The Prison Rape Elimination Act: Preventing and Responding to Sexual Abuse in Correctional Settings
The National Institute of Corrections (NIC), part of the U.S. Department of Justice, plays a key role in helping federal, state, tribal, and local correctional agencies prevent and respond to sexual abuse in correctional settings. This work is guided by a federal law, the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), passed by Congress in 2003. One important part of this law, found in 42 U.S. Code § 15605, requires NIC to:
- Share information and offer support to correctional agencies on how to prevent, investigate, and respond to sexual abuse in prisons, jails, and other confinement settings.
- Provide training and education to help correctional staff learn how to prevent and properly respond to sexual abuse.
- Report to Congress every year on what the Department of Justice is doing to stop sexual abuse in correctional facilities.
What NIC Is Doing Now
To stay current with federal policies and presidential executive orders, NIC is updating its PREA training and resources. A dedicated team is reviewing and improving several key online courses (e-courses) that are available through the Learn Center.
Here are the courses being updated:
🔹 Your Role in Responding to Sexual Abuse
NIC ID: 22ECCS3002
Estimated Time: 2 hours
This course helps staff understand how to respond if they witness or learn about sexual abuse in a correctional facility. It covers who may be most vulnerable, what PREA requires, and how to report and respond properly.
🔹 Medical Health Care for Sexual Assault Victims in Confinement
NIC ID: 19ECCS2339
Estimated Time: 3 hours
This training is for medical professionals who provide care to people who have experienced sexual abuse in custody. It focuses on PREA standards for health care in these situations.
🔹 Behavioral Health Care for Sexual Assault Victims in Confinement
NIC ID: 21ECCS2809
Estimated Time: 3 hours
This course is designed for behavioral health professionals. It explains how to support victims of sexual abuse in confinement while following PREA guidelines.
🔹 Investigating Sexual Abuse in a Confinement Setting
NIC ID: 19ECCS2338
Estimated Time: 3 hours
This course is for investigators who need to understand how to handle sexual abuse cases in prisons and jails. Participants must first complete the "PREA 101 for Investigators" course.
Related Law
Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003
- Public Law 108-79
- 42 U.S.C. § 15601–15609
- See especially 42 U.S.C. § 15605, which outlines NIC’s responsibilities to support prison rape prevention and response efforts.
