[Editors note: The National Prison Rape Elimination Commission report is
avaialbe on the web link http://www.nprec.us/]

UNITED STATES: "Panel Sets Guidelines for Fighting Prison Rape"
Washington Post 06.23.09: Carrie Johnson

The National Prison Rape Elimination Commission on Tuesday released its report
on preventing sexual assault behind bars, which includes a set of
recommendations for state corrections officials. Panel members are preparing to
send the report to Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr., who will have one year
to formulate national, non-binding guidelines.

According to the report, prison rape can have deleterious effects on public
health, crime rates, and successful re-entry of inmates into society. "If you
have a zero-tolerance policy on prison rape and it is known from the highest
ranks that this will not be tolerated and there will be consequences for it,
that goes a long way in sending a message," said US District Judge Reggie B.
Walton, who led the commission.

The report recommends that corrections officers identify vulnerable inmates,
offer better medical care, and allow stricter oversight of their facilities. In
addition, staff members should be given thorough background checks and trained
to ensure victims of sexual assault obtain medical and mental health care.

The commission held hearings and visited 11 correctional facilities before
issuing the report. The panel's advice may be difficult to implement for wardens
already battling overcrowding. Prisoners surveyed reported that corrections
officers committed a significant portion of inmate assaults, so officials may
protest stricter oversight.

Prison sexual assault "isn't just a random event that can happen to other bad
people," said Brenda V. Smith, an American University law professor and panel
member. Political protesters, people accused of driving under the influence, and
drug offenders testified about traumatic incidents of rape while in custody,
sometimes while being locked up for just one night, she said. "This is something
that could happen to a kid who has no priors and who happens to make a mistake,"
Smith said.

http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/search/newsSearch.aspx.