With respect to interviewing strategies, much of the information we provide would be equally relevant for victims of sexual assault who are in correctional settings, as well as those who are not.  Of course, the dynamics of sexual assault are somewhat different in a correctional setting – as is the process of an investigation – but these differences would not alter the fundamental interview strategy.  Such issues are addressed in the standards issued by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2012 to support the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) which was originally passed in 2003.  For more information and resources in this area, readers are referred to the website for Just Detention International, a health and human rights organization that seeks to end sexual abuse in all forms of detention.

While the two -scale national studies on sexual assault victimization and reporting cited in the previous question did not specifically focus on correctional settings, a comprehensive report published by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) similarly suggests that many of the same dynamics come into play, with a majority of incidents not reported, and reports typically made only after some delay. In fact, many inmates only report their sexual assault victimization once they are released back into the community (Abner, Browning & Clark, 2009). For more information, please see the BJA report.

Abner, C., Browning, J. & Clark, J. (2009).  Preventing and Responding to Corrections-Based Sexual Abuse:  A Guide for Community Corrections Professionals (NCJ 238147). Washington, DC:  Bureau of Justice Assistance.