NCJ Number
189025
Journal
American Jails Volume: 14 Issue: 5 Dated: November/December 2000 Pages: 23-35
Date Published
2000
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This article provides an overview of the definition of corrections staff sexual misconduct; what is happening nationally that highlights staff sexual misconduct; why jail administrators must assess their agency's vulnerability; how to prevent staff sexual misconduct; and how to begin investigating allegations of staff sexual misconduct.
Abstract
Based on numerous court findings and settlement agreements from some major lawsuits, corrections staff sexual misconduct can be defined as "any behavior or act of any sexual nature, directed toward an inmate or detainee, by an employee, vendor, contractor, volunteer, visitor, or any other agency representative." Staff sexual misconduct exists in small jails and larger systems. It is rarely rape, most often being "consensual." Misconduct occurs between inmates and volunteers, chaplains, lawyers, contractors, medical personnel, and interns. No individuals who enter a jail should be considered immune from being involved in an inappropriate relationship with an inmate. The impact of staff sexual misconduct on an organization and its staff can be very harmful. In the past 5 years, several national and international reports have addressed, explored, and investigated the issue of staff sexual misconduct. This article summarizes the findings from five such studies. Every jail administrator should assess the jail's vulnerability to staff sexual misconduct and act to protect staff and inmates. Written policy is essential, so as to establish a clear commitment to a policy of zero tolerance for staff sexual misconduct. Written policy then becomes the foundation for administrative actions, training, reporting, investigations, operations, inmate education/orientation, public information/media relations, multiagency coordination, and improvement in agency operations. 8 notes