Examining PREA standards in DOC handbooks: Assessing findability, readability, and content

• In Event: Prison Standards, Rules, and Practices

Abstract

The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) was signed into law in 2003 to aid the prevention of sexual assault and harassment in prison through a zero-tolerance approach. While all states have addressed PREA in some measure, the nature of the informational content provided has not been examined rendering inmate’s comprehension, awareness, and understanding of PREA unknown. To appropriately communicate the needed information to inmates, three criteria must be met: findability, readability, and informative content. A qualitative examination of PREA content in inmate handbooks from 49/50 states was conducted using MAXQDA. Coding emphasized the 40 standards recommended by the National Prison Rape Elimination Committee (NPREC) across four main areas (Prevention and Response Planning, Prevention, Detection and Response, and Monitoring). Results indicate significant gaps/omissions in critical content areas. Recommendations for best practice in PREA messaging related to both content and readability are provided.

Authors

• Jessie Krienert, Illinois State University

• Jeffrey A. Walsh, Illinois State University