About the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003

Congress enacted the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA)[1] to address the problem of sexual abuse of persons in the custody of U.S. correctional agencies. PREA calls for Federal, State, and local corrections systems to have a zero-tolerance policy regarding prison rape (as defined by PREA) in prisons, jails, police lock-ups, and other confinement facilities.

Highlights of PREA include:

• Requires development of standards for detection, prevention, reduction, and punishment of prison rape.
• Standardizes collection and dissemination of information on the incidence of prison rape.
• Awards grants to help State and local governments implement the Act's provisions.

The Act applies to all public and private institutions that house adult or juvenile offenders and to community-based correctional agencies.