PREA was enacted with the guiding principle, "rape is not part of the punishment." Enacted in 2003 with strong bipartisan support under President George W. Bush, the final standards passed in 2012. The federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) established a “zero-tolerance” policy for sexual assault and rape in correctional facilities. 

The PREA standards require correctional facilities to attempt to provide victim-inmates with services and support from rape crisis centers. You can view the standards most relevant to advocates below, and access links to the full PREA statute and other related legal documents. You can find other useful information and training tools by visiting The PREA Resource Center.

Key PREA Standards for Victim Advocates

• 115.21: Evidence protocol and forensic medical examinations: Agencies must facilitate inmate accompaniment by a victim advocate, where possible. Standard 115.21 

• 115.53: Inmate access to outside confidential services: Agencies must attempt to enter into MOUs with outside victim advocates; provide inmates with phone and mail access to a rape crisis center and/or other victim advocates. Standard 115.53 

Other Relevant PREA Standards

• 115.51: Inmate reporting: Inmates must have multiple internal ways to report sexual abuse or sexual harassment and at least one option to report externally to a public or private entity or office not affiliated to the correctional agency. Standard 115.51

• 115.82 Access to emergency medical and mental health services: Agencies must provide timely, unimpeded access to crisis intervention services. Standard 115.82

• 115.83 Ongoing medical and mental health care for sexual abuse victims and abusers: Agencies must provide victimized inmates follow-up services, treatment plans, and referrals for continued care. Standard 115.83

Additional links:

• PREA statute (2003)

• DOJ PREA Final Rule

• DOJ PREA Prisons and Jail Standards

• The National Institute of Corrections: Implementing PREA – A Toolkit for Jails