PREA Intent, Purpose & Background

PREA was established in 2003 to address the problem of sexual abuse and sexual harassment of persons in the custody of U.S. correctional agencies. Major provisions of PREA include the development of standards for detection, prevention, reduction and punishment of prison rape. The Act applies to all public and private institutions that house adult or juvenile offenders and is also relevant to community-based agencies. The Kittitas County Jail has adopted a zero tolerance policy on issues pertaining to sexual abuse and sexual harassment involving inmates and is working continuously to implement new policies, training requirements for staff, inmates, contractors and volunteers, and developing standards for detection, prevention, reduction and punishment of prison rape.

Kittitas County Corrections Center Policy #506 - Prison Rape Elimination Act

Reporting and Findings (beginning in 2019)

Beginning in 2019 the Kittitas County Jail changed it’s reporting details by creating a form that combines the necessary definitions and statistics for all PREA related incidents. The Kittitas County Jail continues to educate inmates, staff, and contractors/volunteers as policy and procedures are monitored and adjusted to ensure compliancy and accuracy.

Please click the below year to see the data collected from the corresponding year.

Reporting and Findings (pre 2019)

Below is a chart showing the amount of PREA investigations initiated and completed by our department. They are broken down by type of incident (Inmate v. Inmate or Staff v. Inmate) and the outcome of the investigation. The definitions for the investigation findings are:

• Unfounded: The allegation is false, not factual, or there is insufficient factual evidence either to prove or disprove the allegations.
• Sustained: The allegation is supported by sufficient factual evidence.
• Non-Sustained: There is insufficient factual evidence either to prove or disprove the allegations.

2018

*** There were also 0 investigations forwarded to the appropriate outside entities based on the allegations made by the inmates.

In 2018 the Kittitas County Corrections Center has continued to improve on how sexual violence and harassment is prevented, educated and addressed. Some of the areas of focus include:

• Training to staff, volunteers and contractors who have contact with inmates.
• Revisions to the investigatory process on all allegations made.

2017

2016

*** There were also 3 investigations forwarded to the appropriate outside entities based on allegations made by the inmates.

2015

*** There were also 4 investigations forwarded to the appropriate outside entities based on allegations made by the inmates.

2014