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Grand Island Corrections prepares to implement P.R.E. Act
Sex assault and sexual misconduct doesn't just happen on the streets. It's a common crime that happens to prison inmates and even staff.
One of the reasons why the federal government ordered the Hall County Department of Corrections to implement the P.R.E. Act. This jail is the home to some dangerous criminals. But, inside the walls prisoners and even staff are not safe from the dangers of sexual assault. A reason for the Prison Rape Elimination Act. "Provides safe environment in that both inmates and staff know that there's zero tolerances for sexual abuse, sexual assault or any type of sexual activity involving inmate, inmate and staff against inmate," said Fred Ruiz, Director of Hall County Corrections. The problem is sparse at the jail county. An estimated 3.1% of jail inmates reported experiencing sexual victimization in 2011. "We do a really good job without it I'm not sure if we weren't protecting those federal funding sources that it's something that would be necessary to do the extent that we are," said Scott Arnold, Hall County Supervisor. P.R.E.A. was signed into law by former President Bush on September 4th, 2003. 9 Years later it's finally taking shape. "It's a national program I think you see a few more problems in facilities that are outdated as well as facilities that don't have appropriate reporting procedures those that don't have direct supervision in their jail environment," said Ruiz As the Hall County Board of Supervisors take part in their quarterly tour of the corrections facility They discuss ways to effectively put the law into action. "The policies and procedures implementing them and then hiring an administrator to conduct those investigations to monitor the program that type of work," said Ruiz. The law will go into affect January 1st of 2013. The Hall County Department of Corrections has also been ordered by the federal government to create an outdoor recreational facility to comply with federal immigration customs enforcement law referred to as I.C.E. The project is in its preliminary stage. |
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