Thanks to Craig Cheslog of Political Parrhesia for sending us to Pat Nolan's commentary in today's Washington Times, Prison Rape: It's No Joke.

With Congress back in session, another bill needs your support. "Sens. Kennedy and Sessions and Reps. Wolf and Scott have teamed up to sponsor the "Prison Rape Reduction Act of 2002," S. 2619 and H.R. 4943, which would establish standards for investigating and eliminating rape, and hold the states accountable if they fail to do so. " Here is TalkLeft's earlier description of and support for the bill.

Mr. Nolan, president of the Justice Fellowship, a non-profit group based in Reston, Va., also sums the situation up quite well:

"Experts estimate that at least one in 10 inmates is raped in prison. Because 95 percent of prisoners will eventually be released back into our communities, the horrors that occur inside prison have consequences for the rest of us, too."

"As troubling as the incidence of rape is, equally disturbing is the attitude of many government officials who are indifferent to it. When asked about prison rape, Massachusetts Department of Correction spokesman Anthony Carnevales said, "Well, that's prison . . . I don't know what to tell you." In that offhand remark, he was expressing what many feel in their hearts but are loathe to admit — "they deserve it."

"But they don't deserve it. Regardless of the crimes they have committed, no offender's sentence includes being raped while in the custody of the government."

"Winston Churchill said that the manner in which a society treats criminals "is one of the most unfailing tests of the civilization of any country." As Congress rushes to complete its work before the election recess, it is important that they take the time to deal with the scandal of prison rape, and, in doing so, meet Churchill's test of a civilized society."