Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) -

Jail > Pinellas County Jail > Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)

Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)

The Prison Rape Elimination Act is a federal law implemented in 2003 to address the prevention and elimination of sexual abuse in correctional institutions.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment of any inmate and is committed to upholding the Eighth Amendment Rights of all inmates. Sexual acts of any kind between staff (including contractors and volunteers) and inmate or detainees amounts to sexual abuse, is against the law and is strictly prohibited.

HOW TO REPORT SEXUAL ABUSE AT THE PINELLAS COUNTY JAIL:

Inmates are encouraged to report all allegations of sexual abuse and/or sexual misconduct immediately. Inmates are afforded several different avenues of reporting.

Report directly to a staff member or via an Inmate Request Form
Speak with a detention supervisor, chaplain or social worker.
Speak with healthcare staff or submit a Form 82 to medical staff.
The Detention Investigations Unit (DIU) can also be contacted via Inmate Request Form or directly by dialing 1*9042 from the inmate’s phone located in every housing location. This is a free call and a phone card is not necessary to make this call.

If you have any information regarding an inmate who has been sexually abused in the Pinellas County Jail, please call the Administrative Investigations Division at 727-582-6223 between the hours of 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday thru Friday. You may give your name or remain anonymous. For after-hours reporting, or if you do not wish to speak to anyone, an on-line complaint form may be filled out online. Please have as many details as possible to include:

Name of the inmate(s) and docket number(s)
Name(s) of person(s) involved
Name(s) of any witnesses
Description of the incident
Date and time of the incident
Location of where the incident occurred
Any additional relevant information
Your name and contact information (optional)

All allegations of sexual abuse, sexual threats and retaliation concerning an incident of sexual abuse at the Pinellas County Jail will be thoroughly investigated and shall be subject to administrative and/or criminal prosecution.

If you have any questions or would like additional information regarding our zero-tolerance policy, please contact our PREA Coordinator, Lieutenant T. Richardson via e-mail at trichardson@pcsonet.com.