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  3. Concerns rise over fate of anti-prison rape law

Concerns rise over fate of anti-prison rape law

In this photo taken Oct. 17, 2014, a correctional officer, left, directs an offender through a gate at the Washington Corrections Center For Women in Gig Harbor, Wash. A 2003 federal law was meant to put a stop to sexual assault in the nation’s prisons, jails and juvenile detention centers and more than $110 million in state and federal taxpayer money has been spent to help states tackle the problem. By last fall, every state was supposed to have dozens of new standards in place, ranging from increased training of staff about sex abuse policies to procedures meant to help inmates safely report attacks. (AP / Elaine Thompson)
In this photo taken Oct. 17, 2014, a correctional officer, left, directs an offender through a gate at the Washington Corrections Center For Women in Gig Harbor, Wash. A 2003 federal law was meant to put a stop to sexual assault in the nation’s prisons, jails and juvenile detention centers and more than $110 million in state and federal taxpayer money has been spent to help states tackle the problem. By last fall, every state was supposed to have dozens of new standards in place, ranging from increased training of staff about sex abuse policies to procedures meant to help inmates safely report attacks. (AP / Elaine Thompson)

Idaho is one of seven states that have opted out of compliance with a 2003 law aimed at eliminating prison rape, and could face financial penalties, the AP reports. Now, a Texas senator is pushing legislation to eliminate the penalties from the law, prompting national debate over whether the move would gut the law or provide other supports to victims. AP reporter Rebecca Boone in Boise has a full story here, and more here.

Betsy Z. Russell
Betsy Z. Russell joined The Spokesman-Review in 1991. She currently is a reporter in the Boise Bureau covering Idaho state government and politics, and other news from Idaho's state capital.

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