Twenty Years Since PREA: Preliminary Findings on Supporting Incarcerated Survivors of Sexual Violence

• In Event: Issues Related to Victimization in Correctional Settings

Abstract

Sexual violence is a significant problem in correctional facilities across the United States. While Congress passed the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) in 2003, implementation has been slow, and many incarcerated people face barriers to reporting victimization and receiving emotional support to achieve healing and justice. The Urban Institute’s Justice and Safety Division was funded by the Office on Violence Against Women to conduct rigorous secondary data analyses to build, translate, and disseminate research knowledge on promising practices to address sexual violence in carceral settings. This paper presents preliminary findings from the analysis of two mixed methods datasets collected through DOJ-funded, Urban-led projects. Together, these databases gather perspectives from over 600 respondents and 11 distinct data sources, including interviews, focus groups, and surveys. Findings draw on the voices of victim service providers, incarcerated people, PREA auditors, and correctional leaders and staff from nearly all 50 states and the District of Columbia. This paper discusses preliminary findings on PREA implementation, including strengths and challenges; promising practices to increase safe access to reporting, justice and healing; compliance and reporting variations; and PREA practices that advance equity for overlooked incarcerated survivor populations.

Authors

• Paige Remington, Urban Institute

• Mary Hayford, Urban Institute

• Evelyn F. McCoy, Urban Institute

• Storm Ervin, The Urban Institute

• Breanna Boppre, Urban Institute, Justice and Safety Division