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                                    Topics In Corrections
                                    PREA/Sexual Safety For The Incarcerated

      

                    
          
    PREA/Sexual Safety for the Incarcerated
The Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA, P.L. 108-79) was enacted by Congress to address the problem of sexual abuse of persons in the custody of U.S. correctional agencies. The National Institute of Corrections has been a leader in this topic area since 2004, providing assistance to many agencies through information and training resources.

Major provisions of PREA include:

Adherence to a zero-tolerance standard for the incidence of inmate sexual assault and rape;
	Development of standards for detection, prevention, reduction, and punishment of prison rape;
	Collection and dissemination of information on the incidence of prison rape; and
	Award of grant funds to help state and local governments implement the purposes of the Act.The Act applies to all public and private institutions that house adult or juvenile offenders and is also relevant to community-based agencies. It addresses both inmate-on-inmate sexual abuse and staff sexual misconduct. On June 23, 2009, the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission released and forwarded to the U.S. Attorney General its final report and proposed standards to prevent, detect, respond to and monitor sexual abuse of incarcerated and detained individuals. Based on the Attorney General's independent judgment, a final rule was published to the Federal Register on June 20, 2012. Links to the Federal Register, the Commission report and executive summary, the final standards, and other relevant documents are provided in the "Related Web Sites" sidebar to the left.

A special thanks goes to Jefferson County Sheriff's Office for the photograph.

    Resource Links
          Hot Topic: Information on Staff-Inmate Boundaries and Inmate Manipulation
          Hot Topic: Do you have lesson plans on investigations and report writing?
          Implementing the PREA Standards, Protecting Inmates, and Safeguarding Communities FY 2019 Competitive Grant Announcement
          National PREA Resource Center
          Meeting the Needs of Prison Rape Victims
          Project on Addressing Prison Rape
                   NIC Resources
          National Institute of Corrections' Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Training Courses
          Price
              $0.00

Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Resources

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Topic Categories and Resources
The following grey bars are accordions that can be expanded to show a list of "top-shelf" resources that have been hand-picked by our library team around this topic. If you would like additional research assistance on this topic, please contact our help desk. They have access to specialized databases and thousands of resources you won't find online. Click on a grey box below to browse resources in that section.
            
      Accordion    General
      
      Untangling the PREA Standards: Outside Reporting, Confidential Support, and Third-Party Reporting Fact Sheet

            
      
"In developing the PREA [Prison Rape Elimination Act] standards, the Department of Justice ensured that inmates/detainees/residents have multiple ways to report sexual abuse, and that they are able to access victim support services from outside agencies. The purpose of this fact sheet is to clarify
              Using a Prevention, Trauma-Informed Framework when Implementing PREA

            
      
Accession Number
              031507

            "This video training series was designed to provide an important foundation for understanding trauma, the implications of trauma on the behaviors of inmates while in confinement, and how correctional administrators and practitioners can use this information to support successful PREA implementation
              Price
              $0.00

PREA Essentials

            
      
“The PREA Resource Center (PRC) designed this PREA [Prison Rape Elimination Act] Essentials Page to guide professionals in their implementation of specific standards; therefore, this page is organized by standards categories ... Each category contains: (1) a brief synopsis summarizing the standards

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              Cross-gender Searches: A Case Law Survey

            
      
“Inmates and detainees retain a limited privacy right when detained in correctional settings, particularly in the context of cross-gender searches. Jurisdictions have approached the competing interests of privacy and cross-gender searches quite differently, finding liability for correctional
              Investigating Sexual Assaults in Correctional Facilities

            
      
Problems with the investigation of sexual assaults (inmate on inmate sexual assault and staff sexual misconduct) in correctional facilities are discussed. Sections following an executive summary are: inmate-related issues in investigating sexual violence; staff barriers to investigations
              Prison Rape Elimination Act: Implications for Sheriffs: The Facts

            
      
This brochure explains the impact of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) on jails. Topics discussed include: what PREA is; how PREA applies to jails; the purpose of PREA; what jails need to be doing; and answers to frequently asked questions.
  
