Congress established NPREC in 2003 as part of the Prison Rape Elimination Act. During the 20 years prior to enacting this legislation, it estimated that more than 1 million people had been sexually assaulted while incarcerated.

Vera staff provided technical assistance to help the commission develop its standards, which were submitted for public comment in 2008. The commission will incorporate public feedback into a final version of the standards and present them to the President, Congress, and the U.S. Attorney General, along with a final report and recommendations.

Why Work on Prison Rape?

People who have been raped in prison often suffer long-lasting physical and psychological symptoms that hinder their ability to function. Moreover, lawsuits for the criminal and medical repercussions of such incidents constitute a substantial drain of government resources. As a first step, the commission conducted a thorough study of the way prison sexual assaults affect federal, state, and local governments, and society at large. The standards, shaped by these findings, seek to create policies to address this issue.

For more information about the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission, visit www.nprec.us.