NCJ Number
220916
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 69 Issue: 5 Dated: October 2007 Pages: 76-79
Date Published
October 2007
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article examines the features of effective health care for victims of prison sexual assaults under the requirements of the Federal Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA), which charts a course for identifying, preventing, prosecuting, and responding to prison sexual violence in all correctional custodial institutions.
Abstract
In discussing the victims of inmate sexual violence, the article notes research findings on the characteristics of inmates who are at increased risk for being sexually assaulted. These include new and young inmates; those with mental, physical, and developmental disabilities; gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered inmates; and those previously sexually victimized while incarcerated. Developing ways to reduce the risk of sexual assault for these vulnerable inmates is a challenge for corrections managers. Corrections health care professionals are also responsible for responding appropriately to the needs of those inmates who have been sexually assaulted. In addition to providing appropriate physical and mental health services to the victims, health care workers must also properly and legally collect forensic medical evidence relevant to a criminal investigation. This article discusses the distinctive impact of sexual assaults on female inmates, male inmates, and juvenile inmates. The article also describes innovations in health care strategies for addressing inmate sexual assault. These include formalized medical and mental health procedures, the use of sexual assault response teams, forensic evidence collection procedures, collaboration with agencies outside the facility, and peer education. The article provides a chart that shows the PREA program model for addressing prison sexual assaults. The model addresses inmate training and orientation, environmental safety, staff training, public education, short-term treatment, long-term treatment, crisis services, administrative policies, data collection and analysis, investigation, victim services, victim protection, and disciplinary actions. 1 figure and 17 notes