Background
The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) was passed by Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2003 to prevent, detect and respond to sexual abuse and sexual harassment that occurs in confinement settings. The law was expanded by President Barack Obama in 2012 via executive order to include all federal and Department of Defense correctional facilities. The National Prison Rape Elimination Commission developed national standards which apply to adult prisons and jails, juvenile facilities, lockups and community confinement facilities.
Air Force Corrections System Zero-Tolerance Policy
The Air Force Corrections System has zero tolerance towards all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment within its confinement facilities and is committed to preventing, detecting, and responding to such activity. Unit Commanders will immediately respond to allegations and refer sexual abuse or sexual harassment allegations for criminal investigation to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI). Disciplinary action will be pursued based upon the outcome of the investigations. Substantiated allegations will be referred for prosecution.
The Air Force has a designated agency-wide PREA Coordinator based at the Air Force Security Forces Center. All confinement facilities have a PREA Compliance Manager who follows the administrative lead of the PREA Coordinator in order to share information and efforts to ensure satisfactory inspection compliance. Air Force confinement facilities have established policy and guidance in accordance with the PREA standards.