Justice Behind Bars: Legal Strategies for Combating Sexual Abuse in Prisons

Since December 2022, when the US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations released disturbing findings from its bipartisan investigation into sexual abuse of women in federal prisons, there have been significant changes to the legal landscape in related cases—in both civil and criminal cases including in the context of victims’ compassionate release petitions. From legal as well as psychological perspective, this course will explore strategies advocating for these victims in a way that empowers them depending on what they are hoping to achieve—whether it be monetary compensation or prevention of further sexual abuse, including in the form of reduction in sentence. This course will also explore the unique challenges associated with these cases and discuss ways to address them as well as possible reform ideas.