Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)

The Prison Rape Elimination Act is a federal law implemented in 2003 to address the prevention and elimination of sexual abuse in correctional institutions.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment of any inmate and is committed to upholding the Eighth Amendment rights of all inmates. Sexual acts of any kind between staff (including contractors and volunteers) and inmates or detainees amounts to sexual abuse, is against the law, and is strictly prohibited.


How to Report Sexual Abuse at the Pinellas County Jail

Inmates are encouraged to report all allegations of sexual abuse or sexual misconduct immediately. Inmates are afforded several different avenues of reporting.

  • Report directly to a staff member or via the Inmate Request Manager kiosk.
  • The Detention Investigations Unit (DIU) can also be contacted via Inmate Request Manager or directly by dialing 1*9042 from the inmate’s phone located in every housing location. This is a free call and a phone card is not necessary to make this call.

If you have any information regarding an inmate who has been sexually abused in the Pinellas County Jail, please report in one of the following ways:

  • Call the Pinellas County Jail and ask to speak with an on-duty supervisor (24 hours/day, 727-464-6415)
  • Email details [like name/docket of inmate(s) involved, description of incident (what, where, when occurred), your contact information(optional)] to PREA@pcsonet.com(monitored regularly)
  • Call the Administrative Investigation Division (M-F, 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.) at 727-582-6223
  • Complete a complaint form online and include as many details as possible.

All allegations of sexual abuse, sexual threats, and retaliation concerning an incident of sexual abuse at the Pinellas County Jail will be thoroughly investigated and shall be subject to administrative action or criminal prosecution.

If you have any questions or would like additional information regarding our zero-tolerance policy, please contact our PREA Coordinator via email at prea@pcsonet.com.