Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)
In compliance with Section 115.222 of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Standards, Keeton Corrections Inc. (KCI) has a zero tolerance toward all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment. KCI has created a policy to ensure referrals of allegations are processed according to BOP policy for investigations. All allegations of sexual abuse and sexual harassment that involve potential criminal behavior are referred to local law enforcement who conducts all criminal investigations. The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) conducts all administrative investigation. Throughout each incident, KCI will cooperate with outside investigators remaining focused and informed as to progress on all current investigations.
KCI PREA Policy --
Keeton Corrections Inc.
Non-Secure Programs
PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT (PREA)
SEXUAL MISCONDUCT, ABUSE, AND/OR ASSAULT PROCEDURES
Purpose:
KCI/NPI has zero tolerance towards sexual assault, sexual misconduct, staff sexual misconduct and sexual harassment. KCI/NPI is committed to providing an environment that is free from all forms of discrimination and conduct that can be considered harassing, coercive, or disruptive, including sexual harassment. Actions, words, jokes, or comments based on an individual’s sex, race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristics will not be tolerated. KCI/NPI provides ongoing sexual harassment training to ensure the opportunity is given to all to be in an environment free of sexual and other unlawful misconduct/abuse/assault.
Definitions:
Resident-on-Resident Sexual Abuse/Assault – One or more residents engaging in or attempting to engage in a sexual act with another resident or the use of threats, intimidating, inappropriate touching, or other actions and/or communications by one or more residents aimed at coercing and/or pressuring another resident to engage in a sexual act.
Staff-on-Resident Sexual Abuse/Assault – Engaging in, or attempting to engage in a sexual act with any resident or the intentional touching of a resident’s genitalia, anus, breast, inner thigh, or buttocks with the intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, degrade, arouse, or gratify the sexual desire of any person.
Staff Sexual Misconduct – Sexual behavior between an employee and resident which can include, but not limited to indecent exposure, profane or abusive language, gestures and inappropriate visual surveillance of residents.
Policy:
KCI/NPI has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual assault, sexual misconduct, staff sexual misconduct, and sexual harassment. Everyone has a right to be safe from sexual misconduct, abuse, and/or assault. No one has the right to pressure anyone to engage in sexual acts, and no one has to tolerate sexual assault or pressure to engage in unwanted sexual behavior regardless of age, size, race, or ethnicity. Whether one is straight, gay, lesbian, or bisexual, they have the right to be safe from unwanted advances and acts. Sexual misconduct, abuse, and/or assault are prohibited. It is never appropriate for an employee to make sexual advances, comments, or to engage in sexual contact with a resident. Even if a resident wants to be involved with an employee, the employee is not allowed to respond. It is not appropriate for a resident to approach an employee sexually and disciplinary action for the resident should be initiated.
KCI/NPI will not tolerate retaliation against any employee and/or resident who complains of misconduct, abuse, and/or assault, or who provides information in connection with any such complaints.
Procedures:
All allegations of sexual misconduct, abuse, and/or assault will be quickly and discreetly investigated. To the extent possible, confidentiality of the victim, any witnesses, and the alleged aggressor will be protected against unnecessary disclosure. When the investigation is completed, both the accused and the accuser will be informed of the outcome of the investigation.
Monitoring Retaliation
Retaliation by or against any party involved in a complaint shall be strictly prohibited. Retaliation in and of itself, shall be grounds for disciplinary action. The Social Service Coordinator at the facility shall be charged with monitoring retaliation. Monitoring shall occur for at least 90 days following an incident of sexual abuse and in cases when monitoring offenders, periodic status checks shall be conducted by the Social Service Coordinator. Emotional support services shall be provided as well as appropriate measures taken to protect any individual who expresses a fear of retaliation.
Staff Responsibility:
Any employee who becomes aware of possible sexual misconduct, abuse, and/or assault must immediately advise the Director or any member of management, so it can be investigated in a timely and confidential manner.
Any employee engaging in sexual or other unlawful misconduct will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. Employees who engage in abuse and/or assault of residents will be investigated by the contracting authority and if found guilty will be subject to a full range of criminal and administrative sanctions.
Any sexual act between residents and staff (even when no objection is raised) is always illegal. All staff should be aware that relationships with residents are by law not consensual. Any KCI/NPI employee who develops a relationship with a resident will be terminated from employment and can be prosecuted for rape by the contracting authority. Any staff member who is aware of or becomes aware of a relationship between staff and residents, and does not report this to the Director, is considered an accessory, will be terminated, and may be prosecuted for such.
Procedures to be followed in the event of Employee-on-Employee harassment are contained in the KCI/NPI Personnel Manual, Policy 506.
