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 George W. Bush.
PREA also sets a standard that protects the Eighth Amendment rights of federal and state prisons, jails, lockups, and juvenile facilities, making the prevention of sexual assault a top priority. It also increases available data on sexual misconduct and sexual assault. Furthermore, PREA increases the accountability for administrators who fail to prevent, reduce and punish sexual misconduct and sexual assaults.
NNSO Compliance
In keeping with our mission to provide a safe, secure and humane environment for those incarcerated in the City Jail and Annex, the Newport News Sheriff’s Office is certified as compliant with PREA standards.
It is the policy of the NNSO to comply with all PREA standards. In accordance with PREA standard 115.11, the NNSO has established a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of sexual misconduct, incidents involving inmate-on-inmate sexual violence, and all forms of staff sexual misconduct/harassment toward inmates regardless of consensual status.
PREA AUDIT:
Download the 2018 PREA Audit Report
Applicability
WARNING:
The Newport News Sheriff’s Office supports the prosecution of persons who commit acts of sexual misconduct to the fullest extent, whether administratively or criminally.
Sexual assault is NOT TOLERATED at the Newport News City Jail and Annex facilities. It is the policy of the NNSO to prohibit sexual abuse by an employee, vendor, contracted agency, volunteer, inmate or other non-organizational members with a business association with the Sheriff’s Office. No individual, no matter his or her title or position, has the authority to commit or allow sexual abuse.
This policy applies to all inmates who are identified as possible victims of sexual abuse or harassment, who have been victimized by sexual abuse or harassment, or who have been identified as perpetrators of sexual abuse or harassment. It also applies to all persons employed by the Newport News Sheriff’s Office, volunteers, independent contractors, and those who are involved directly or indirectly in the care and custody of inmates.
PREA Reporting
City jail or Annex inmates are encouraged to immediately report all allegations of sexual abuse and/or sexual misconduct. (See NNSO PREA policy 115.22.) Doing so will allow for the quickest response and investigation. The claim or allegation does not have to come from the inmate. It may come from the public, such as a friend, family member, or loved one.
PREA allegations can be filed in several ways:
- Report directly to a staff member or via an Inmate Request Form
- Speak with a supervisor, chaplain, or social worker
- Speak with healthcare staff or submit a Medical Request Form
- Contact the NNSO PREA coordinator
- Inmates can reach Internal Affairs directly by dialing 757-778-9366
- Contact a third party (Victim Witness) by dialing 757-926-7443
- Download the Complaint Form detailing your complaint and mail it to:
Newport News Sheriff’s Office
Attn.: Chief Deputy
224 26th Street
Newport News, VA 23607
– Or –
E-mail the form to:
If you have information regarding an inmate who has been sexually abused in NNSO facilities, call Internal Affairs at (757) 778-9366. NOTE: If you fail to report any incident, you could be found to have acted with deliberate indifference toward the victim’s health and/or safety.
Data Collection
The Newport News Sheriff’s Office 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. That data is forwarded to the U.S Department of Justice each year. Click the link to see the detailed Survey of Sexual Victimization reporting form.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or would like additional information regarding our zero-tolerance policy, contact the PREA coordinator at 757-926-8535 and press 5 or say "ADMIN."