edwards chapter 2

Shaquanna Edwards

Liberty University

CJUS740_D03_202620

April 12, 2026

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to examine how formerly incarcerated adults make meaning of their lived experiences with sexual victimization while in custody and how they interpret the implementation of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) of 2003 within state correctional facilities in the United States. While PREA established a national standard intended to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual abuse, there remains a need to understand how these policies are experienced by those directly affected. This study seeks to center the voices of individuals who were incarcerated between 2015 and 2024, a period that reflects contemporary PREA practices and compliance efforts. By focusing on personal narratives rather than institutional reports, this research aims to uncover how policies function in practice and how individuals perceive their effectiveness .

The motivation for this study stems from the continued presence of sexual victimization within correctional settings despite policy reforms, as well as the limited number of qualitative studies that explore post-incarceration reflections on these experiences. Much of the existing literature relies on administrative data, which may not fully capture the complexity of fear, underreporting, and retaliation that individuals face while incarcerated (Beck et al., 2013; Jenness & Fenstermaker, 2016). This study is grounded in the belief that lived experience provides critical insight into the gaps between policy intent and actual practice. Understanding these experiences is essential for developing more responsive and humane approaches to prevention and intervention.

The significance of this research lies in its potential to contribute to both scholarly understanding and practical reform. By documenting how formerly incarcerated individuals describe reporting procedures, staff responses, and protective measures, this study can inform ongoing discussions about accountability and safety within correctional institutions. Prior research has shown that barriers such as distrust of staff, fear of retaliation, and inconsistent enforcement can limit the effectiveness of PREA (Wolff et al., 2007; Tewksbury, 2014). This study builds on that work by offering detailed accounts that highlight how these barriers are experienced and navigated over time.

In addition, this research has implications for policy development, staff training, and reentry support services. Insights drawn from participants’ experiences may guide the development of trauma-informed practices that better support survivors both during and after incarceration. By engaging with individuals through community-based reentry programs, this study also emphasizes ethical responsibility and participant well-being. Ultimately, this research seeks to bridge the gap between policy and lived reality, contributing to efforts aimed at improving institutional accountability and fostering safer correctional environments.

References

Beck, A. J., Berzofsky, M., Caspar, R., & Krebs, C. (2013). Sexual victimization in prisons and jails reported by inmates, 2011–12. U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics.

Jenness, V., & Fenstermaker, S. (2016). Agnes goes to prison: Gender, race, and the politics of punishment in global perspective. University of California Press.

Pia, S. A. (2024). An overview of Prison Rape Elimination Acts (PREA) 2003. International Journal of Law and Politics Studies, 6(2), 18–24.

Tewksbury, R. (2014). Prison rape: Understanding the problem and addressing the issue. Routledge.

Wolff, N., Blitz, C. L., & Shi, J. (2007). Rates of sexual victimization in prison for inmates with and without mental disorders. Psychiatric Services, 58(8), 1087–1094.