      Fifty-State Confidentiality Law Survey
              Annotated Bibliography: Male Victims in Underserved Communities (2020)
              The National PREA Resource Center - Audit
              Report on Sexual Victimization in Prisons, Jails, and Juvenile Correctional Facilities (2016)
              Push to End Prison Rapes Loses Earlier Momentum (2015)
              The Prison Rape Videos: Three Out of Four Stars (2015)
              How PREA will affect corrections in 2015 (2014)
              Prison Rape Elimination Act Standards Finally in Effect, but Will They be Effective? (2013)
              The National PREA Resource Center - Posters
              The National PREA Resource Center - Library
              Accordion    PREA - Juveniles
      
      Survey of Sexual Violence in Juvenile Correctional Facilities, 2007-2012 - Statistical Tables

            
      
Accession Number
              031478

            This report presents jurisdiction- and facility-level counts of allegations and substantiated incidents of nonconsensual sexual acts, abusive sexual contact, staff sexual misconduct, and staff sexual harassment reported by juvenile correctional authorities from 2007 to 2012. Facilities include state
              Sexual Victimization Reported By Juvenile Correctional Authorities, 2007-12

            
      
Accession Number
              031477

            This report presents national estimates of non-consensual sexual acts, abusive sexual contacts, staff sexual misconduct, and staff sexual harassment reported by correctional authorities in state juvenile correctional systems and local and private juvenile correctional facilities from 2007 to 2012
              PREA Audit Instrument - Juvenile Facilities

            
      
Accession Number
              028326

            These documents comprise the instrument that auditors will use to audit the U.S. Department of Justice's PREA Standards for Juvenile Faculties.” Elements comprising this instrument are: Pre-Audit Questionnaire; Auditor Compliance Tool used to determine PREA compliance; Instructions for PREA Audit
              Safeguarding Your Sexual Safety: A PREA Orientation Video

            
      
This is an excellent presentation for youth about the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). It is intended to be used during orientation to the facility.
      
  Accession Number
              027707
              PREA Youthful Inmate Implementation

            
      
Accession Number
              027658

            This web page provides information regarding the implementation of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) “youthful inmate” standard. Youthful inmates are any incarcerated individuals under the age of 18. Links are provided to a two part webinar series regarding this implementation in three
              Implementing the Prison Rape Elimination Act: Toolkit for Juvenile Agencies and Facilities

            
      
The goal of this Toolkit is to provide juvenile agencies and facilities of all sizes, political divisions, and geographic locations with a step-by-step guide for preventing, detecting, and eliminating sexual abuse of residents in their custody - and for responding effectively to abuse when it occurs
              Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Summary of Responses from Juvenile Focus Group on Staff Sexual Misconduct and Youth on Youth Sexual Assault

            
      
Responses to thirteen questions regarding curriculum related to staff sexual misconduct with youth and youth on youth sexual assault are provided. "The objectives of the focus groups included: (1) to gather data that will inform NIC [National Institute of Corrections] in how to best develop a
              Fifty State Survey of Mandatory Reporting Statutes

            
      
Mandatory reporting state statutes regarding the sexual abuse of children are compiled and reported. Entries include (if provided) the following information: state; mandatory reporting statutes name; what has to be reported; relevant definitions; persons required to report; reporting procedures; and
  
      Standards for the Prevention, Detection, Response, and Monitoring of Sexual Abuse in Juvenile Facilities
              PREA Mandates in Juvenile Justice Facilities: Protecting the Health and Wellness of our Youngest Inmates (2015)
              How PREA affects our handling of juvenile offenders (2015)
              Standing Up to Sexual Misconduct: An Advocacy Toolkit to End the Sexual Abuse of Children in Juvenile Facilities (2015)
              As Prisons Prepare for PREA, Impact on Youthful Inmates May Be Major (2013)
              Key Differences between the PREA Standards for Adult Prisons and Jails and the PREA Standards for Juvenile Facilities (2013)
              What are some best practices related to sexual misconduct prevention, detection, and response that are not included in the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) s...
              The Prison Rape Elimination Act Standards - Comments from youth advocates on minimum staffing ratios in juvenile facilities (2012)
              Protecting Youth in the PREA National Standards - Public comments from youth advocates on proposed standards for the implementation of the National Prison Rape...
              Juvenile Standards Documentation Requirements
              Juvenile Facility Standards: United States Department of Justice Final Rule: National Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Prison Rape Under the Prison...
              Accordion    PREA - LGBTI
      
