PREA Information
The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) is a federal law that prohibits sexual misconduct in correctional settings such as prisons, jails, lockups, juvenile facilities, and INS detention facilities. Sexual misconduct under this law includes:
- Inmate-on-Inmate sexual assault and abuse
- Staff-on-inmate sexual misconduct (sexual/inappropriate relationships with inmates)
- Inmate-on-inmate and staff-on-inmate sexual harassment
The Benton County Corrections Department is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for staff and inmates. Benton County Corrections Department has zero tolerance for sexual misconduct of any kind and will impose discipline for such misconduct, up to and including dismissal for staff and serious infractions for inmates who victimize other inmates. Incidents of sexual misconduct will also be referred to law enforcement when applicable. Benton County Corrections Department's policies regarding sexual misconduct apply to all inmates. They also apply to employees, contractors, and volunteers.
Benton County Corrections Department investigates all allegations of inmate–on–inmate and staff-on-inmate sexual misconduct. You can report sexual misconduct in multiple ways:
If you have information regarding an inmate who has been the victim of sexual misconduct while in our custody, please call: 509-783-1451
You do not have to give your name but it is critical that you provide as many details as possible. This includes:
- The name(s) and locations of persons involved
- The name(s) or description of any witnesses to the incident
- Inmates number (if an inmate)
- A brief description of the incident(s)
- A brief description of where the event(s) occurred
- The date(s), time and place of occurrence(s)
- Names and contact information of others who might have additional information about the incident
- Your contact phone number and address (optional)
You can also report information regarding an inmate or request additional information about PREA by writing to:
- ATTN: PREA Coordinator
- Benton County Corrections Department
- 7122 W. Okanogan Pl. #B110
- Kennewick, WA 99336
Inmates serving their sentence within our facility are urged to report allegations of rape, sexual contact or staff sexual misconduct to the speed dial #4, then press #1 to make a PREA complaint from an inmate phone. Inmates can also report by submitting a kite, a grievance, telling a trusted staff member, asking a family member or friend to call Support, Advocacy and Resource Center (SARC) or by sending a written report to make a PREA complaint.
Please review the brochure "PREA Brochure" (also linked below under Resources) for additional information for Friends and Families. This information was also provided to each inmate housed in our facility. All allegations of criminal activity occurring within the facility are investigated by an independent law enforcement agency.
Annual Reports
Each year Benton County Corrections Department will publish an annual report regarding PREA-related incidents along with plans to improve prevention, detection, and investigation activities.
