NCJ Number
205015
Journal
Sheriff Volume: 56 Issue: 2 Dated: March-April 2004 Pages: 58-59
Editor(s)
Mike Terault
Date Published
March 2004
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This article explains the various provisions of the Federal Prison Rape Reduction Act (PRRA), which was enacted by Congress on September 4, 2003.
Abstract
The Act requires that the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) conduct an annual, comprehensive statistical review and analysis of the incidence and effects of prison rape. BJS has already drafted a survey form that is similar to the in-custody death form. BJS held a workshop in December 2003 to discuss how the survey is to be conducted. After surveys have been completed, the results will be forwarded to the Review Panel on Prison Rape, which will conduct public hearings annually on the operation of the three facilities in each category with the highest reported incidence rate of prison rape, as well as the operation of the two facilities in each category with the lowest incidence rate of inmate rape. The hearings are intended to identify the factors that cause and prevent prison rape. The PRRA has also set aside $5 million for the National Institute of Corrections in the establishment of a clearinghouse for information and assistance to authorities responsible for the prevention, investigation, and punishment of prison rape. Grants offered under PRRA are for personnel, training, technical assistance, data collection, and equipment required to prevent and prosecute prison rape. Further, the Act mandates the creation of a nine-member National Prison Rape Reduction Commission, which will conduct a comprehensive legal and factual study of all aspects of prison rape; at the end of its 2-year life span, the commission will issue a report on its findings. This report will be the basis for recommendations to the Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding the adoption or revision of national standards for enhancing the detection, prevention, reduction, and punishment of prison rape. The PRRA requires that accreditation organizations adopt standards for the detection, prevention, reduction, and punishment of prison rape within 90 days of their enactment at the Federal level in order to receive any new Federal grants.