      How the Prison Rape Elimination Act Helps LGBT Immigrants in Detention

            
      
Accession Number
              028072

            “Protection from sexual abuse in immigration detention is particularly important for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, or LGBT, individuals as they are among the most vulnerable to sexual abuse in confinement. DHS [Department of Homeland Security] introduced PREA [Prison Rape Elimination Act]
              Policy Review and Development Guide: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex Persons in Custodial Settings, 2nd Edition

            
      
"In the first edition of this guide, we aimed to reach out to correctional agencies in order to help them identify, address, and respond to abuse of LGBTI individuals through agency policies and procedures. We hoped to deepen the dialogue between staff and administrators as well as community leaders
              Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Toolkit - End the Abuse: Protecting LGBTI Prisoners from Sexual Assault

            
      
“A prison or jail sentence should never include sexual assault. On May 17, 2012, the Department of Justice released the final federal regulations implementing the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). These regulations apply to federal, state and local correctional facilities and lock-ups and include
  
      NIC - LGBTI Policy Review and Development Guide: Chapter 3. LGBTI Adults under Custodial Supervision
              LGBT People and the Prison Rape Elimination Act (2012)
              Promoting Prison Rape: Shortsighted Policies Put Trans Prisoners at Risk of Sexual Assault (2016)
              Accordion    PREA - Special Populations
      
      Making PREA and victim services accessible for incarcerated people with disabilities: An implementation guide for practitioners on the adult and juvenile standards

            
      
The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) sets standards to ensure that information about PREA and victim services are accessible to people with disabilities. The purpose of this guide is to provide strategies to correctional agencies that will aid their compliance with these PREA requirements. The
              Accordion    Policy, Procedures & Audits
      
      6 CFR Part 115: Standards To Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Sexual Abuse and Assault in Confinement Facilities; Final Rule

            
      
“The purpose of this regulatory action is to set standards to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual abuse in Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confinement facilities. Sexual violence, against any victim, is an assault on human dignity and an affront to American values” (p. 13100).Provisions of
              The Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003: The Impact of National PREA Standards on Community Corrections

            
      
Wondering how the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) impacts the management of offenders in the community? Then this is the resource for you. This handbook aims to educate community corrections staff on: why community correctional staff and administrators need to be concerned about sexual abuse of
              PREA Statewide Probation and Parole Direction

            
      
"This paper is the initial product of the work group [of six state directors of probation and parole] and summarizes its deliberations and findings" (p. 3). Sections of this document include: background; preamble; what PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) is and what it requires; what PREA requires of
              Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA): Considerations for Policy Review

            
      
A policy review guide designed to assist in drafting PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) policies for review by the National Institute of Corrections is provided. Sections of this document are: purpose; questions to consider -- policy organization, definitions, zero tolerance, staff/offender duty to
  
      The National PREA Resource Center - Prisons and Jail Standards
              The National PREA Resource Center - Audit
              Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003
              Enforcing Prison Rape Elimination Standards Proves Tricky
              Hawaii - Department of Public Safety - Health Care PREA Compliance & Sexual/Physical Abuse Procedure
              Prison Rape Elimination Act Auditors: Information and Resources (2021)
              Victims’ Rights Law by State (2013)
              Power Point - PREA Audit Instrument Introduction June 13, 2013
              National Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Prison Rape (2012)
              National Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Prison Rape Executive Summary (2012)
              PREA Regulatory Impact Assessment (2012)
              New Hampshire DHHS- Prison Rape Elimination Act Procedures
              Virginia DOC - Prison Elimination Act (PREA - 030)
              BJA - State PREA Submissions
              Accordion    Resources
      
      Price
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National PREA Resource Center

            
      
Accession Number
              029875

            "The PRC’s aim is to provide assistance to those responsible for state and local adult prisons and jails, juvenile facilities, community corrections, lockups, tribal organizations, and inmates and their families in their efforts to eliminate sexual abuse in confinement. The PRC serves as a central

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              Price
              $0.00

Correctional Internal Affairs Investigators Job Analysis

            
      
