Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA)

The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) is a federal law that prohibits and seeks to eliminate sexual assaults and sexual misconduct in correctional institutions and community corrections settings. The Jefferson County Jail is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for staff and offenders, some provisions include:
  • The Jefferson County Jail has zero tolerance for sexual assault or abuse of any person or sexual relationships between staff and offenders.
  • Offenders who have consensual sexual contact with another offender will be disciplined.
  • Offenders who have non–consensual sexual contact with another offender will be disciplined and referred to law enforcement.
  • Employees, contract staff, volunteers and vendors who engage in sexual contact or sexual misconduct with offenders will be terminated and referred for criminal prosecution when applicable.

How to Report Institutional Sexual Assault and/or Staff Sexual Misconduct

If you have information regarding an offender who has been sexually assaulted while under local custody or community supervision, phone calls are in Department of Correction (DOC) headquarters are recorded. Messages are checked Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. by administration. Contact the Jefferson County Jail PREA hotline at 360-344-9770 or write to:
PREA / Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
79 Elkins Road
Port Hadlock, WA 98339

You don’t have to give your name but it is critical that you provide as many details as possible. This includes:
  • A brief description of the incident(s)
  • A brief description of where the event(s) occurred
  • Names and contact information of others who might have additional information about the incident
  • The date(s), time and place of occurrence(s)
  • The name(s) and locations of persons involved
  • The name(s) or description of any witnesses to the incident
  • Your contact phone number and address (optional)
The Jefferson County Jail investigates all allegations of offender–on–offender sexual assaults and staff sexual misconduct.

Reporting Information for DOC Inmates Housed in the Jefferson County Jail

Offenders serving their sentence within a DOC facility are urged to report allegations of rape, sexual contact or staff sexual misconduct to the toll free number at 0-800-586-9431 from a prison facility. Offenders can also report by submitting a kite, a grievance, telling a trusted staff member, asking a family member or friend to call the hotline or by sending a written report to the PREA unit in DOC Headquarters via legal mail.

If you have questions or would like additional information about PREA, please contact:
PREA
P.O. Box 41108
Olympia, WA 98504-1108
Phone: 360-725-8858