CUMBERLAND COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) was signed into Federal law in 2003 by President George W. Bush. It was created to address the problem of sexual misconduct in all confinement facilities. In 2012, the U.S. Department of Justice released national PREA standards to prevent, detect and respond to sexual abuse and sexual harassment in confinement facilities.

The Cumberland County Department of Corrections is responsible for protecting the rights of incarcerated persons placed under the Department’s custody and supervision. The Department has established a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment and acts to prevent, detect and respond to all allegations and incidents of sexual misconduct.

Reporting Inmate Sexual Abuse/Sexual Harassment

Incarcerated persons who are victims of sexual abuse/ sexual harassment, or have knowledge of sexual abuse/sexual harassment or retaliation should immediately report the incident by using any of the following reporting methods:

• Verbally or in writing to any Department of Corrections staff member, contractor or volunteer

• Using the Inmate Remedy System form
  

• Contacting the Jail PREA Coordinator.

• Contacting the Special Investigations Unit

Third Party Reporting of Incarcerated Person Sexual Abuse/Sexual Harassment

Family members, friends, attorneys, clergy or any other third party may make a report of sexual abuse/sexual harassment or retaliation on an incarcerated persons behalf by using any of the following methods:

• Contacting the Jail Special Investigations Unit

• Contacting the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office

• Contacting your local law enforcement agency

Procedure for Filing an Emergency Grievance:

• Any inmate who feels that they are subject to a substantial risk of imminent sexual abuse may file an emergency grievance without being expected to follow an “informal” grievance process.
  

• A third-party, such as fellow inmates, staff members, family members, attorneys, and outside advocates may assist inmates in filing requests for administrative remedies relating to allegations of sexual abuse. They are also permitted to file the request on the inmates’ behalf. If a third-party files the request, the department may require the alleged victim to agree to the request being filed on their behalf as a condition of processing the request. The alleged victim may also be required to pursue any subsequent steps in the administrative remedy process personally. If the inmate refuses, their decision will be documented.

• There is no time limit on when the grievance regarding an allegation of sexual abuse must be filed.

• Upon receipt of such request, CCDOC will provide an initial response within 48 hours.

• A final decision will be issued within (5) calendar days and will document the department’s determination whether the inmate is in substantial risk of imminent sexual abuse and the action take in response to the emergency grievance.

• All emergency requests for administrative remedy should be submitted to the on-duty Shift Commander or Shift Supervisor.

*CCDOC does reserve the right to discipline any inmate who is found to have filed a grievance related to alleged sexual abuse in bad faith.