SOP_NUMBER: 220.09-att-2 TITLE: PREA Standards and Information Related to Transgender/Intersex Offenders DIVISION: Facilities TOPIC_AREA: 220 Policy-Facilities Diagnostics/Classification EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2019-07-26 WORD_COUNT: 740 POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/508531 URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/220.09-att-2/ SUMMARY: This informational brochure explains GDC's policies and procedures for housing and treating transgender and intersex offenders safely and with dignity. It outlines offender rights regarding sexual abuse and harassment prevention, describes how placement decisions are made with consideration of individual safety concerns, and provides practical information about housing, programming, searches, and access to appropriate hygiene items. The brochure also includes safety awareness tips and contact information for reporting sexual abuse or harassment. KEY_TOPICS: PREA, transgender offenders, intersex offenders, sexual abuse prevention, sexual harassment, housing placement, gender identity, LGBTI, safe housing, offender rights, dignity, gender-appropriate items, facility placement, sexual assault, mandatory reporting, security concerns ATTACHMENTS: 1. Statewide Classification Committee (SCC) Referral Form URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/220.09-att-1/ 2. PREA Standards and Information Related to Transgender/Intersex Offenders URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/220.09-att-2/ ======================================================================== FULL TEXT: ======================================================================== **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.