Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)

The Blount County Sheriff’s Corrections Facility’s maintains a zero tolerance in keeping with the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) of 2003, which will enhance intervention, documentation, reporting, and investigative procedures. The Blount County Sheriff’s Corrections Facility has mandated a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment.

Investigations

Such conduct is prohibited and will not be tolerated; to include inmate-on-inmate sexual abuse or harassment and employee-on-inmate sexual abuse or harassment. It is Blount County Sheriff’s Corrections Facility’s policy to aggressively investigate all allegations, regardless of the source, and prosecute those who are involved in incidents of sexual abuse. Alleged victims of sexual abuse or harassment will be provided a supportive and protective environment. The credibility of an alleged victim, suspect, or witness is assessed on an individual basis and not determined by the person’s status as inmate or staff.

Reporting

Citizens 13 years and older can make third-party notifications of sexual abuse in any Blount County Sheriff’s Corrections Facility to:

Adult and Juvenile Corrections Facility
Sexual Assault Center of East Tennessee
6215 Kingston Pike
Suite A
Knoxville, TN 37919

Phone: 865-522-7273
Call the Tip Hotline: 865-273-5200
Text-A-Tip website

Citizens under 13 years can make third-party notifications of sexual abuse in any Blount County Sheriff’s Corrections Facility to:
Tennessee Department of Children’s Services
305 Home Avenue
Maryville, TN 37804
Phone: 865-981-2366
Call the Tip Hotline: 865-273-5200
Text-A-Tip website

Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Documents

• Final Report PREA Audit 2022 (PDF)
• SSV3-2022 (PDF)
• BCSO Corrections Facility Inmate Sexual Abuse and Harassment Policy (PDF)
• Prison Rape Elimination Act Audit Summary Report – Adult Facility (PDF)
• Prison Rape Elimination Act Audit Summary Report – Juvenile Facility (PDF)
• Survey of Sexual Victimization, 2018 Local Jail Jurisdictions Summary Form (PDF)
• Blount County 2019 Final Report (PDF)