HR0794 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The rape and sexual abuse of prisoners by other prisoners and staff plague prisons nationwide; and

WHEREAS, the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) was passed unanimously by Congress and was signed into law in 2003 to hold the government accountable for these horrific acts; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Department of Corrections claims to be fully committed to the eradication of prison rape and has adopted a "zero tolerance" policy in its facilities; and

WHEREAS, Under the purview of the Illinois Department of Corrections and its "zero tolerance" policy, 404 allegations of sexual harassment and abuse were filed in 2015; 118 of the allegations made were regarding members of the Department of Corrections staff; and

WHEREAS, Logan Correctional Center, one of only two female Corrections facilities in the State, has the highest number of sexual harassment and abuse allegations; currently, 30 offenders housed at Logan Correctional Center have become pregnant since their sentences have begun; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Illinois Department of Corrections strengthen its commitment to PREA and eradicate sexual harassment and abuse in the correctional facilities in Illinois.