This Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) In Focus brief details OJJDP work with states and territories to ensure their compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) and to protect youth in juvenile facilities.
Enacted in 2003, PREA calls for federal resources, funding, and recommendations to address prison rape in federal, state, and local institutions. The Act also requires correctional facilities to analyze the incidence of prison rape to prevent, detect, and respond to the issue. To further protect youth, the PREA Juvenile Facility Standards outline steps to prevent sexual harassment and abuse in juvenile facilities. The standards also provide details about services for victims, investigation procedures, staff training, and auditing compliance. This OJJDP In Focus fact sheet details programs and funding to support PREA-related compliance efforts.