Preventing and Addressing Sexual Abuse in Tribal Detention Facilities: The Impact of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)

“The National Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Standards were released in 2012 to provide comprehensive guidance on the prevention, detection, and response to sexual abuse and violence within confinement settings across the country. Although the National PREA Standards do not specifically extend to tribal detention facilities, all confinement facilities, regardless of their obligations under PREA, are being held to a higher legal standard for the prevention of and response to sexual abuse and could potentially face increased civil penalties if they fail to do so. Further, enhancing the safety and security of facilities and inmates is a core mission for all corrections professionals, which includes protection against and prevention of sexual abuse. “Therefore, the National PREA Resource Center, in partnership with the American Probation and Parole Association, has produced the Preventing and Addressing Sexual Abuse in Tribal Detention Facilities: The Impact of the Prison Rape Elimination Act training curriculum to improve the capacity of tribal detention officers to adequately prevent and respond to incidents of sexual abuse within detention facilities in Indian Country. “The curriculum is designed specifically for tribal detention staff and affiliated organizations that interact with tribal detention facilities. Curriculum Modules and Training Materials: Instructors Manual; Presentation: Impact of PREA; [and Participant Guide. “The curriculum contains five modules and is intended to be delivered over the course of seven hours, not including breaks and lunch. The five modules are: Defining the Issue and Understanding PREA; Dynamics of Sexual Abuse, Violence, and Misconduct; Investigations and Legal Concerns; Review of PREA Standards; [and] Putting Into Practice What We Know.”