LCDC has a ZERO Tolerance Policy for Sexual Assault / Sexual Harassment
Zero Tolerance means that no sexual act, contact or harassment, will be tolerated between any inmate with another inmate and/or between an inmate and an employee per South Carolina South Carolina Code of Laws §44-23-1150. Staff found guilty of such violations will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination and possible criminal prosecution. Inmates will be subject to disciplinary action consistent with the requirements of the Lexington County Detention Center’s inmate disciplinary procedures, and may be subject to criminal prosecution.
The Lexington County Detention Center is committed to its “zero-tolerance policy” of sexual assault and sexual victimization. This zero-tolerance policy affects every employee and every person under the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department’s supervision. Assaults or victimizations that are sexual in nature should be reported to staff members, in writing or by calling (803) 785-2701, a monitored line. Any reports will be kept as confidential, as the circumstance allows.
Falsely reporting incidents that did not actually occur may result in disciplinary action or criminal investigations.
115.22 Policies to ensure referrals of allegations for investigations.
(a) The agency shall ensure that an administrative or criminal investigation is completed for all allegations of sexual abuse and sexual harassment.
(b) The agency shall have in place a policy to ensure that allegations of sexual abuse or sexual harassment are referred for investigation to an agency with the legal authority to conduct criminal investigations, unless the allegation does not involve potentially criminal behavior. The agency shall publish such policy on its website or, if it does not have one, make the policy available through other means. The agency shall document all such referrals.
(c)The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department may request SLED to assist in the investigation of allegations of sexual abuse or sexual harrassment involving staff members.
POLICY 404.6: Sexual Assault/Sexual Harassment:
…All allegations of sexual abuse or sexual harassment will be immediately referred for investigation. Investigations will be referred to an agency with the legal authority to conduct criminal investigations, unless the allegation does not involve potentially criminal behavior.
Information regarding sexual abuse or sexual harassment of an inmate of the Lexington County Sheriff Department Detention Bureau may be e-mailed to Sergeant David Orr, PREA Manager Dorr@LCSD.SC.GOV Phone number 803-785-2500 or Lieutenant Walter Todd, PREA Coordinator WTodd@LCSD.SC.GOV Phone number 803-785-2701.
PREA Standards- PREA Resource Center
https://www.prearesourcecenter.org/sites/default/files/library/prisonsandjailsfinalstandards.pdf
Sexual Abuse Annual Report
2016: 17 incidents of alleged sexual abuse or harassment were reported in 2016. Of the 17 incidents, 8 were investigated administratively and 9 were investigated criminally. 11 Incidents were unfounded, 5 were unsubstantiated, and 1 incident was substantiated.
2017: 25 incidents of alleged sexual abuse or harassment were reported in 2017. Of the 25 incidents, 11 were investigated administratively and 14 were investigated criminally. 16 Incidents were unfounded and 9 were unsubstantiated.
2018: 15 incidents of alleged sexual abuse or harassment incidents were reported in 2018. Of the 15 incidents, 7 were investigated administratively and 8 were investigated criminally. 5 Incidents were unfounded, 6 were unsubstantiated, and 4 incidents were substantiated.
2019: 17 incidents of alleged sexual abuse or harassment were reported in 2019. Of the 17 incidents, 13 were investigated administratively and 4 were investigated criminally. 11 Incidents were unfounded, 5 were unsubstantiated, and 1 incident was substantiated.
2020: 43 incidents of alleged sexual abuse or harassment were reported in 2020. Of the 43 incidents, 6 were investigated administratively and 5 were investigated criminally. 10 Incidents were unfounded, 2 were unsubstantiated, 2 incidents were substantiated, and 29 complaints were Non PREA.
2021: 53 incidents of alleged sexual abuse or harassment were reported in 2021. Of the 53 incidents, 17 were investigated administratively and 13 were investigated criminally. 27 Incidents were unfounded, 4 were unsubstantiated, and 22 complaints were Non PREA.
2022: 38 incidents of alleged sexual abuse or harassment were reported in 2022. Of the 38 incidents, 7 were investigated administratively and 3 were investigated criminally. 6 Incidents were unfounded and 5 were unsubstantiated. 27 complaints were Non PREA.
Definitions:
Unfounded allegation: Allegation that was investigated and determined not to have occurred.
Unsubstantiated allegation: Allegation that was investigated and the investigation produced insufficient evidence to make a final determination as to whether or not the event occurred.
Substantiated allegation: Allegation that was investigated and determined to have occurred.
Non PREA complaint: Complaints that are put in the system as a PREA complaint but are not PREA related.