The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) was passed in 2003 with unanimous support from both parties in Congress. The purpose of the Act was to “provide for the analysis of the incidence and effects of prison rape in Federal, State and Local institutions and to provide information, resources, recommendations and funding to protect individuals from prison rape.” This law applies to all public and private institutions that house adult or juvenile offenders.
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) is committed to a zero-tolerance standard towards all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment between employees, volunteers or contractors and offenders as well as offender upon offender sexual abuse or harassment. The Office of Inspector General oversees the agency’s efforts; including PREA investigations under the Prison Rape Elimination Act. ODOC PREA Policy
The Bureau of Justice defines five (5) different types of PREA incidents and their potential dispositions. PREA DEFINITIONS