The Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA) (P.L. 108-79) requires the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) to carry out, for each calendar year, a comprehensive statistical review and analysis of the incidence and effects of prison rape. The Act further specifies that the review and analysis shall be based on a random sample, or other scientifically appropriate sample of not less than 10 percent of all Federal, State, and county prisons, and a representative sample of municipal prisons. Nearly 8,700 facilities nationwide are covered by the Act. BJS has developed a multiple-measure, multiple-mode data collection strategy to fully implement requirements under PREA.
Results of data collection activities during 2008 and 2009:
- The Survey on Sexual Violence (SSV) in Correctional Facilities collects data annually on the incidence of sexual violence in adult and juvenile correctional facilities. Results for the 2007 survey for adults are expected to be released in August 2009. Detailed information on substantiated incidents for juveniles collected in 2007 and 2008 will be combined and issued in a separate report.
- The National Inmate Survey (NIS) gathers data directly from inmates on the incidence of sexual assault in correctional facilities. In October 2009 BJS expects to release the report entitled Sexual Victimization in State and Federal Prisons as Reported by Inmates, 2008, which will provide prison rankings as required under the Act. Jail rankings are expected to be released by March 2010.
- The Former Prisoner Survey (FPS) provides national estimates of the incidence of sexual victimization based on reports of former state prison inmates. Results are expected to be released by January 2010.
- The National Survey of Youth in Custody (NSYC) provides facility-level estimates of youth reporting sexual victimization in juvenile facilities. Facility rankings are expected to be released in a report by December 2009.
See PDF for additional findings.