Facility Investigation Procedure

Referring Allegations for

Investigation

  1. When any employee, intern, or volunteer of TCJJC receives an outcry or allegation of sexual abuse or sexual harassment, he or she should hear out the outcry in its entirety.  The employee, intern, or volunteer shall then immediately notify the Facility Administrator/Supervisor and the PREA Coordinator.
  2. The Secure Facility Administrator shall be responsible for any necessary reports to TJJD and local law enforcement.
  3. All allegations or outcries of sexual abuse made by a resident shall be investigated administratively and referred to a local law enforcement agency.  All allegations of sexual harassment made by a resident shall be investigated internally and where the conduct of the alleged perpetrator may constitute criminal conduct, be referred to the Taylor County Sheriff's Department.  All allegations of sexual abuse and sexual harassment shall be documented and assigned a local case number.
  4. When the Taylor County Sheriff's Department conducts a criminal investigation subsequent to a resident allegation of sexual abuse or sexual harassment the law enforcement agency shall be responsible for:
                    a.  Identifying relevant parties to the investigation
                    b.  Conducting interviews
                    c.  Gathering physical and forensic evidence
                    d.  Submitting physical and forensic evidence for appropriate analysis
                    e.  Compiling investigative findings into report form
                    f.  Where applicable, testifying to investigate steps taken and investigate findings in 
                           subsequent court hearings.

            5.  When TCJJC conducts an internal investigation it shall be responsible for:
                    a.  Notifying the parent/legal guardian of the alleged victim regarding the
                          allegations and any subsequent investigations
                    b.  Identifying relevant parties to the investigation
                    c.  Conducting interviews
                    d.  Securing physical and forensic evidence and notifying law enforcement 
                          when applicable
                    e.  Compiling investigative findings into report form
                    f.  Submitting final findings to TJJD and to the Chief Probation Officer of TCJJC
                    g.  Where applicable, presenting findings to law enforcement
                    h.  Where applicable, testifying to investigative steps taken and investigative findings
                            in subsequent court hearings.

            6.  All administrative and criminal investigations must be completed.  The PREA Compliance 
                Coordinator shall be responsible for ensuring all investigations are completed.