National Prison Rape Elimination Commission Report

• NCJ Number: 226680
• Date Published: June 2009
• Length: 276 pages
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)

Annotation

This report of the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission discusses the scope and seriousness of the problems related to sexual assault in correctional institutions, ways of solving these problems, and what is at stake.

Abstract

The report discusses the Commission's nine findings on the problems of sexual abuse in correctional facilities and policies and practices that should be mandatory in all facilities in order to address these problems. Recommendations are offered regarding what government leaders outside the corrections profession can do to support solutions. One finding is that protecting inmates from sexual abuse continues to be a challenge, in that men, women, and children are being raped or sexually abused by other inmates and corrections staff. A second finding is that leadership is critical in creating a culture within facilities that promotes safety rather than tolerates sexual abuse. A third finding is that certain individuals are more at risk for sexual abuse than others. Corrections administrators must routinely identify these persons at risk and protect them without isolating them or denying them access to rehabilitative programming. A fourth finding is that correctional facilities generally lack the kind of rigorous internal monitoring and external oversight needed to determine why sexual abuse occurs in the facility and how to prevent it. A fifth finding is that reporting procedures must be improved to provide protection from retaliation without isolating the reporter. Other findings are that victims are unlikely to receive the treatment and support needed to minimize the trauma of abuse; confined juveniles are more likely than adult inmates to be sexually abused, particularly when confined with adults; offenders under correctional supervision in the community are also at risk of sexual abuse, which jeopardizes their successful reentry; and detained immigrants are at heightened risk for sexual abuse. 7 appendixes that include national standards, recommendations, standards implementation, needs assessment, and initiatives of the Federal Prison Rape Elimination Act