Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Information

The Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) has zero tolerance for any sexual abuse, assault, misconduct, or harassment between individuals incarcerated in our facilities. Sexual activity between staff, volunteers or contract personnel and incarcerated individuals/residents, is also prohibited and subject to administrative and criminal sanctions. The department's PREA Policy 202.057, can be found here.

All employees, contractors, and volunteers are expected to have a clear understanding that the department strictly prohibits any type of sexual relationship with an individual under the department's supervision, and considers such a relationship a breach of the employee code of conduct. These relationships will not be tolerated. Mandatory staff training and incarcerated population education is provided to convey the expectation. All new contracts, amended contracts, or contracts renewals shall include an obligation to adopt and comply with the PREA standards. Contracted providers will be subject to PREA audits and contract monitoring to ensure compliance with PREA standards.

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.)

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. 

View the full text of the PREA statute.

The DOC has a PREA Coordinator responsible for the development, implementation, and oversight of the agency's efforts to comply with the PREA standards. The department also has PREA compliance managers at each facility.