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Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)

Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)

Zero Tolerance Policy

The Berks County Jail System (BCJS) maintains a zero tolerance policy for substantiated acts or threats of sexual abuse, sexual harassment, or retaliation for the reporting of sexual abuse or harassment. While incarcerated at BCJS, inmates have the right to be free from sexual abuse, or any related threats, harassments, intimidations, or retaliations.

Law Enforcement Referral

Sexual abuse or harassment of inmates by other inmates or by jail staff, contracted staff, volunteers, professional visitors, or interns is strictly prohibited. All alleged violations will be thoroughly investigated, may be subject to administrative sanctions, and will be referred to law enforcement for criminal prosecution unless the allegation does not involve potentially criminal behavior.

3rd Party Reporting

Friends, family, and professional visitors may report suspected incidents of sexual abuse or sexual harassment by:

  • Email
  • Phone: 610.208.4800 ext. 4026 (Mon-Fri, 8am - 4pm, Closed Holidays)
  • Hotline: 1-844-429-5412 (24 hours per day/7 days per week)

Statistics

Label20132014201520162017201820192020202120222023
Retaliation Allegations00000000000
Ongoing Investigation at the Year End00000000000
Substantiated Allegations12321720021
Unfounded Allegations216910193474834
Sexual Harassment Allegations31178122021046
Sexual Abuse Allegations5141114152473824
Unsubstantiated Allegations506107300015
Investigations Completed82618222744948610

Statistics represents the total number of staff-on-inmate plus inmate-on-inmate investigations. 

Audit

*CONFIDENTIALITY – All correspondence and information provided during interviews with the designated auditor or auditor’s staff are confidential and will not be disclosed unless required by law. There are exceptions when confidentiality must be legally broken. Exceptions include, but are not limited to the following:

  • if the person is an immediate danger to her/himself or others (e.g. suicide or homicide);
  • allegations of suspected child abuse, neglect or maltreatment;
  • in legal proceedings where information has been subpoenaed by a court of appropriate jurisdiction.