SOP 220.09-att-2: PREA Standards and Information Related to Transgender/Intersex Offenders

PREA STANDARDS and INFORMATION

RELATED to
TRANSGENDER/INTERSEX

OFFENDERS

Policy and Safety:

It is the policy of the GDC to provide safe, secure, and
humane housing and treatment to all offenders, to include
transgender and intersex offenders. During intake, all
offenders are asked about LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual,
Transgender, Intersex) identity. Your gender and gender
identity are important for us to know so we can best
determine your housing and programming needs.

While you are incarcerated, no one has the right to pressure
you to engage in sexual acts. Rape and sexual assault are
violent and illegal acts. Regardless of your age, race, size,
ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation, you have
the right and opportunity to serve your sentence with
dignity. You do not have to tolerate sexual or physical
pressure, harassment, manipulation, or assault and we do not
tolerate it at the GDC.

Many of the GDC’s policies on zero tolerance toward sexual
abuse and sexual harassment come from the Prison Rape
Elimination Act (PREA) of 2003, 28 C.F.R. Part 115. You
can read more about PREA in the law library. The GDC
follows the PREA standards.

Definitions:

Transgender - A person whose gender identity (i.e.,
internal sense of feeling male or female) is different from
the person’s assigned sex at birth.

Intersex - A person whose sexual or reproductive anatomy or
chromosomal pattern does not seem to fit typical definitions
of male or female. Intersex medical conditions are sometimes
referred to as disorders of sex development.

Tips and Awareness:

- Be aware of your surroundings at all times.

- Never put your safety in the hands of another offender. If
you believe you are in danger, contact security staff and/or
the facility PREA compliance manager immediately.

- Do not accept gifts from others. Gifts and favors usually
have strings attached;

- All GDC staff are mandatory reporters of sexual abuse
and harassment as well as for any imminent danger of
abuse. Tell a staff if you are fearful of abuse or are being
abused or harassed so they can help you;

- Be selective in your choice of friends or associates;

- Do not gamble, seek or use contraband items, or
engage in any prohibited activities;

- Communicate respectfully with all offenders and all
staff; and

- If you are feeling depressed or feel as if you may
harm yourself, tell any staff and seek help from
mental health. Harming yourself will not solve your
problems. We are all here to help you.

If you feel you cannot tell a staff member about sexual abuse or
sexual harassment, you may write to the GDC statewide PREA
coordinator. The PREA coordinator’s address is:

GDC PREA Coordinator

300 Patrol Road
Forsyth, GA 31029

SOP 220.09
Attachment 2

7/26/19

Things to Know About During Your Stay:

- Placement and programming assignments for each
transgender or intersex offender will be reassessed at least
twice each year to review any threats to safety experienced
by you. Around every six months, someone from the
facility will meet with you to discuss any safety concerns,
prior to the facility completing a review of where you are
housed and how you are programmed.

- A transgender or intersex offender's own views with
respect to his or her own safety will be given serious
consideration. This does not mean you will decide where you
are housed, but it does mean we listen to you and what your
concerns are and take them seriously.

- Transgender and intersex offenders will be given the
opportunity to shower separately from other offenders.
The PREA compliance manager at your facility will
inform you how this process will work for you.

- Our staff are trained on how to conduct searches of
transgender and intersex offenders in a professional and
respectful manner. Like all offenders, you must cooperate
with searches.

- A state-wide committee that includes staff from medical,
mental health and security will meet and discuss your
facility placement decision. Your opinion about your own
safe placement will be considered. There are many factors
that are considered when deciding where to house each
offender.

- Your bed, unit, programming, education and detail
assignments will be reviewed at your facility by the
classification committee. They are committed to your
dignity and safety.

- You may request undergarments and hygiene items that
are consistent with your gender identity. If approved, these
will be issued to you after you arrive at your permanent
facility.