Third Party Reporting
To report any incident of sexual abuse or sexual harassment involving an offender housed within either a Department of Corrections or Federal Bureau of Prisons facility you may call a Hotline or crisis center located nearest to the KCI facility in question. Current contact numbers:
1-800-656-HOPE (4673) – Jacksonville, Florida
1-352-351-4009 – Ocala, Florida
1-850-443-7273 – Pensacola, Florida
1-850-681-2111 – Tallahassee, Florida 1-888-956-7273
1-205-323-7273 – Birmingham, Alabama
1-251-473-7273 – Mobile, Alabama
1-855-700-PREA (7732) – Paducah, Kentucky
*Please have all information or evidence available for the investigator who will be assigned to handle the case. False accusations may be prosecuted. All reports are taken seriously and investigated per PREA outline.
In compliance with section 115.289 of the PREA Standards, KCI shall make all aggregated data sexual abuse data readily available for public review on an annual basis. In compliance with section 115.288 of the PRA Standards KCI shall review data collected and aggregated for assessment and program effectiveness improvement regarding sexual abuse prevention, detection, training and response identifying key areas including;
KCI PREA Policy --
Keeton Corrections Inc.
Non-Secure Programs
PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT (PREA)
SEXUAL MISCONDUCT, ABUSE, AND/OR ASSAULT PROCEDURES
Purpose:
KCI/NPI has zero tolerance towards sexual assault, sexual misconduct, staff sexual misconduct and sexual harassment. KCI/NPI is committed to providing an environment that is free from all forms of discrimination and conduct that can be considered harassing, coercive, or disruptive, including sexual harassment. Actions, words, jokes, or comments based on an individual’s sex, race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristics will not be tolerated. KCI/NPI provides ongoing sexual harassment training to ensure the opportunity is given to all to be in an environment free of sexual and other unlawful misconduct/abuse/assault.
Definitions:
Resident-on-Resident Sexual Abuse/Assault – One or more residents engaging in or attempting to engage in a sexual act with another resident or the use of threats, intimidating, inappropriate touching, or other actions and/or communications by one or more residents aimed at coercing and/or pressuring another resident to engage in a sexual act.
Staff-on-Resident Sexual Abuse/Assault – Engaging in, or attempting to engage in a sexual act with any resident or the intentional touching of a resident’s genitalia, anus, breast, inner thigh, or buttocks with the intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, degrade, arouse, or gratify the sexual desire of any person.
Staff Sexual Misconduct – Sexual behavior between an employee and resident which can include, but not limited to indecent exposure, profane or abusive language, gestures and inappropriate visual surveillance of residents.
- Examples of non-verbal sexual abuse: staring, leering, and exposing people to offensive magazines drawings, graffiti, or cartoons of a sexual nature.
- Examples of verbal sexual abuse include: whistling or cat calls, making sexual comments, asking for a date, making suggestive remarks, sounds, or comments.
- Examples of physical sexual abuse include: touching, pinching, making gestures of a sexual nature, inappropriate touching, brushing up against, assault, and rape.
Policy:
KCI/NPI has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual assault, sexual misconduct, staff sexual misconduct, and sexual harassment. Everyone has a right to be safe from sexual misconduct, abuse, and/or assault. No one has the right to pressure anyone to engage in sexual acts, and no one has to tolerate sexual assault or pressure to engage in unwanted sexual behavior regardless of age, size, race, or ethnicity. Whether one is straight, gay, lesbian, or bisexual, they have the right to be safe from unwanted advances and acts. Sexual misconduct, abuse, and/or assault are prohibited. It is never appropriate for an employee to make sexual advances, comments, or to engage in sexual contact with a resident. Even if a resident wants to be involved with an employee, the employee is not allowed to respond. It is not appropriate for a resident to approach an employee sexually and disciplinary action for the resident should be initiated.
KCI/NPI will not tolerate retaliation against any employee and/or resident who complains of misconduct, abuse, and/or assault, or who provides information in connection with any such complaints.
Procedures:
- If a resident feels that he/she is or has been a victim of misconduct, abuse, and/or assault, the incident should be reported to the Director immediately. Residents may request that staff call or pages the Director so that he/she may speak with the resident personally. All allegations must be taken seriously.
- If the Director cannot be reached, report the incident immediately to a supervisor at the facility. Staff will separate the victim and the aggressor from each other and the general population.
- If a resident alleges sexual abuse and/or assault, the resident is to be immediately isolated and given a piece of paper to record his/her complaint.
- In the event an investigation is ongoing, the person alleged to have performed the misconduct, abuse, and/or assault will not be allowed any contact with the employee and/or resident. Allegations involving staff must be referred to Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) or Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC) to coordinate the response. Inmate-on-Inmate allegations must be referred to BOP or FDOC and administratively reviewed as well as criminally investigated locally if indicated.
