Sexual Abuse in Correctional Facilities

Abstract

This review provides an overview of sexual abuse in correctional facilities, including victimization rates, reporting rates, common victims and offenders, and prevention efforts RECENT FINDINGS: There is disagreement about the cause of rape and sexual assault among men and women who are incarcerated. Some explanations argue that it is a manifestation of power and control while others argue it is a result of deprivation. Research has not isolated one specific explanation. Women tend to be victimized by correctional officers and people who are transgender are often victimized by other incarcerated people. Prevention efforts have been ineffective even through prisons are required, by law, to implement principles from the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Correctional facility sexual abuse is rampant and often goes unreported. Incarcerated individuals who are victimized are often fearful of retaliation, not being believed, and embarrassed. When they do report, however, very few incidents are substantiated. Prevention efforts are lackluster and do not adequately prevent rape and sexual assault inside correctional facilities.

Keywords: Prison rape; Prison rape elimination act; Prison sexual abuse; Prison sexual abuse prevention; Transgender inmates.