The Federal Bureau of Prisons takes very seriously all allegations of sexual misconduct within our nation's Federal correctional facilities. Every allegation is reviewed and, where warranted, referred for criminal prosecution. We have a "zero-tolerance" standard for sexual abuse of inmates.

Over the past decade the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has taken additional steps to eliminate sexual abuse in its facilities, by training all staff on how to prevent it, by conveying the severity of the consequences for engaging in it, and by informing inmates on how to report it.

In April 1997, the Bureau approved a new plan to prevent sexual abuse and assaults of inmates. In January 1998, it revised its policy to include procedures for recognizing, preventing and confidentially reporting the sexual abuse of inmates by staff. By the end of Spring 1998, all Bureau institution employees received initial training to recognize, prevent, and report sexual abuse of inmates. Bureau staff will continue to receive annual specialized training regarding implementation of the BOP's national policy standard regarding Sexual Abuse/Assault Prevention and Intervention. In addition, the Bureau has developed an inmate awareness program, including procedures for reporting sexual abuse by staff.