DCDC PREA Agency

Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)

The purpose of the act is to “provide for the analysis of the incidence and effects of prison rape in Federal, State, and local institutions and to provide information, resources, recommendations and funding to protect individuals from prison rape.”

What is the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)?

The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) was passed unanimously by both parties in Congress in 2003. The purpose of the act is to “provide for the analysis of the incidence and effects of prison rape in federal, state, and local institutions and to provide information, resources, recommendations and funding to protect individuals from prison rape.” (Prison Rape Elimination Act, 2003.) In addition to creating a mandate for significant research from the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the National Institute of Justice, PREA funding through the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the National Institute of Corrections has supported major efforts in many state correctional, juvenile detention, community corrections, lockups, and jail systems.

The act also created the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission and charged it with drafting standards for eliminating prison rape. Those standards were published in June 2009 and turned over to the Department of Justice for review and passage as a final rule. The Department of Justice published the final PREA Standards in the Federal Register on June 20, 2012, and they became effective August 20, 2012. 

In 2010, the Bureau of Justice Assistance funded the National PREA Resource Center to continue to provide federally funded training and technical assistance to states and localities and to serve as a single-stop resource for research and tools for all those in the field working to come into compliance with the federal standards.

Douglas County District Courts PREA Agency and its relationship with the Prison Rape Elimination Act

The purpose of The Agency is to ensure the sexual safety of facility youth and staff through a comprehensive agency-wide approach to prevention, detection, and response to sexual abuse and sexual harassment in all facilities operated or contracted by the Ninth Judicial District Court (aka Agency)

Zero Tolerance Policy

The DCDC PREA Agency has a Zero Tolerance Policy against all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment. The protection of the facility’s youth against all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment is important. All employees, staff, residents, contract employees, contract services personnel, volunteers, and visitors are subject to the Zero Tolerance Policy.

How do I report sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment?

Residents of the facility have the right to report sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment-free of retaliation and consequence.  Reports can be filed in the following ways:

  1. Report online: Report an Incident
  2. Tell a trusted staff member, request a supervisor, or request to speak to a member of the Administration. The administration accepts phone calls 24 hours a day.
  3. Ask staff to make a private phone call and contact one of the listed outside agencies provided during intake.
  4. Family Support Council for Victim Services, Emotional Support, or contact your designated advocate.
    1. Phone:  775-782-8692.
    2. Physical Address: 1255 Waterloo Lane, Gardnerville, NV 89410
    3. Mailing: P.O. Box 810 Minden, NV 89423
    4. Website:  https://www.family-support.org/ 
  5. Crisis Support Services of Nevada
    1. Phone: 775-221-7600
    2. Call, Text or Chat Dial:  988
    3. Address: PO Box 8016. Reno, NV 89507
    4. Website:  https://cssnv.org/about/contact-us/
  6. Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Investigations
    1. Phone: 775-784-9080  Or Douglas County Dispatch 775-782-5126
    2. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 218 Minden, NV 
  7. Youth may also request a private phone call to their parents, JPO, attorney, or other guardians.
  8. Parents or other third parties may report on behalf of a youth using any of the contact numbers provided on the website, including contacting the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

When a complaint rises to the level of an internal investigation it will be assigned to a designated individual. All criminal investigations will be referred to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. If the Sheriff’s Office declines to investigate, the Agency will initiate an Administrative Investigation.

All residents have an equal opportunity to participate in or benefit from all aspects of the agency’s efforts to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual abuse and sexual harassment.

Contact Us

  • Douglas County District Courts
  • PREA Coordinator
  • PO Box 218
  • Minden, NV 89423