WASHINGTON � Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) finalized Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) regulations to prevent, detect and respond to sexual abuse and assault in DHS confinement facilities, meeting a May 2012 Presidential Directive. PREA was enacted in 2003 with strong bipartisan support. Today�s announcement finalizes a rule first proposed last year and follows an extensive public comment period. The rule builds on current DHS detention policies and practices, including Performance Based National Detention Standards (PBNDS) and a May 2012 Directive on �Sexual Abuse and Assault Prevention and Intervention� issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). [read the full story here]
