Preventing and Addressing Sexual Abuse in Tribal Detention Facilities

• NCJ Number: 236500
• Author(s): Carrie Abner
• Date Published: October 2011
• Length: 20 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2006-RP-BX-K001
• Agencies: BJA-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)

Annotation

This report addresses sexual abuse prevention in tribal detention facilities.

Abstract

This report explains how tribal detention staff can build on existing efforts to protect the safety of inmates and facilities through the enhancement of policies and procedures for the prevention of and responses to sexual abuse. It provides information to tribal detention professionals, as well as tribal leaders, on the key policy and practice issues for the prevention, reduction, detection, and punishment of sexual abuse perpetrated on those under correctional supervision in Indian, Country, including juvenile detention facilities, police lock-ups, and jails. The U.S. Congress passed the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) of 2003, which supports the elimination, reduction, and prevention of sexual assault, including abuse by correctional staff and by inmates, in Federal, State, and local prisons; jails, lock-ups; private facilities; and community residential facilities. Primary to PREA is the establishment of a zero tolerance standard for the incident of sexual assault in corrections settings. Suggestions are provided to help guide tribal detention facilities and professionals in improving their capacity to properly prevent and respond to sexual violence. Additionally, key resources are highlighted that have been designed to assist tribal detention professionals on how to address this issue. Figures, references, and a list of suggested readings