Processes and Practices Associated With Reporting and Investigation of Sexual Misconduct Within Prison: A Novel Case Study Constructed Through Litigation Documents

The reporting and investigation of sexual assault within prison is complex. Although prevalence data are available, there is little known about the processes and case attrition within prison that mirror the attrition in the community between reporting, investigation, and outcomes. This critical case study uses secondary data from a class action litigation on behalf of incarcerated women who experienced staff sexual misconduct in one state system. Multiple sources of data are used quantitatively and qualitatively to examine prison processes. Prison Rape Elimination Act Standards are used as a framework to interpret the analysis and illustrate potential barriers for the successful implementation through case narratives. Although secondary data analyses have limitations, these data would be difficult to obtain under other circumstances and includes perspectives of the affected women and key institutional actors. The goal of this study is to inform and improve the prison-based processes in service of reducing and/or preventing victimization.