The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), enacted in 2003, is a federal law created to eliminate sexual abuse in confinement. The law provides federal funding for research, programs, training, and technical assistance, as well as the development of national standards to reduce prison rape.
The Washington County Detention Center maintains a zero tolerance policy toward sexual abuse and sexual misconduct involving inmates and staff. The policy includes prevention, detection, response, investigation, and tracking. All allegations are investigated thoroughly and may result in administrative and criminal sanctions.