Prison Rape

Abstract

Abstract Scholarly research over the past several decades has produced mixed results concerning rates of rape and/or sexual assaults occurring in prison. Over time, data collection methods became more refined, leading to more valid and reliable estimates of sexual victimization. Further, victim demographic characteristics have varied, specifically on how gender, mental illness, and sexual orientation have influenced a prisoners' risk for sexual victimization. In contrast, this theme of varying characteristics cannot be said to apply to perpetrators, who encompass both other inmates and staff persons and have remained constant throughout the prison rape literature. Contextually, correctional institutions have cultivated the prevalence of sexual assaults inasmuch as their social environment via levels of security and other socio‐ecological factors has influenced sexual victimization. To prevent sexual assaults in correctional facilities, the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) was enacted in the United States in 2003. As a result, methodologies for data collection were enhanced, funding opportunities were also created to support scientific research, and correctional facilities and communities were supplied with the appropriate means to assist in the prevention of sexual assaults.