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NJC Offers New Resources to Aid Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003

12/19/2007

The National Judicial College (NJC), under a grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), has published two new resources entitled What Judges Need to Know About Prison Rape: The Prison Rape Elimination Act and The Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003: Curriculum for Judges.

The first resource is a CD-ROM curriculum that may be played on any computer that provides judges with an introductory overview of the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA). The second resource is a model curriculum also designed as an introductory overview of PREA. The NJC developed this curriculum to be presented in a one- to three-hour period. The purpose of both resources is that judges will be able to identify the critical provisions of PREA; manage PREA cases effectively and efficiently; apply evidentiary rules in PREA cases; and sentence offenders considering victim’s rights, reentry, community safety, and other significant concerns.

“We are excited to offer these innovative and knowledgeable resources to judges and attorneys to assist them in understanding the seriousness of prison rape and the steps that can be taken to eliminate it,” explained Robin Wosje, NJC chief academic officer.
The BJA grant enabled the NJC to collaborate with the American Prosecutors Research Institute/National District Attorneys Association to raise awareness among judges and prosecutors of prison rape, provide education on this widespread problem and provide guidance on the handling of prison rape cases.

The two CD-ROMs are in one-hour self-study formats – one for prosecutors and one for judges. The second part contains two model curricula to accompany the CD-ROMs and form the basis for the workshops designed for delivery at state and local training venues.
The prosecutors’ curriculum addresses the role of prosecutors in (1) holding offenders accountable; (2) the appropriate interventions for victims; and (3) working with the community to facilitate the reentry of victims and offenders. The judges’ curriculum focuses on the role of judges in (1) ensuring the handling and management of cases involving prison rape; (2) ensuring the offender is brought to justice; and (3) facilitating reentry of victims and offenders into the community.

The problem of prison rape received national attention when Congress enacted PREA in 2003. As part of that legislation, Congress found that 2,100,146 persons were incarcerated in the United States at the end of 2001. Perhaps most shocking was Congress’ finding that more than 1,000,000 inmates had been sexually assaulted in the 20 years preceding enactment of the PREA. Inmates with mental illness and youthful first offenders are at increased risk of sexual victimization.

Prison rape impacts the safety of our communities because each year, 600,000 inmates are released to their communities. Victims of prison rape suffer severe physical and psychological effects that hinder their ability to integrate into their communities and maintain stable employment upon release from prison, including infection with HIV/AIDS. Additionally, prison rape increases the level of homicides and other violence against inmates and staff.

For more information or if you would like to receive a copy of any of these products, please email Kelly Unger or fax 775-784-1253 with the following: Name, Organization, Address, Telephone number, E-mail address, How many you would like, Brief description [25 words or less] why you are interested in this project.