- Staff shall establish where the incident occurred and immediately secure the area for forensic investigation.
- In the event that a resident is sexually assaulted, they are to seek medical attention immediately. Although it may be difficult, it is important that the victim not shower after the assault. Showering may wash off the hair and body fluids which are critical evidence. In addition, the resident should bring the clothes and underwear that they had on at the time of the assault to the medical exam.
- Any allegations of misconduct, abuse, and/or assault must be immediately reported to the Corporate Office, BOP, and FDOC, by the Director. Sexual assault will be immediately reported to local law enforcement by center staff.
- Any allegations made about sexual abuse or assault concerning another facility must be reported to the BOP and FDOC liaison immediately.
- Any victim will be transported immediately following the initial investigation by law enforcement and medical exam to the local Rape Crisis Center. Crisis counseling, coping skills, suicide prevention and mental health counseling are available. Victims will be given access to free medical and mental health counseling addressing the assault.
- The Director will provide an incident report in response to any alleged sexual activity involving offenders. Reports shall be comprehensive, thorough, and contain specific details to permit an informed review of the incident. Reporting should occur immediately when staff become aware. Updated reports shall be submitted if new details develop and following the completion of administrative review and criminal investigations. The incident report will be sent to both KCI’s/NPI’s Agency PREA Coordinator, Terracina Davis, and the designated liaison that has custody of the offender involved.
- The Director will track and report all allegations of PREA incidents during the life of the contract. The data will be kept on a flow chart and sent to both KCI’s/NPI’s Agency PREA Coordinator, Terracina Davis, and the designated liaison that has custody of the offender(s) involved.
All allegations of sexual misconduct, abuse, and/or assault will be quickly and discreetly investigated. To the extent possible, confidentiality of the victim, any witnesses, and the alleged aggressor will be protected against unnecessary disclosure. When the investigation is completed, both the accused and the accuser will be informed of the outcome of the investigation.
Monitoring Retaliation
Retaliation by or against any party involved in a complaint shall be strictly prohibited. Retaliation in and of itself, shall be grounds for disciplinary action. The Social Service Coordinator at the facility shall be charged with monitoring retaliation. Monitoring shall occur for at least 90 days following an incident of sexual abuse and in cases when monitoring offenders, periodic status checks shall be conducted by the Social Service Coordinator. Emotional support services shall be provided as well as appropriate measures taken to protect any individual who expresses a fear of retaliation.
Staff Responsibility:
Any employee who becomes aware of possible sexual misconduct, abuse, and/or assault must immediately advise the Director or any member of management, so it can be investigated in a timely and confidential manner.
Any employee engaging in sexual or other unlawful misconduct will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. Employees who engage in abuse and/or assault of residents will be investigated by the contracting authority and if found guilty will be subject to a full range of criminal and administrative sanctions.
Any sexual act between residents and staff (even when no objection is raised) is always illegal. All staff should be aware that relationships with residents are by law not consensual. Any KCI/NPI employee who develops a relationship with a resident will be terminated from employment and can be prosecuted for rape by the contracting authority. Any staff member who is aware of or becomes aware of a relationship between staff and residents, and does not report this to the Director, is considered an accessory, will be terminated, and may be prosecuted for such.
Procedures to be followed in the event of Employee-on-Employee harassment are contained in the KCI/NPI Personnel Manual, Policy 506.
Third Party Reporting
To report any incident of sexual abuse or sexual harassment involving an offender housed within either a Department of Corrections or Federal Bureau of Prisons facility you may call a Hotline or crisis center located nearest to the KCI facility in question. Current contact numbers:
1-800-656-HOPE (4673) – Jacksonville, Florida
1-352-351-4009 – Ocala, Florida
1-850-443-7273 – Pensacola, Florida
1-850-681-2111 – Tallahassee, Florida 1-888-956-7273
1-205-323-7273 – Birmingham, Alabama
1-251-473-7273 – Mobile, Alabama
1-855-700-PREA (7732) – Paducah, Kentucky
*Please have all information or evidence available for the investigator who will be assigned to handle the case. False accusations may be prosecuted. All reports are taken seriously and investigated per PREA outline.
In compliance with section 115.289 of the PREA Standards, KCI shall make all aggregated data sexual abuse data readily available for public review on an annual basis. In compliance with section 115.288 of the PRA Standards KCI shall review data collected and aggregated for assessment and program effectiveness improvement regarding sexual abuse prevention, detection, training and response identifying key areas including;
- Highlighting problem areas
- Taking corrective actions on an ongoing basis
- Preparing an annual report of findings and corrective actions.
"Data for the annual report shall be collected through July 31, 2018. A full report shall be created and posted no later that August 31, 2018."