Prison Rape Elimination Act
The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) is a federal law that helps prisons and jails prevent, detect, and address sexual abuse and misconduct in confinement settings.
Washington County is fully committed to PREA. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office has a zero tolerance policy for sexual abuse and sexual harassment in the county jail. The Sheriff’s Office will take appropriate measures to protect all inmates. All allegations of sexual abuse and sexual harassment (28 CFR 115.11) will be promptly and thoroughly investigated.
Additionally, in compliance to the PREA, the Sheriff's Office Jail will undergo a PREA audit every 3 years. Final reports are posted below.
Learn more about PREA from the National PREA Resource Center.
Where does PREA apply?
PREA applies to a wide range of detention facilities, including: county jails, state prison facilities, juvenile detention facilities, community correction facilities, federal prisons, immigration detention centers, and police lockups.
If you have information regarding sexual abuse, sexual harassment or retaliation against any person under the supervision of the Washington County Sheriff's Office Jail, email Jail Sergeant or call 651-439-9381. Or, you may call Canvas Health Abuse Response Services at 651-777-1117.
If you call during regular business hours, your call may be answered by a staff member who will ask you a number questions regarding the allegations.
If you call during non-business hours, leave a detailed message about the incident that includes:
- The facility where the alleged abuse occurred.
- The nature of the sexual abuse being reported.
- The names or descriptions of those involved in the alleged abuse.
- Any additional details that will assist the investigation of this incident.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office will investigate any criminal allegations.
In accordance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act, The Washington County Jail is required to undergo a PREA audit every 3 years. We are required to post a copy of the Final Report once the audit is completed.
2025
- 2025 Washington County Jail Adult PREA Annual Report (PDF)
- 2025 Washington County Jail Juvenile PREA Annual Report (PDF)
2024
- 2024 Washington County Jail Adult PREA Annual Report (PDF)
- 2024 Washington County Jail Juvenile PREA Annual Report (PDF)
2023
- 2023 Washington County Jail Adult PREA Annual Report (PDF)
- 2023 Washington County Jail Adult PREA Facility Audit Final Report (PDF)
- 2023 Washington County Jail Juvenile PREA Annual Report (PDF)
- 2023 Washington County Jail Juvenile PREA Facility Audit Final Report (PDF)
2022
- 2022 Washington County Jail Adult PREA Annual Report (PDF)
- 2022 Washington County Jail Juvenile PREA Annual Report (PDF)
2021
- 2021 Washington County Jail Adult PREA Annual Report (PDF)
- 2021 Washington County Jail Juvenile PREA Annual Report (PDF)
2020
- 2020 Washington County Jail Adult PREA Annual Report (PDF)
- 2020 Washington County Jail Adult PREA Audit Final Report (PDF)
- 2020 Washington County Jail Juvenile PREA Annual Report (PDF)
- 2020 Washington County Jail Juvenile PREA Audit Final Report (PDF)