A job profile for an Internal Affairs Investigator in state operated adult correctional facilities is provided. This report contains these sections: executive summary; introduction; overview of the DACUM job analysis; DACUM job analysis results for Correctional Internal Affairs Investigators; top

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      Just Detention International: PREA Tools
              Just Detention International: PREA Publications
              Just Detention International: Webinars
              American Correctional Association (ACA) Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)
              The National PREA Resource Center - Request for Assistance
              Accordion    Training
      
      National Institute of Corrections' Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Training Courses

            
      
Accession Number
              032783

            NIC offers the PREA courses at the NIC Learn Center here: https://learn.nicic.gov

The Learn Center is a full LMS, Learning Management System that will allow individuals to: create an account; start, stop a course and return to where they left off; and create and print a certificate upon successful
              Specialized Training: Investigating Sexual Abuse in Confinement Settings

            
      
This training program “is designed to address the requirements outlined in the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standard 115.34/.134/.234/.334 requiring specialized training for individuals tasked with investigating alleged incidents of sexual abuse in confinement settings. Additionally, this
              Specialized Training: PREA Medical and Mental Care Standards

            
      
Accession Number
              028055

            “The intent of the curriculum is to provide prisons, jails, community confinement, and juvenile detention facilities with specialized training for medical and mental health personnel on specific aspects of Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). Specifically, this curriculum provides training on how to
              PREA: What You Need to Know

            
      
Accession Number
              027957

            This resource is a must have for your agency! “The core goal of PREA: What You Need to Know is to teach inmates about their right to be free from sexual abuse and sexual harassment. The video gives an overview of corrections policies to prevent and respond to this abuse, covering how inmates can
              Price
              $0.00

Curriculum: Investigating Allegations of Staff Sexual Misconduct with Offenders: Facilitator's Guide [Lesson Plans]

            
      
“Investigating Allegations of Staff Sexual Misconduct with Offenders is a 36-hour educational program that addresses the complex issues in investigations of staff on offender sexual abuse in correctional settings ...

The objectives of the training are to ensure that participants are able to: 1

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              Implementing the Prison Rape Elimination Act: Toolkit for Jails

            
      
UPDATED 11/26/13: Minor edits. “The goal of this Toolkit is to provide jails of all sizes, political divisions, and geographic locations with a step-by-step guide for preventing, detecting, and eliminating sexual abuse of inmates in their custody - and for responding effectively to abuse when it
              Implementing the Prison Rape Elimination Act: Toolkit for Juvenile Agencies and Facilities

            
      
The goal of this Toolkit is to provide juvenile agencies and facilities of all sizes, political divisions, and geographic locations with a step-by-step guide for preventing, detecting, and eliminating sexual abuse of residents in their custody - and for responding effectively to abuse when it occurs
              Investigating Allegations of Staff Sexual Misconduct with Inmates [Lesson Plans]

            
      
A curriculum to address the needs of those who investigate allegations of staff sexual misconduct is presented. The following sections are contained in this manual: defining staff sexual misconduct and an overview of the national scope; legal considerations; institutional culture and staff/inmate
  
      National PREA Resource Center - Power Hour: Archived Webinars
              Standing Up to Sexual Misconduct: An Advocacy Toolkit to End the Sexual Abuse of Children in Juvenile Facilities (2015)
              PREA - Spanish Video with Subtitles
              PREA - Inmate Education Video in Spanish
              PREA - Inmate Education Video in English
              The National PREA Resource Center - Training & Technical Assistance
              Accordion    Statistics
      
      Survey of Sexual Violence in Adult Correctional Facilities, 2009-11 - Statistical Tables

            
      
These statistical tables present “jurisdiction- and facility-level counts of allegations and substantiated incidents of nonconsensual sexual acts, abusive sexual contacts, staff sexual misconduct, and staff sexual harassment reported by correctional authorities in adult prisons, jails, and other
              PREA Data Collection Activities, 2014

            
      
"During 2013 and the first 4 months of 2014, BJS issued four reports: In May 2013, BJS published estimates of sexual victimization based on reports by inmates in adult prisons and jails; in June 2013, BJS published estimates of sexual victimization based on reports of youth held in juvenile
  
      Prison Rape Elimination Act (Sexual Victimization In Correctional Facilities)
              PREA Data Collection Activities, 2016

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