The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) includes 43 standards specifically for adult facilities.
Understanding the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)
The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), enacted in 2003, is a landmark federal law dedicated to eliminating sexual abuse in all U.S. confinement facilities. It establishes a national standard for the detection, prevention, and response to sexual abuse in correctional and detention settings. This includes prisons, jails, juvenile facilities, immigration detention centers, and community correctional facilities.
For adult facilities, PREA mandates adherence to 43 comprehensive standards. These standards are meticulously designed to create a safer environment for individuals in custody and address the serious issue of sexual victimization effectively. Compliance with these standards is routinely assessed through external audits to ensure facilities are meeting the requirements for the safety and well-being of those in confinement.
The Core Goals of PREA Standards
The 43 PREA standards work cohesively to achieve three clear and fundamental objectives regarding sexual safety within confinement settings:
| Goal | Description | Key Aspects and Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Prevent | To implement strategies and policies aimed at stopping sexual abuse from occurring in the first place. | Staff screening, comprehensive training programs, effective supervision protocols, facility design considerations, policy enforcement. |
| Detect | To establish clear, accessible, and confidential mechanisms for identifying instances of sexual abuse if they do occur. | Anonymous reporting systems, victim hotlines, third-party reporting options, regular facility monitoring, staff vigilance. |
| Respond | To ensure a prompt, appropriate, and compassionate reaction to reported incidents of sexual abuse, including investigations and support. | Immediate intervention, thorough and impartial investigations, disciplinary actions against perpetrators, victim support services (medical, mental health, advocacy). |
These standards apply across a diverse range of correctional environments, aiming to protect all individuals held in confinement.
For more in-depth information about the Prison Rape Elimination Act, you can visit the National PREA Resource Center.
