PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT…PREA – Phelps County Corrections

What is PREA?

The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) of 2003 is a federal law established to address the elimination and prevention of sexual assault and rape in correctional systems. PREA applies to all federal, state, and local prisons, jails, police lockups, private facilities, and community settings such as residential facilities.

How does PREA Apply to Jails?

PREA seeks to insure that jails and other correctional settings protect inmates from sexual assaults, sexual harassment, “consensual sex” with employees, and inmate-inmate sexual assault. These violations affect security and staff safety, and pose long-term risks to inmate and staff inside jails, and to the public when victimized inmates are released into the community.

Phelps County Corrections Zero-tolerance for Sexual Abuse

Phelps County Corrections maintains a zero-tolerance for all forms of sexual abuse or assault. It is the policy of Phelps County Corrections to provide a safe and secure environment for all inmates, employees, contractors, and volunteers, free from the threat of sexual abuse or assault, by maintaining a Sexual Abuse and Assault Prevention and Intervention Program that ensures effective procedures for preventing, reporting, responding to, investigating, and tracking incidents or allegations of sexual abuse or assault.

Reporting a Sexual Assault

If you were the victim of a sexual assault while in the custody of Phelps County Corrections, any law enforcement agency, or know of an incident of sexual assault or abuse of a person in custody; you may report it to Phelps County Corrections by speaking with the PREA Coordinator Lt. Penny Gregg 308-995-3129, 308-248-5042 or by email at penny@phelpscountyso.com
If requested, your anonymity will be protected. Please include the following in your email:

Incident
Name of the victim
Name(s) of the suspect(s)
Time(s) and date(s) of sexual abuse
Personal contact information (optional)

Depending on the circumstances either Phelps County Sheriff’s Office or Nebraska State Patrol will investigate allegations of sexual abuse and harassment
Or, you may also contact the nearest law enforcement agency and make a report.