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Incident Report Form - JD-ES-293 - PDF
Judicial Branch PREA Policy - PDF
PREA Reports
Prison Rape Elimination Act Brochure | en español - PDF
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Sexual abuse is among the most destructive of crimes,
brutal and devastating in the moment and carrying the potential to haunt
victims forever. For too long, incidents of sexual abuse against
incarcerated persons have not been taken as seriously as sexual abuse
outside the walls of confinement facilities. In popular culture, prison rape
is often the subject of jokes; in public discourse, it has been at times
dismissed by some as an inevitable – or even deserved – consequence of
criminality.
But sexual abuse is never a laughing matter, nor is it
punishment for a crime. Rather, it is a crime, and it is no more tolerable
when its victims have committed crimes of their own. Sexual abuse within a
confinement facility can have severe consequences for victims, for the
security of correctional facilities, and for the safety and well-being of
the communities to which nearly all incarcerated persons will eventually
return.
Source: National Prison Rape Elimination Commission
Report, Executive Summary, June 2009
PREA was unanimously passed by the United States Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush to
establish a zero-tolerance standard for all acts of sexual abuse and sexual
harassment in confinement facilities. PREA created the first set of national
standards for the detection, prevention and punishment of sexual abuse and
sexual harassment in confinement facilities.
The Connecticut Judicial Branch has zero tolerance toward all forms of sexual abuse and
sexual harassment, particularly in its confinement facilities. As such, the
Judicial Branch is committed to meet its obligations under the Prison Rape
Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA), 42 U.S.C. § 15601, et seq.
Judicial Branch policy prohibits all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment in
its facilities. If you or somebody you know has been the victim of sexual
abuse or sexual harassment while in a Judicial Branch facility, or has been
the subject of retaliation for reporting an incident of sexual abuse or
sexual harassment, please contact the Judicial Branch PREA Coordinator at
PREA@jud.ct.gov, complete the
Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Incident Report Form - JD-ES-293 in accordance with the form’s instructions or contact the
Connecticut State Police.
Referral for Investigation
Criminal Investigations – Sexual Abuse
The Connecticut State Police shall
serve as the investigating authority for all allegations of sexual abuse
that occur within a Judicial Branch facility. All allegations of sexual
abuse that occur within a Judicial Branch facility either between
individuals in the custody of the Judicial Branch or by a Judicial Branch
employee must be reported as soon as practical to the Connecticut State
Police, the Executive Director of the appropriate division and the Judicial
Branch and Unit PREA Coordinator in accordance with the reporting procedures
provided above. Sexual abuse investigations by the Connecticut State Police
may occur concurrently with an administrative investigation by Judicial
Branch personnel. The Judicial Branch will assist the Connecticut State
Police as needed.
Connecticut State Police’s guidelines for PREA-related investigations
- PDF
Administrative Investigations – Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment
All administrative investigations will be conducted promptly,
thoroughly and objectively. The Judicial Branch’s Human Resources Management Unit shall serve as the investigating authority
for all allegations of sexual abuse, sexual harassment, or retaliation involving a Judicial Branch employee that occur within
a Judicial Branch confinement facility.
The Unit PREA Coordinator to which the confinement facility reports
shall initiate an administrative investigation into all complaints or incidents of sexual abuse, sexual harassment, or retaliation
between individuals in the custody of the Judicial Branch in accordance with division and/or unit policies and procedures. The administrative
investigation will include whether the alleged incident of sexual abuse, sexual harassment, or retaliation was the result of employee misconduct
or negligence.
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