The Montana Department of Corrections takes the safety and security of staff and offenders at its facilities seriously. This includes complying with the Prison Rape Elimination Act signed into law by President Bush on Sept. 4, 2003. This law was enacted to address the detection, prevention, reduction and prosecution of sexual abuse or sexual harassment in all correctional facilities in the nation. 

Regulations published by the U.S. attorney general in August 2012, require agencies to: 

• establish a zero-tolerance standard for sexual abuse or sexual harassment 
• collect and report data on prison sexual violence 
• train and educate correctional staff, contractors and volunteers about the nature of prison sexual violence, and how to prevent, detect and respond to incidents of sexual abuse or sexual harassment 
• thorough and appropriate risk assessment and screening of offenders to keep potential aggressors and potential victims separated 
• discipline and prosecution of corrections staff who perpetrate sexual abuse or sexual harassment against an inmate 
• hold corrections administrators accountable for the occurrence of prison sexual violence in their facilities 
• provide medical, mental health, & advocacy services for sexual abuse survivors

Reporting suspected sexual abuse or sexual harassment 

Anyone who suspects or has knowledge of any sexual harassment, sexual abuse or sexual misconduct in any juvenile or adult correctional facility should report it to a staff member, volunteer, supervisor, administrator, human resources official or the PREA unit. 

Inmates may file grievances, tell their case manager or unit manager, or speak with a correctional officer or any staff member with whom they feel comfortable and trust. Anyone who receives a report of sexual abuse or sexual harassment in any confinement setting must report it for investigation and disposition.

Third parties may report on behalf of an inmate by contacting any DOC staff member.