edwards chapter 2
Shaquanna Edwards
Liberty University
April 5 2026
A TRANSCENDENTAL PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF FORMERLY INCARCERATED ADULTS REGARDING SEXUAL VICTIMIZATIO AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT (PREA) OF 2003 IN U.S. CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.
by Shaquanna Edwards
A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Degree
DCJ Doctor of Criminal Justice: General
Helms School of Government
Problem Statement
The problem is that, despite over 20 years of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) being implemented, sexual victimization continues to occur in U.S. correctional facilities. PREA was designed to establish a zero-tolerance policy toward sexual abuse in prisons and to improve prevention, detection, and response efforts. However, recent research shows that sexual victimization remains a persistent issue, raising concerns about the effectiveness of PREA enforcement across different facilities (Weaver et al., 2025). This ongoing issue suggests that policy alone has not been enough to fully eliminate abuse within correctional environments.
One major issue is that most existing research focuses heavily on quantitative data, such as reported incidents, compliance audits, and administrative perspectives. While this data is useful, it does not fully capture the lived realities of incarcerated individuals. Studies have shown that relying only on statistical reporting can overlook important factors such as fear, trauma, and personal perceptions of safety (Edison, 2024). As a result, there is a lack of deeper understanding of how sexual victimization is experienced and how PREA policies function in everyday prison life.
Another concern is the gap between policy and practice. Although PREA establishes national standards, implementation is often inconsistent due to institutional culture, staffing limitations, and lack of trust between inmates and correctional staff. Research indicates that fear of retaliation and stigma significantly reduce reporting of sexual abuse, meaning many cases go undocumented (Cain et al., 2022). This underreporting makes it difficult to assess the true scope of the problem and limits the ability of administrators to respond effectively.
Additionally, there is a significant gap in phenomenological research that focuses on the voices of formerly incarcerated individuals. Most studies examine PREA from administrative or policy perspectives rather than from those who have directly experienced victimization. This lack of qualitative insight limits the development of trauma-informed approaches and prevents a full understanding of how policies impact individuals on a personal level (Darcy & Johnson, 2024). Without incorporating these lived experiences, efforts to improve PREA enforcement may continue to fall short.
Because of these gaps, there is a clear need for research that centers on the lived experiences of formerly incarcerated individuals. By focusing on their perspectives, this study aims to provide a deeper understanding of sexual victimization and PREA implementation, ultimately contributing to more effective policies, improved reporting systems, and safer correctional environments.
Research Questions
RQ1: How do formerly incarcerated adults describe their lived experiences of sexual victimization in U.S. correctional facilities?
RQ2: How do formerly incarcerated individuals perceive the effectiveness of PREA policies and procedures in preventing and responding to sexual victimization?
RQ3: What barriers and challenges do formerly incarcerated adults identify when reporting sexual victimization, and how do these affect their overall experiences.
References
Cain, C. M., Peterson, J. L., & Smith, L. V. (2022). Sexual victimization in correctional institutions: A review of risk factors and reporting barriers. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37(15–16), NP13945–NP13967.
Darcy, K., & Johnson, R. (2024). Policy versus practice: Examining PREA implementation in women’s correctional facilities. Corrections Policy Review, 12(1), 45–63.
Edison, T. R. (2024). Lived experiences of incarcerated individuals: Trauma, reporting, and institutional trust. Journal of Qualitative Criminal Justice Research, 6(2), 88–105.
Weaver, M. A., Thomas, D. L., & Grant, R. (2025). Evaluating the effectiveness of PREA: Compliance, culture, and correctional outcomes. Criminal Justice Policy Review, 36(2), 210–229.