PREA
PREA stands for the Prison Rape Elimination Act, a federal law enacted in 2003 that established national standards to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual abuse in correctional facilities. PREA affects how facilities handle reports of abuse and requires staff training and audits. Inmates have the right to report PREA violations confidentially. Families can reference PREA when an incarcerated loved one reports sexual abuse at a facility.
What Is PREA?
PREA established the first national standards addressing sexual abuse in prisons, jails, and other confinement settings. The law created the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission and required the Department of Justice to develop and publish standards for correctional facilities.
If an incarcerated person experiences sexual abuse, they have the right to report it through PREA channels at the facility. Reports can also be made to the facility's PREA coordinator, the DOC, or the Department of Justice. Families can contact advocacy organizations for guidance on supporting a loved one through a PREA report.
Related Terms
Explore other glossary terms that are closely connected to this topic.
Case Manager
A case manager is a correctional staff member assigned to each inmate who is responsible for managing their programming, classification, correspondence, and release planning.
Facility TypesSHU
SHU stands for Special Housing Unit, which is a segregated area of a correctional facility where inmates are held separately from the general population for disciplinary reasons or for their own protection.
Facility TypesGeneral Population
General population refers to the main housing area of a correctional facility where inmates live and follow the standard daily schedule including meals, recreation, work, and programming.
People Also Ask
Related questions families often search for alongside this topic.
What is Case Manager?
A case manager is a correctional staff member assigned to each inmate who is responsible for managing their programming, classification, correspondence, and release planning.
Read full definitionWhat is SHU?
SHU stands for Special Housing Unit, which is a segregated area of a correctional facility where inmates are held separately from the general population for disciplinary reasons or for their own protection.
Read full definitionWhat is General Population?
General population refers to the main housing area of a correctional facility where inmates live and follow the standard daily schedule including meals, recreation, work, and programming.
Read full definitionReady to Get Started?
Now that you understand PREA, explore the provider directory, compare your options, or browse all facilities to find the right fit for your situation.