PREA

West Central Regional Juvenile Center (WCRJC) - Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)

The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) was signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2003. PREA prohibits and seeks to eliminate sexual assaults and sexual misconduct in correctional institutions and community corrections settings.

WCRJC Zero Tolerance Policy

The WCRJC maintains a zero - tolerance policy on sexual abuse and harassment to promote a safe and nurturing environment. Any form of sexual harassment or sexual abuse between residents, staff, contractors and volunteers is prohibited, weather or not it is consensual.

All WCRJC staff, contractors, volunteers and residents will receive PREA training. This will resulting in a clear understanding that the facility strictly prohibits any type of sexual relationship with residents or between residents. Any behaviors that are criminal will be referred to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office for criminal investigations. In addition, all residents will be educated on how to identify inappropriate advances from others and how to report these situations. All staff, contractors and volunteers must immediately report any knowledge, suspicion or information regarding an incident of sexual abuse / harassment / staff sexual misconduct that occurred in the facility; this includes medical and mental health practitioners, unless otherwise precluded by law. If the WCRJC learns that a resident is subject to a substantial risk of imminent sexual abuse, it will take immediate action to protect the resident. The WCRJC facility supervisory staff and outside law enforcement investigates all matters of sexual abuse / harassment / staff sexual misconduct as directed by the incident.

When sexual abuse is alleged, the WCRJC will contact local Law Enforcement/Social Services to conduct an investigation. Investigators will gather and preserve direct and circumstantial evidence, including any available physical and DNA evidence and any available electronic monitoring date; will interview alleged victims, suspected perpetrators, and witnesses; and will review prior complaints and reports of sexual abuse involving the suspected perpetrator. When outside agencies investigate sexual abuse, the facility will cooperate with outside investigators and will endeavor to remain informed about the progress of the investigation. The WCRJC will do an administrative investigation to determine if staff actions or failures to act contributed to the abuse. Any State entity (Law Enforcement/ Social Services) component that conducts sexual abuse investigations will do so pursuant to the above requirements. When the WCRJC conducts its own investigations into allegations of sexual harassment, it will do so promptly, thoroughly, and objectively for all allegations, including third-party and anonymous reports. The WCRJC will not terminate an investigation solely because the source of the allegation recants the allegation. The WCRJC will retain all written reports regarding the abuse as long as the alleged abuser is incarcerated or employed plus five years. The agency will impose the standard of preponderance of the evidence in determining whether allegations of sexual harassment or sexual abuse are substantiated.

Third Party Reporting

A person who becomes aware of, suspects, or otherwise has knowledge of any sexual misconduct at the West Central Regional Juvenile Center or at any other juvenile secured facility must immediately report the information in any of the following ways:

Tell a West Central Regional Juvenile Center staff member
Call the Prison Rape Elimination Act Hotline at 651-438-8380
Call Rape and Abuse Crisis Center at 701-293-7273
Call and report it to law enforcement at 701-451-7660
Contact facility PREA Coordinator at 218-299-7565 or email thomas.kyllo@claycountymn.gov