PREA

The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) was passed unanimously by both parties in Congress in 2003. The purpose of the act is to “provide for the analysis of the incidence and effects of prison rape in federal, state, and local institutions and to provide information, resources, recommendations and funding to protect individuals from prison rape.” (Prison Rape Elimination Act, 2003.)

The act also created the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission and charged it with drafting standards for eliminating prison rape. The Department of Justice published the final PREA Standards and they became effective in 2012.

For additional information, contact PREA Advocate Coordinator, Melanie Barton mbarton@mscasa.org.