Combating Rape in Prison
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The Post was correct in endorsing key recommendations of the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission, including the call for reform of the Prison Litigation Reform Act ["A Prison Nightmare," editorial, June 23].
Purportedly enacted to curb the filing of frivolous prisoner litigation, the act makes it almost impossible for prisoners to file any civil rights claims, regardless of their merit. Because of the act, prison survivors of rape and other forms of sexual assault lose their right to sue unless they follow all the arbitrary internal grievance rules set by prison officials.
For example, a prisoner in Texas who wrote to me tried to complain of two incidents of rape, days apart. The grievance about the second rape was thrown out because he had already filed one grievance that week.
Any valid purpose served by the act's exhaustion requirement could be served by a far narrower provision.
It is also essential that all lawsuits on behalf of juveniles be exempt from the strictures of the act. Youth in adult prisons are particularly vulnerable to sexual assault. Given that there is no evidence that juveniles have ever created a problem by filing frivolous lawsuits, the act should be amended to allow the federal courts to hold officials accountable for the treatment of youth in their custody.
ELIZABETH ALEXANDER
Director
National Prison Project
ACLU
