What is PREA?

PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) is a federal law that protects people in jails and prisons from sexual victimization, rape, and sexual assault.

Inmates have the right to be free of sexual abuse while incarcerated.

Inmates can have NO sexual contact with other inmates, SCDOC staff, volunteers, and/or contractors.

It is never appropriate for DOC staff or volunteers to make sexual advances or comments, or to engage in sexual contact with an inmate, including those persons under the supervision of Community Corrections.

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT INCLUDES:

• Sexual contact or penetration as defined by NH RSA 632-A
• Masturbating in front of another person
• Making obscene or sexual advances, gestures or comments
• Exposing genitalia, buttocks or female breasts
• Touching of self in a sexually provocative way
• Initiating or making promises in exchange for sexual favors (i.e. promising safety, privacy, housing, or privileges)
• Threats, intimidation or retaliation for any of these

INMATES HAVE THE RIGHT to report sexual abuse and THE RIGHT TO BE FREE OF RETALIATION for reporting abuse - if you are an ICE Inmate, the reporting of sexual abuse WILL NOT negatively impact your immigration proceedings.

FACTS RELATED TO SEXUAL ASSAULT:

• Anyone can be sexually assaulted.
• NOBODY asks or deserves to be raped.
• A person who is sexually assaulted is not at fault.
• Many survivors experience feelings of fear, sadness, anger, shame and helplessness.

Both victims & witnesses of a sexual assault have reporting options:

All complaints will be investigated

An inmate may:

• Report the incident to any trusted staff member
• Submit a Medical Slip or Inmate Request
• Contact the Strafford County Victim’s Assistance Program by calling 516-7138 on either the inmate phone system or an outside line.
• Write to Superintendent Brackett, the NH Attorney General or the Office of the Inspector General at the addresses listed below.

A family member may report sexual abuse of an inmate by:

• Calling the facility at (603) 742-3310 and asking to speak to the shift supervisor.
• Contacting the Strafford County Victim’s Assistance Program at (603) 516-7138
• Emailing the facility at StraffordJail@co.strafford.nh.us
• Writing to any of the following persons: