This report has been prepared in accordance with §115.87 in order to assess and improve the effectiveness of its sexual abuse prevention, detection, and response policies, practices, and training. In subsequent years, the information collected for this report shall be used to identify problem areas and to take corrective action on an ongoing basis.
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 Immigration Services ICE detention facilities. Sexual Misconduct under this law includes:
The Putnam County Sheriff's Office is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for staff and offenders. This Agency has zero tolerance for sexual misconduct of any kind and shall impose discipline for such misconduct, up to and including dismissal for staff and serious infractions for Incarcerated Persons/Detainees who victimize other Incarcerated Person/Detainees. Incidents of sexual misconduct shall be investigated, and offenders shall be prosecuted when applicable. The Putnam County Sheriff's Office policies regarding sexual misconduct apply to all Incarcerated Persons, Detainees, Employees, Contractors and Civilian Volunteers.
This report summarizes the extensive effort by this Office to achieve compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act.
This Office has drafted new updated policies specifically related to PREA.
All sworn members of this Agency have received initial and annual training specific to PREA. In addition to NYS mandated Sexual Harassment/Sexual Misconduct course for new hires, training as follows: • PREA standards and zero tolerance for sexual abuse and harassment, staff member's responsibilities, reporting procedures and Incarcerated Person/Detainee rights
Furthermore, all civilian staff members, volunteers and contractors have also received PREA training specific to their responsibilities based on their level of contact with Incarcerated Persons/Detainees.
Mental Health personnel, in addition to employee training, have completed an additional training required for health care providers.
During the admissions process, all Incarcerated Persons receive a PREA information pamphlet that explains the federal law and provides phone numbers and addresses of state and local agencies they can contact for information and assistance. Incarcerated individual education is conducted during the classification process through a PREA video presentation.
A screening instrument has been developed to assist booking/classification officers in collecting information needed to make appropriate housing decisions. The instrument helps identify Incarcerated Persons/Detainees who have the propensity to engage in potential predatory behavior as well as Incarcerated Persons/Detainees who may be at substantial risk for victimization.
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office currently works with the County District Attorney's Office, the Putnam Hospital Center and the Putnam-Northern Westchester Women’s Resource Center to provide assistance and 24-hour 7 day per week access to several Rape Crisis hotlines.
| Incarcerated Population | Non-Consensual Acts | Abusive Sexual Contact | Sexual Harassment | Total |
| Substantiated | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unsubstantiated | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Unfounded | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Ongoing | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total allegations reported | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Staff | Sexual Misconduct | Sexual Harassment | Total |
| Substantiated | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unsubstantiated | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unfounded | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Ongoing | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Total allegations reported | 2 | 3 | 5 |
