National Prison Rape Elimination Commission

The Commission is a bipartisan panel created by Congress as part of the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003. The Commission is charged with studying federal, state and local government policies and practices related to the prevention, detection, response and monitoring of sexual abuse in correction and detention facilities in the United States. Consistent with the Act, the Commission’s recommendations will be designed to make the prevention of rape a top priority in America’s jails, prisons, lockups, juvenile facilities, and other detention facilities

In enacting PREA, Congress recognized the seriousness and breadth of the problem of prison rape. Not only does the significant incidence of prison rape and other sexual assault involve crimes, constitutional violations, and human rights violations; it also undermines the effectiveness and efficiency of government and expenditures through grant programs such as those dealing with health care; mental health care; disease prevention; crime prevention, investigation, and prosecution; prison construction, maintenance, and operation; race relations; poverty; unemployment; and homelessness.

Since its creation, the Commission has undertaken a comprehensive legal and factual study of the penalogical, physical, mental, medical, social and economic impacts of prison sexual assaults on federal, state and local government functions and on the communities and social institutions in which they operate.

Upon completion of its study, the Commission will report its findings, conclusions and recommendations to the President, Congress, the U.S. Attorney General and other federal and state officials. As a key component of its report, the panel will include recommended zero-tolerance standards for enhancing the prevention, detection, response and monitoring of prison sexual abuse.