Prison Rape Elimination Act

The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) was enacted by the 108th Congress to establish a zero-tolerance standard for the incidence of prison rape in prisons in the United States. PREA establishes national standards for the detection, prevention, reduction and punishment of sexual assault in correctional settings and applies to all federal, state and local prisons, jails, police lock-ups, private facilities and community settings such as residential facilities.

The Anne Arundel County Department of Detention Facilities (AACDDF) has a zero-tolerance policy toward all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment of incarcerated individuals by other incarcerated individuals, employees, contractors or volunteers. The AACDDF shall immediately respond to and fully investigate all allegations of sexual abuse and sexual harassment with pursue disciplinary action with referral for prosecution to those who perpetrate in such acts.

AACDDF employees, contractors and volunteers are trained to recognize the signs of sexual abuse and sexual harassment and their responsibility to prevent, detect and report all sexual abuse and sexual harassment incidents. Further AACDDF employees, contractors and volunteers are trained in the appropriate steps to take if an incarcerated individuals reports an incident of sexual abuse or sexual harassment.

Incarcerated individuals who are victims of, or have knowledge of sexual abuse or sexual harassment may report the incident:

• by submitting a PREA report using the inmate kiosk; 
• to any employee, contractor or volunteer verbally or in writing;
• by submitting a Health Service Request using the inmate kiosk;
• by submitting a formal grievance;
• by contacting the community service provider using the information contained in the Inmate Orientation Booklet.

The AACDDF shall engage the Anne Arundel County Police Department when the investigating supervisor determines a formal police investigation is warranted for evidence collection and to investigate all substantiated allegations of sexual abuse involving staff or inmates at the AACDDF. Access to treatment services shall be provided to the victim(s) without financial cost regardless of whether the victim(s) names the abuser or cooperates with the investigation.

The general public can report allegations of sexual abuse and sexual harassment to any AACDDF staff member, contractor or volunteer or may contact a security supervisor directly by dialing:

• (410) 222-7094 (Jennifer Road Detention Center) or 
• (410) 222-4970 (Ordnance Road Correctional Center)

For additional information or questions, please contact the AACDDF’s PREA Coordinator, Mindy Ellison by dialing (410) 222-6377.