About the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003
Congress enacted the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA)[1] to address the problem of sexual abuse of persons in the custody of U.S. correctional agencies. PREA calls for Federal, State, and local corrections systems to have a zero-tolerance policy regarding prison rape (as defined by PREA) in prisons, jails, police lock-ups, and other confinement facilities.
Highlights of PREA include:
- Requires development of standards for detection, prevention, reduction, and punishment of prison rape.
- Standardizes collection and dissemination of information on the incidence of prison rape.
- Awards grants to help State and local governments implement the Act's provisions.
The Act applies to all public and private institutions that house adult or juvenile offenders and to community-based correctional agencies.
The Office of Justice Programs sponsors a PREA Web page with links to resources.
Note
[1] Content on this page was excerpted from the National Institute of Corrections Online Clearinghouse on PREA, (accessed December 21, 2006). See PREA, Public Law 108–79, Sept. 4, 2003 (pdf) .