to consent or refuse:

a) Contact between the penis and the vulva or the penis and the anus, including penetration, however slight;
b) Contact between the mouth and the penis, vulva or anus;

c) Penetration of the anal or genital opening of another person, however slight, by a hand, finger, object or other instrument; and

d) Any other intentional touching, either directly or through the clothing, of the genitalia, anus, groin, breast, inner thigh or the buttocks of another person, excluding contact incidental to a physical altercation.

e) Sexual abuse of an inmate, detainee, or resident by a staff member, contractor or volunteer.

2) Sexual abuse of an inmate, detainee or resident by a staff member, contractor or volunteer includes any of the following acts, with or without consent of the inmate, detainee or resident:

a) Contact between the penis and the vulva or the penis and the anus, including penetration, however slight;

b) Contact between the mouth and the penis, vulva or anus;

c) Contact between the mouth and any body part where the staff member, contractor or volunteer has the intent to abuse, arouse or gratify sexual desire;

d) Penetration of the anal or genital opening, however slight, by a hand, finger, object or other instrument, that is unrelated to official duties or where the staff member, contractor or volunteer has the intent to abuse, arouse or gratify sexual desire;

e) Any other intentional contact, either directly or through the clothing of or with the genitalia, anus, groin, breast, inner thigh or the buttocks, that is unrelated to official duties or where the staff member, contractor or volunteer has the intent to abuse, arouse or gratify sexual desire;

f) Any attempt, threat or request by a staff member, contractor or volunteer to engage in the activities described in paragraphs (a) through (e) of this definition;

g) Any display by a staff member, contractor or volunteer of his or her uncovered genitalia, buttocks or breast in the presence of an inmate, detainee or resident, and

h) Voyeurism by a staff member, contractor or volunteer.

Sexual Harassment:

1. Repeated and unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or verbal comments, gestures, or actions of a derogatory or offensive sexual nature by one inmate, detainee or resident directed toward another; and

2. Repeated verbal comments or gestures of a sexual nature to an inmate, detainee or resident by a staff member, contractor, or volunteer, including demeaning references to gender, sexually suggestive or derogatory comments about body or clothing or obscene language or gestures.

CKCF staff shall accept reports regarding an incident of sexual abuse or sexual harassment made verbally, in writing, anonymously and from third parties and shall promptly document any verbal reports.

Apart from reporting to designated supervisors or officials, staff shall not reveal any information related to a sexual abuse report to anyone other than to the extent necessary, as specified in CKCF policy, to make treatment, investigation and other security and management decisions.

CKCF shall protect all inmates and staff who report sexual abuse or sexual harassment or cooperate with sexual abuse or sexual harassment investigations from retaliation by other inmates or staff, including monitoring the conduct and treatment of inmates or staff who reported the sexual abuse and of inmates who were reported to have suffered sexual abuse for apparent retaliation by inmates or staff and acting promptly to remedy any such retaliation.

If the allegation of sexual abuse or sexual harassment involves a staff member, CKCF shall ensure that the alleged perpetrator(s) and victim are separated through appropriate placement, segregation, transfer or administrative leave.

Rape and Sexual Assault Awareness

The City of Kent Corrections Facility is committed to providing a safe and secure environment. Cases of rape and sexual assault will be referred to the King County Prosecuting Attorney for consideration of criminal charges.

Rape is a felony and is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for up to a life sentence. In addition, if you commit a rape or sexual assault your classification level will be increased, resulting in loss of privileges.

If you file a report of rape or sexual assault which is determined to be false, the King County Prosecuting Attorney?s Office will be notified for possible filing of criminal charges.

What to do if you are raped or otherwise sexually assaulted

Report the rape or sexual assault immediately to corrections staff, Jail Health staff or someone on the outside who can report it to the Police Department. Do not shower, brush your teeth, drink or eat anything, use the restroom or change your clothing.

Request immediate medical attention. Any sexual contact can expose you to sexually-transmitted diseases.

Did You Know? A survivor is not at fault for a rape, even if he/she was in a secluded area at the time or had a prior consensual sexual encounter with the attacker. Sexual assault has nothing to do with your sexual orientation. It is about control. Victims may be either heterosexual or homosexual.

It is common for survivors of sexual assault to have feelings of embarrassment, anger, guilt, panic, depression and fear several months or years after the attack. Other common reactions include loss of appetite, nausea or stomachaches, headaches, loss of memory and/or trouble concentrating and changes in sleep patterns.

Ways to report sexual assault:

1. Tell a facility staff member
2. Tell a family member or friend who can contact the police for you
3. Tell your attorney
4. File a PREA report online
5. Contact one of the following resource service providers:

Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Resources