PREA became law to put an end to sexual abuse of all kinds in detention facilities and requires all prisons and jails to have policies to prevent, detect and respond to sexual assault. PREA covers staff against inmate sexual abuse as well as inmate against inmate sexual abuse.
The Alexandria Sheriff’s Office has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual misconduct against persons in our custody and within all facilities and operations under the control of the Sheriff. Sexual conduct between inmates and staff, volunteers, or contract personnel and between inmates, regardless of consensual status, is prohibited and subject to administrative disciplinary and criminal prosecution.
In August 2024, the Sheriff's Office attained our official certification of PREA compliance following a thorough policy review and on-site assessment by an independent auditor.
PREA - Prison Rape Elimination Act Reporting
The Alexandria Sheriff’s Office takes all reports of sexual abuse seriously and is committed to keeping inmates who make reports safe from retaliation.
All inmates receive information on how to report sexual abuse and harassment through inmate orientation, signs, educational videos and ongoing communication.
Inmates who have been sexually abused or harassed are encouraged to report it immediately. Inmates have multiple internal ways to report sexual abuse and sexual harassment, retaliation by other inmates or staff for reporting sexual abuse and sexual harassment, and staff neglect or violation of responsibilities that may have contributed to such incidents. An inmate may report such incidents to any employee, including chaplains, medical, mental health or counseling staff, security staff or command staff. Staff shall accept reports made verbally, in writing, anonymously, and from third parties and shall promptly document any allegations.
Inmates may also report sexual abuse or sexual harassment by calling the Department of Emergency and Customer Communications at 703.746.4444, or by calling the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office Investigations, Policy and Oversight Section at 703.746.5008, or in writing or by submitting an inmate request or a grievance form. The Department of Emergency and Customer Communications is not part of the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office.
If inmates do not feel comfortable making a report to an ASO employee, they may have their attorney, a friend or family member report the allegation on the inmate’s behalf using the same avenues noted above.
An administrative investigation conducted by the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office or a criminal investigation conducted by the Alexandria Police Department, in accordance with PREA standards, will be completed for all allegations of sexual abuse and sexual harassment.