and represent a critical step forward in protecting the rights and safety of all Americans." Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 The Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA) was a federal law that was administered to ensure protection for the inmates in the epidemic of prison rape. Many actors were included in this process of making up the act. The goal of the act was to "provide for the analysis of the incidence and effects of prison rape in Federal, State, and local institutions and to provide information, resources, recommendation and funding to protect individuals from prison rape." Some of the highlights from the prison elimination act was "requires development of standards for detection, prevention, reduction, and punishment of prison rape. Awards grants to help State and local governments implement the Act's provision. The act applies to all public and private institutions that house adult or juvenile offenders and to community-based correctional agencies." Although all these rules were put in place to combat prison rape, it ultimately did not decrease sexual assault in prison. The act did not take into consideration the overcrowding in prisons or if instruction was enforced on correctional officers to enforce these rules. Another problem that appeared is that act was a national act, which allowed states to make the decision, to follow or not to follow the act. The delegation of funds to treat inmates was tricky due to having a lack of funds to achieve the goals they planned or promised. Notable victims Clyde Barrow of Bonnie and Clyde Stephen Donaldson Rodney Hulin T. J. Parsell Abner Louima (raped by police) See also National Prison Rape Elimination Commission Sexual abuse of women in American prisons HIV/AIDS in American prisons Prison sexuality Prisoner rights in the United States References Sources "No Escape: Male Rape in U.S. Prisons", Human Rights Watch, accessed 20 August 2006. "The Basics on Rape Behind Bars", Stop Prisoner Rape, Inc., accessed 20 August 2006. Joanne Mariner, "Preventing Prison Rape", FindLaw.com, June 24, 2002. Martin Forst et al., Youth in Prisons and Training Schools: Perceptions and Consequences of the Treatment-Custody Dichotomy, 2 Juv. & Fam. Ct. J. 9 (1989). Further reading Harnsberger, R. Scott. A Guide to Sources of Texas Criminal Justice Statistics [North Texas Crime and Criminal Justice Series, no.6]. Denton: University of North Texas Press, 2011. National Prison Rape Elimination Commission Report and Standards: Hearing before the Subcommittee on