Prison Rape Elimination Act

The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) is a federal law that prohibits sexual misconduct in correctional settings such as prisons, jails, lockups, juvenile facilities and INS detention facilities. Sexual misconduct under this law includes:

Inmate -on -Inmate sexual assault and abuse

Staff-on-Inmate sexual misconduct (sexual/inappropriate relationships with inmates)

Inmate- on- Inmate and staff –on-inmate sexual harassment

The Lewis County Jail (LCJ) is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for staff and inmates. LCJ has zero tolerance for sexual misconduct of any kind and will impose discipline for such misconduct, up to and including dismissal for staff and serious infractions for inmates who victimize other inmates. Incidents of sexual misconduct will also be referred to law enforcement when applicable. LCJ’s policies regarding sexual misconduct applies to all inmates. They also apply to employees, contractors and volunteers.

LCJ investigates all allegations of inmate-on-inmate and staff-on-inmate sexual misconduct. You can report sexual misconduct in multiple ways:

If you have information regarding a LCJ inmate who has been the victim of sexual misconduct while under LCJ custody, please call:
360-740-1155
Messages are checked by supervisors, daily, each shift
You don’t have to give your name but it is critical that you provide as many details as possible. This includes:
The name(s) and locations of persons involved
The name(s) or description of any witnesses to the incident
Inmates number (if an inmate)
A brief description of the incident(s)
A brief description of where the event(s) occurred
The date(s), time and place of occurrence(s)

Names and contact information of others who might have additional information about the incident

Your contact phone number and address (optional)

1. Writing a letter to :
   PREA Investigations
   28 SW Chehalis Ave.
   Chehalis, WA 98532
2. Calling the jail and asking for an on-duty supervisor.
3. Calling 911 to report an alleged crime

Inmates serving their sentence within LCJ are urged to report allegations of rape, sexual contact or staff sexual misconduct to the toll-free number (360-740-1155) from the facility phone. Inmates can also report by submitting a Grievance Tracker request, telling a trusted staff member, asking a family member or friend to call the hotline, sending a written report to the PREA unit via legal mail or by calling Human Response Network and reporting an allegation.

Please review the brochure “sexual assault and custodial sexual misconduct (linked below under resources) for additional information for friends and family. This information was also provided to each inmate housed in our facility. All allegations of criminal activity occurring within the facility are investigated.

Each year the LCJ will publish an annual report regarding PREA-related incidents along with plans to improve prevention, detection and investigation activities. Our first report is being developed and will be posted to this portion of the website as soon as it is completed.

LCJ policy and procedures regarding PREA

PREA brochure

National PREA Resource Center

National Institute of Corrections PREA

RCW 9A.44.160

RCW 9A.44.170