edwards
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files (3)EdwardsTopic1.docx
ShaquannaEdwardProblemstatement.docx
- Chapterone.docx
EdwardsTopic1.docx
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.
Shaquanna Edwards
A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Degree
[Doctor of Philosophy]
Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA
2026
Background
Sexual victimization in the correctional facilities is still a problem even after the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) of 2003 was introduced, which was aimed at creating a zero-tolerance policy and a uniform way of preventing, detecting and responding to the issue across the institutions (Pia, 2024). Although national data are still recording sexual abuse cases in prisons, there is a paucity of qualitative studies that captured how former prisoners make sense and interpretations of sexual abuse experiences once released. The proposed study targets the population of formerly imprisoned adults that were incarcerated within state prisons in the United States during 2015-2024, which aligns with the current practice of compliance with PREA and post-implementation measures. The choice of setting to state prisons eliminates variation linked to jails and federal facilities, enhancing conceptual clarity and feasibility.
The lived experience of sexual victimization and consequent perceptions of PREA implementation, such as reporting procedures, staff responsiveness, and perceived effectiveness of protective procedures, are defined as the phenomenon under study. Here, the understanding of the effectiveness of PREA is how individuals perceive the capacity of PREA policies to prevent abuse, safeguard victims and hold people accountable in the institution. Even though PREA has led to heightened awareness and reporting systems, recent research indicates that underreporting, fear of retaliation, and ad hoc application remain factors that hamper the effectiveness of the measure. This makes it highly imperative to analyze these policies using the voices of the people who are directly affected by these policies and not just administrative data or institutional reports.
The study is significant as it fills a well-defined gap in the literature as the focus is on the retrospective accounts of the formerly imprisoned individuals, which is more readily available and ethically suitable to study than the currently imprisoned ones. To increase feasibility, the participants will be identified via community-based reentry programs and nonprofit organizations serving the formerly incarcerated populations, which will offer a feasible and ethical means of data collection. Moreover, the research recognizes the sensitivity of the topic and expects the complete review by the Institutional Review Board (IRB), including the practices of trauma-informed interviewing, voluntary participation, and referral resources, to reduce the chances of re-traumatization. This research can inform policymakers, correctional administrators, and advocacy groups by providing an insight into the mechanisms of PREA policies in practice, which eventually will lead to more effective, trauma-informed reforms.
References
Pia, S. A. (2024). An overview of Prison Rape Elimination Acts (PREA) 2003. International Journal of Law and Politics Studies, 6(2), 18-24. https://al-kindipublishers.org/index.php/ijlps/article/download/6961/5853
ShaquannaEdwardProblemstatement.docx
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.
