Staff Perspectives: Sexual Violence in Adult Prisons and Jails, Trends from Focus Group Interviews

This document reports the findings from focus group interviews of correctional personnel. Observations are presented according to the following topics: staff perspectives on sexual violence policy; changing attitudes; inmate culture; causes and conditions of sexual violence; indicators of assault; characteristics of potential inmate victims and predators; places of sexual assault; staff responding to sexual assault; staff and inmate training; women’s facilities; jails; investigations; prosecution; community awareness; and staff recommendations. An executive summary precedes these comments.