June 3, 2011
SEXUAL ASSAULT IN PRISON IS PREVENTABLE
Prisons will be required to follow standards of
National Prison Rape Elimination Commission
An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission (HB 6642) was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives late Thursday. The legislation, authored by Representative Patricia Dillon (D-New Haven), requires state and municipal agencies that incarcerate adult offenders to adopt and comply with the standards recommended by the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission (NPREC) for preventing, detecting, monitoring and responding to sexual abuse in prisons.
“Sexual assault in prison is preventable,” Rep. Dillon said. “Although Connecticut is currently in compliance with federal standards for prevention of sexual assault in prison, the latest recommendations of NPREC can provide a template for us to be a leader in reducing the trauma and disease transmission that result from sexual assault.”
Benefits of the legislation include: avoiding lasting trauma to victims, assault victims are at risk of being infected with HIV and reentry to society is more difficult for victims of prison rape.
Congress created NPREC to study the causes and consequences of sexual abuse in prison and develop standards to eliminate prison rape. Its recommendations include:
Improving identification of vulnerable inmates, protecting them without isolating them, and providing rehabilitative programs
Rigorous internal monitoring and external oversight
Ensuring that reporting procedures instill confidence in victims and protect them from retaliation
Thorough and competent investigations
Holding perpetrators accountable through administrative sanctions and criminal prosecution
Ensuring victims' immediate and ongoing access to medical and mental health care and
supportive services.
Facilities covered by this legislation include prisons, jails, community correction facilities, and lockups.
The bill awaits action by the state Senate. More information on the NPREC can be found at http://nicic.gov/PREACommission.