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CG 01 Sexual Abuse Prevention and Intervention

Version 1.1 by Ryan Larkin on 2016/09/27 16:43

Washington County Sheriff's Office

CORRECTIONS DIVISION

Policy Manual

Volume: CG

Inmate Management

Chapter: 01

Sexual Abuse Prevention and Intervention

Replaces and/or Supersedes:

CG 01 08/11/2012

Published:

08/11/2011

Date Reviewed:

10/26/2015

Sheriff Cory C. Pulsipher

Chief Deputy Jake Schultz

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CG 01_101  Definitions

CG 01_102  References

CG 01_103  General

CG 01_101 DEFINITIONS

  1. WCSO:  Washington County Sheriff's Office
  2. PCF:  Purgatory Correctional Facility

CG 01_102  REFERENCES

  1. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Standards:
    1. 14.

CG 01_103  GENERAL

  1. Policy:
    1. PCF shall have a sexual abuse prevention and intervention program to affirmatively act to prevent sexual abuse on inmates. Inmates shall be informed about this program.
    2. All staff and inmates are responsible for being alert to signs of potential situations in which sexual abuse might occur, and for making reports and intervention referrals.
    3. Inmates shall be screened via PCF's Classification system to identify those likely to be sexual aggressors or sexual victims and will be housed to minimize the risk of sexual abuse. Inmates who are considered likely to become victims should be placed in the least restrictive housing that is available and appropriate. Refer to policy: Inmate Classification.
    4. Allegations of sexual abuse shall be promptly and effectively reported and investigated. Designated staff shall provide services to victims and shall conduct investigations of sexual abuse incidents. Information concerning the identity of an inmate victim reporting sexual abuse, and the facts of the report itself, shall be limited to those who have a need to know in order to make decisions concerning the victim’s welfare and for law enforcement or investigative purposes. The timely reporting of all incidents and allegations is of paramount importance.
    5. Inmates shall not be punished for truthfully reporting abuse or signs of abuse observed. Staff sensitivity toward inmates who are victims of sexual abuse is critical. Staff shall take seriously all statements from inmates claiming to be victims of sexual abuse and respond supportively and non-judgmentally. Any inmate who alleges that he/she has been sexually abused shall be offered immediate protection from the assailant and referred to the Medical Branch for a clinical assessment of the potential for negative symptoms. Staff becoming aware of an alleged abuse shall immediately follow the reporting requirements set forth in the written policies and procedures (policy: CD 03 Jail Incident Report).
    6. If sexual abuse of any inmate occurs, the medical, psychological, safety, and social needs of the victim will be promptly and effectively met.
    7. A victim of sexual abuse will be referred under appropriate security provisions to the Medical Branch (or other specialized facility, as determined by the Medical Branch) for treatment and gathering of evidence. If these procedures are performed in-house, the following guidelines apply:
      1. Health care professionals shall conduct an examination to document the extent of physical injury and to determine if referral to another medical facility is indicated. With the victim’s consent, the examination should include collection of evidence from the victim using a kit approved by the appropriate authority. All forensic evidence collected must be secured and processed according to an established plan to maintain the chain of custody for criminal evidence.
      2. Health care professionals shall test for sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., HIV, gonorrhea, hepatitis, and other diseases) and refer victim for counseling, as appropriate.
      3. Prophylactic treatment and follow-up examination for sexually transmitted diseases shall be offered to all victims, as appropriate.
      4. Following a physical examination, a mental health professional shall evaluate the need for crisis intervention counseling and long-term follow-up.
    8. Assailants will be confined and disciplined and may be subject to criminal prosecution. Refer to policy: CG 10 Punitive Discipline.
    9. Sexual conduct between inmates, or between inmates and staff, volunteers, or contract personnel, regardless of consensual status, is prohibited and subject to administrative, disciplinary, and criminal sanctions. Refer to policies: CG 10 Punitive Discipline, AB 05 Standards of Conduct, and CH 18 Public Volunteers and Contract Staff.
    10. All case records associated with claims of sexual abuse, including incident reports, investigative reports, offender information, case disposition, medical and counseling evaluation findings, and recommendations for post-release treatment and/or counseling will be retained in accordance with an established schedule.
    11. For monitoring, evaluating, and assessing the effectiveness of the sexual abuse prevention and intervention program, incidents of sexual abuse will be specifically documented and tracked. Refer to policy: CD 03 Jail Incident Report.
    12. The applicable content in this policy will be communicated to inmates in a language or manner which the inmates can understand.
    13. Training on the facility’s sexual abuse prevention and intervention program shall be included in training for employees, volunteers, and contract personnel and shall also be included in annual refresher training thereafter. Training shall include:
      1. Definitions and examples of prohibited and illegal behavior;
      2. Agency prohibitions on retaliation against inmates and staff who report sexual abuse;
      3. An understanding that sexual abuse is never an acceptable consequence of detention;
      4. Recognition of situations where sexual abuse may occur;
      5. Recognition of the physical, behavioral, and emotional signs of sexual abuse and ways to prevent such occurrences;
      6. The investigation process and how to ensure that evidence is not destroyed;
      7. Prevention, recognition, and appropriate response to allegations or suspicions of sexual assault involving inmates with mental or physical disabilities;
      8. Understanding of how to report knowledge or suspicion of sexual abuse or assault and make intervention referrals (policy: CD 03 Jail Incident Report);
      9. Understanding of documentation and referral procedures of all allegations or suspicion of sexual abuse.
  2. Rationale:
    1. The Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA) sets a zero tolerance standard regarding rape and sexual assault in “any confinement facility of a Federal, state, or local government, whether administered by such government or by a private organization.
    2. Forceful and pressured sexual interactions are among the most serious threats to inmate safety, facility security, and good order. Victims suffer physical and psychological harm and could be infected with a life-threatening disease.