EVALUATING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT (PREA): A "LESSONS LEARNED" APPROACH

Area of Science:

• Criminology
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Sexual violence in correctional facilities remains a significant concern.
• The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) aims to reduce sexual violence in prisons.
• Limited research exists on the practical implementation and lessons learned from PREA within prison systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the expertise, experience, and reflections on PREA implementation.
• To analyze the impact of the PREA Demonstration Project on a state prison system.
• To identify key challenges and successes during PREA implementation.

Main Methods:

• A "lessons learned" approach was utilized.
• The study focused on a state prison system comprising 19 correctional institutions.
• Perceptions of correctional administrators, inmates, and officers were compared.

Main Results:

• Merging philosophical orientations of stakeholders proved beneficial.
• Establishing clear benchmarks and fostering partnerships with prosecutors were identified as crucial.
• Implementation challenges included building trust and managing lockdowns due to staff shortages.

Conclusions:

• Successful PREA implementation requires collaborative stakeholder engagement and strategic partnerships.
• Addressing staff shortages is vital for maintaining program continuity and safety.
• The study provides valuable insights for future correctional policy and practice regarding sexual violence prevention.