NCJ Number
219847
Journal
Corrections Today Magazine Volume: 69 Issue: 4 Dated: August 2007 Pages: 44-47,70
Date Published
August 2007
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the implications of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) of 2003 for women and girls in correctional facilities and other residential custody settings.
Abstract
PREA has established a zero-tolerance policy toward sexual violence and abuse among offenders as well as between staff and offenders. While the predominant concern among activists and law makers in establishing the law was on violent male-on-male rape occurring in prison and jail settings, PREA has significant implications for women and girls in correctional settings. In fact, the language concerning staff and offender sexual misconduct was added to the legislation late, and it was mainly due to widespread reports of staff sexual abuse of female inmates. While PREA does little to explicitly cover women under community supervision, it has raised awareness of the problem of the sexual exploitation of female offenders. Moreover, PREA has raised awareness about the various pathways of women and girls into correctional settings--pathways that are typically marked by violence, abuse, and substance misuse. In order to implement PREA in women’s correctional settings, staff must be aware that female offenders have typically suffered from abuse and substance abuse problems. Moreover, staff must be trained in effective communication skills in working with women and girls, they must put in place operational practices that are gender-sensitive and meet the goals of safety and security, and they must be aware of community resources that work with victims of sexual assault. In short, understanding the pathways to offending for women and girls will help staff implement a gender-responsive approach to PREA. Endnotes