Just Detention International (JDI) is a health and human rights organization that seeks to end sexual abuse in all forms of detention.

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JDI’s Core Beliefs:• When the government takes away

someone’s freedom, it takes on an absolute responsibility to protect that person’s safety.

• No matter what crime someone might have committed, rape is not part of the penalty.

• Prisoner rape is preventable, through committed management, strong policies, and proper training.

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Goals of JDI’s work:

• To hold government officials accountable for prisoner rape.

• To change flippant public attitudes toward sexual abuse behind bars.

• To ensure that survivors of this type of violence get the help they need.

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Prevalence of Sexual Violence in Adult Prisons and Jails and

Juvenile FacilitiesEstimated numbers of individuals

victimized in 2008:*

• Adult Prisons 91,400

• Adult Jails 108,100

• Juvenile Facilities 17,100

Total 216,600

*From the BJS surveys of sexual violence, as reported in DOJ PREA Notice of Proposed Rule Making, released January 24, 2011.

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Sexual Violence in Detention

Sexual violence may include:– Sexual

harassment– Protective pairing– Sexual

exploitation– Sexual abuse– Rape– Domestic

violence/battering

Perpetrators may use:– Offers of

protection– Threats– Coercion– Authority– Extortion– Medication/drugs– Force

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Reporting RateIn 2008, there were 7,444

formal allegations of sexual

abuse in adult prisons and

jails throughout the US.

When surveyed

anonymously, 199,500

prison and jail inmates stated

that they experienced sexual

abuse over the same period.

Anyone may be a target of sexual violence in detention, but are there any groups that are at a heightened risk?

Model Programs:•Inmate Outreach•Paths to Recovery•PREA Implementation•Peer Education

Every survivor who writes to JDI receives a Survivor Packet, including JDI’s Resource Guide for Survivors of Sexual Abuse Behind Bars and other materials.“While incarcerated, I sustained repeated sexual assaults via forced prostitution at the hands of prison gang members. I was on the brink of suicide when a response from JDI was delivered. JDI was the only organization to offer a hand of

hope when honestly I had no one. JDI's letter showed up only three days prior to the date I had selected to end my life and it gave me the hope necessary to rebuild my desire to live.”

– Scott Howard, prisoner rape survivor

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“I used to feel shame and humiliation about what happened to me in that Texas jail. Eventually, I came to realize that it was not my shame — it was my country’s shame.”

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– Tom Cahill, prisoner rape survivor and former JDI President

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Troy, Frank, and Cecilia

JDI Survivors Video