Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)

The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) establishes a zero-tolerance standard against sexual assaults and rapes of incarcerated persons. It is Public Law 108-79, signed in September 2003 by President Bush.
 
 In Addition, PREA sets a standard that protects the Eighth Amendment rights of Federal and State prisons, jails, lock-ups and juvenile facilities—making the prevention of sexual assault a top priority. It also increases available data on sexual misconducts and sexual assault. Furthermore, it increases the accountability for administrators who fail to prevent, reduce, and punish sexual misconduct and sexual assaults.
 
 It is the policy of the Hoke County Detention Center (HCDC) to attempt to prevent sexual misconduct and sexual assaults of inmates, provide protection of treatment of those who have been sexually assaulted and discipline and/or prosecute those who have sexually assaulted inmates. The purpose of this policy is to have set practices that establish a zero- tolerance standard for sexual assaults on inmates. This policy shall apply to all HCDC assigned staff, contractors, volunteers, and visitors.
 
 The Hoke County Sheriff’s Office supports the prosecution of persons who commit acts of sexual misconduct to the fullest extent whether administratively or criminally.
 
 HCDC policy applies to all inmates who are identified as being possible victims of sexual abuse or harassment, have been victimized by sexual abuse, or have been identified as perpetrators of sexual abuse or harassment, as well as persons employed by the Hoke County Detention Center, volunteers, independent contractors and those who are involved directly or indirectly, in the care and custody of inmates.
 

PREA Reporting

Inmates are encouraged to report all allegations of sexual abuse and/or sexual misconduct immediately. This will allow for the quickest response and investigation. Also, the claim or allegation does not have to come from an inmate; it may come from the members of the public such as a friend, family member or loved one.
 
 NCGS § 14-225 False reports to law enforcement agencies or officers. Any person who shall willfully make or cause to be made to a law enforcement agency or officer any false, misleading or unfounded report, for the purpose of interfering with the operation of a law enforcement agency, or to hinder or obstruct any law enforcement officer in the performance of his duty, shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.
 

PREA allegations can be made in several ways:

  • Report directly to a staff member or via an Inmate Request/Grievance Form.
  • Speak with a supervisor.
  • Speak with healthcare staff or submit a Medical Request Form.
  • Contacting the Hoke County Detention Center Jail Administrator/ PREA Coordinator by dialing (910)875-5113
  • Contacting Raeford Police Dept. by dialing (910)875-8251
  • Contacting a third- party Hoke County Domestic Violence/ Sexual Assault Center Hot Line by dialing (910)878-0118

The Hoke County Detention Center has a Zero-Tolerance policy for retaliation towards an inmate or employee who reports inmate sexual abuse. Submit reports of retaliation in writing to the PREA Coordinator/Jail Administrator at P.O. Box 300 Raeford, NC 28376

If you have any information regarding an inmate who has been sexually abused in the HCDC, please call the Office of Professional Standards at (910) 677-5420. NOTE: Failure to report any incident, you could be found to have acted with deliberate indifference toward the victim’s health and/or safety.

Data Collection

Hoke County Detention Center collects accurate, uniform data on every allegation of sexual abuse, within the Jail facilities, including other facilities with which we contract for the confinement of our inmates. The PREA Coordinator's Annual Report is then forwarded to the United States Department of Justice on an annual basis.
 

Contact Information

If you have any questions or would like additional information regarding our zero-tolerance policy, please contact our PREA Coordinator, Lisa Thomas at (910)875-5113