Q&A
DOC's process for investigating sexual abuse allegations
1:11:04
·
166 sec
Ingris Martinez, Deputy Director of Investigations for the PREA unit, explains the process for investigating sexual abuse allegations at DOC.
- Investigations begin immediately upon receiving an allegation
- If staff is involved, the case is sent to the Department of Investigation (DOI) for clearance within 24 hours
- Investigators conduct confidential interviews in a compassionate manner
- Separation orders are put in place and supportive services are provided to the victims
- The process aims to adhere to federal standards and minimize re-victimization
Donna Hylton
1:11:04
morning.
1:11:05
Good morning.
Ingris Martinez
1:11:09
My name is Invis Martinez.
1:11:10
I am the deputy director of investigations for the Priya unit.
1:11:15
I first and foremost, I want to say that hearing these stories today, I am very glad to be part of this team and thankful that these these federal standards are being adhered to and in place.
1:11:32
I'm sorry that this happened so long ago, but in practice, putting Priya into practice will help that there are that we diminish these types of stories.
1:11:44
Okay?
1:11:45
Our investigations begin with an allegation.
1:11:51
At the time of an allegation, if staff is involved, we immediately send it out to DUI for clearance.
1:11:58
There is no delay beyond the from the initial of the complaint, immediate DUI clearance from minutes to up to 24 hours, and then taken by sending out investigators onto the field to conduct interviews in a confidential setting.
1:12:17
I want to let the counsel know that our investigators conduct our interviews in a compassionate method.
1:12:27
We take our time.
1:12:29
We ensure that all the information is documented that one time not to evict themize.
1:12:36
Our person's in custody ensuring that separation orders are put into place and that mandated services are adhere to and continue with supportive services.
1:12:47
Thank you.
1:12:47
As far as unfounded,
Sandy Nurse
1:12:48
unfounded, please can we focus on What is considered a founded sexual abuse case?
1:12:55
How do you make that determination?
Ingris Martinez
1:12:57
So our determinations are based on the federal standards.
1:13:02
The federal standards for unfounded is that we prove based the burden of proof is be sorry.
1:13:10
Based on the preponderance of the evidence, unfounded means that we proved that it did not happen.
Sandy Nurse
1:13:18
Okay.
Ingris Martinez
1:13:19
So let me Can you sorry.
1:13:23
Can you restate that last part again?
1:13:25
Okay.
1:13:25
Thank you.
1:13:26
So we're saying that the unfounded based on the federal standards definition using the preponderance of the evidence, using our business records, using our electronic monitoring services, we proved that it did not occur.
1:13:43
Your question earlier was about staffing and how as far as discipline.
