What is the primary goal of the Prison Rape Elimination Act?

The primary goal of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) is to eliminate sexual abuse in correctional facilities. This federal law was enacted in 2003 with the purpose of addressing the critical issue of sexual violence within prisons and jails. By establishing a zero-tolerance standard towards sexual misconduct, PREA aims to create safer environments for individuals in custody. It mandates the development of procedures to prevent, detect, and respond to incidents of sexual abuse, ensuring that victims receive support and that facilities take proactive measures to address and reduce the occurrence of such abuse.

Focusing specifically on the other choices, while providing security for offenders, promoting rehabilitation, and reducing recidivism rates are significant aspects of the correctional system, they do not encapsulate the central aim of PREA. Instead, these elements may be part of broader objectives within correctional management but do not specifically address the urgent need to confront and eliminate sexual violence in penal settings. Thus, the emphasis on preventing sexual abuse is a fundamental component of ensuring the integrity of correctional environments.