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B. Statistical Methods

1. Description of Universe

The SSV collects information on incidents of sexual violence that occur in correctional facilities. BJS estimates that there are 8,727 facilities covered by the Act as described below:

Facility type	Number of facilities
Total	8,727
Prisons
Public - Federal	84
Public – State	1,320
Private	264
Local Jails
Public	3,318
Private	47
Juvenile facilities
Public	1,211
Private	2,323
Other facilities
Indian country jails	70
Military-operated	59
ICE-operated	31

The Act requires a 10% sample of correctional facilities. In the case of systems operated by the State or Federal governments we take all facilities, as information tends to be centralized, and one report minimizes burden on the respondents (Department of Correction, Bureau of Prisons, etc.) The same is true for military facilities - a form goes to each independent branch to report on all facilities for which it is responsible. In the case of the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a form is sent to each facility operated by ICE, as the system is largely decentralized. Finally, for local jails and private prisons, jails, juvenile facilities, and facilities in Indian Country, which are completely decentralized, a 10% sample of each is drawn based on the most current frame available. BJS provides a detailed description of the sampling methods in the back of each published report (see attached reports).

The sampling frame source varies for each type of correctional facility. For each year, the State Department of Correction and the Bureau of Prisons submit information based on reports of sexual assault among all state/federal operated facilities, thus, a complete enumeration without the need for sampling. The private prison sample draws from the most recent Census of State Correctional Facilities, conducted every 5-6 years by BJS (the 2000 Census for 2004 and 2005 samples, and the 2005 Census for the 2006 sample). The 2005 Census of State Correctional Facilities will be used as the frame for the 2007, 2008, and 2009 sample, adjusted for any openings and closings as we learn of them. The private and public jail sample is drawn from the most recent Census of Jails, conducted every 5-6 years by BJS (the 1999 Census for the 2004 and 2005 samples and the 2005 Census for the 2006 sample). The 2005 Jail Census will also be used for the 2207, 2008, and 2009 sampling frame, adjusted for any openings and closings as we learn of them.

All 50 State juvenile justice jurisdictions report on incidents of sexual violence within all state-operated juvenile facilities, thus, a complete enumeration with no need for sampling. For private and local juvenile facilities, BJS utilized the 2003 Census of Juvenile in Residential Placement (CJRP) for the 2004 sample, and the 2004 Juvenile Residential Facility Census (JRFC) for 2005 and 2006 samples. Both frames are collected by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention every 2-3 years. For the 2007, 2008, and 2009 samples, BJS will use the most recent frame available.

BJS collects a report from the main branches of the military each year to cover all facilities run by the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines, and Air Force. Similarly, all facilities operated by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are included each year. Jails in Indian Country are sampled each year based on the number of facilities known to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).

2. Data Collection Procedures

Each system/facility will receive a letter (attached) and a copy of the appropriate SSV form(s) shortly following approval of this collection (they usually go out at the end of the calendar/reference year). Our data collection agent, the U.S. Census Bureau will provide each respondent with the appropriate version of the SSV form. Respondents will transcribe data from their administrative records to the standardized forms. The Census Bureau will follow up with phone calls and emails after the expiration of the return date on the form. Typically, Census is successful in obtaining the majority of the responses. The remaining non-respondents are forwarded to BJS and we make personal calls to obtain the information. BJS has been successful in this endeavor (see response rate discussion below).  

3. Methods to Maximize Response

Every effort is being made to make the survey materials clear and simple to use. The SSV questionnaire has been designed to make collection of the data as concise and easy for the respondents as possible. Some examples include uniform definitions of terms and concepts as well as counting rules for items to be reported. Additionally, the SSV uses some questions that have been previously used in other surveys and are known to be easily reported by most respondents.

Please see attached table 1 that summarizes reporting capabilities of correctional authorities, by type of reported assault for collection years 2004, 2005 and 2006. This table tracks significant improved capacity to report data using uniform definitions and survey categories among State and Federal prison systems. However, local jail authorities show lower levels of conformity to data standards. Due to sampling, approximately a two-thirds of jails selected each year are receiving the summary form containing the definitions and reporting criteria for the first time. Reporting capabilities are expected to improve as the survey includes an increasing percentage of jurisdictions that have previously been sampled.

The response rate varies according to the type of correctional jurisdiction. All 50 State Departments of Correction and the Federal Bureau of Prisons have participated in the 2004 - 2006 collections. For the remaining entities, responses have been as follows: 4 non-responses in 2004 (one in Indian country, and 3 juvenile facilities); 0 non-respondents in 2005 (adult facility report only); 5 non-respondents in 2006 (adult facility report only, all non-respondents were local jails). Overall response rates were 99.6% in 2004 (adult and juvenile facilities), 100 in 2005 (adult facilities only), and 99.2% in 2006 (adult facilities only).

Overall, the data demonstrate high capacity to provide data. Measures of sexual harassments have the highest rates of partial reporting (5% in jails) or inability to report (2%). Such levels do not impair the ability to draw accurate estimates of sexual violence by type.

See attached table 2 that summarizes item non-response on the SSV incident report. Overall, these data show low non-response rates for critical items. Notable exceptions are observed for (1) time of occurrence (item 6), especially for staff sexual misconduct (20.4%); (2) housing changes (item 15) for inmate victims (12.0%); and (3) length of employment for perpetrators (item 36) for staff (5.9%). Although these item-nonresponse rates are higher than desired, they reflect limits of information contained in the investigative reports (rather than ambiguity of item content or selective reporting from jurisdictions). The need to track these characteristics of substantiated incidents outweighs deletion of these items from the surveys.

BJS staff and Census staff are both available to answer any questions that respondents may have.

4. Testing Procedures

BJS and Census staff have established that jurisdictions are able to respond to the SSV. Items will not change from the last collection approval.

5. Contacts for Statistical Aspects of Data Collection

The Corrections Statistics Unit at BJS takes responsibility for the overall design and management of the survey, including sampling procedures, development of the questionnaires, and the analysis and publication of the data. The BJS contact is:

Paige M. Harrison, Statistician

Corrections Statistics Unit

Bureau of Justice Statistics

810 Seventh St., N.W.

Washington, DC 20531

(202) 305-0809

The Governments Division at the Census Bureau is the collection agent and is responsible for the collection of all data. The contact at the Census Bureau is

Charlene Sebold, Chief

Criminal Justice Statistics Branch

Building #4

U.S. Census Bureau

Washington, DC 20233

(301) 763-1591