Newsroom: Arlington County Sheriff’s Office Successfully Passes Third PREA Audit

Press release from the Arlington County Government:

October 13, 2020

The Arlington County Sheriff’s Office has met all applicable Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standards following an audit that was conducted earlier this year.

“The Arlington County Sheriff’s Office is committed to fully complying with the standards of PREA to provide a safe, humane, and secure environment for all individuals in our care,” said Sheriff Beth Arthur. “Achieving PREA compliance is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Sheriff’s Office staff to ensure the Detention Facility is an environment free of sexual misconduct, abuse, assault and harassment.”

In 2014, the Arlington County Detention Facility was the first jail in the National Capital Region to gain certification in PREA standards. All confinement sites that are required to comply with PREA standards must be audited every three years. On September 20, 2020, the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office passed all federal PREA standards and exceeded standards in three categories. This marks the third successful PREA audit for the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office.

About PREA

Congress enacted the PREA in 2003 to address sexual misconduct in juvenile facilities, jails, prisons, and other secure confinement facilities. National standards were developed in 2012 for enhancing the prevention, detection, reduction, reporting, and response of sexual assault, abuse, and harassment. PREA requires all correctional facilities to have a zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual abuse and harassment.

This press release was produced by the Arlington County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.