U.S. Code » Title 34 » Subtitle Subtitle III— Prevention of Particular Crimes › Chapter CHAPTER 303— PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION

34 U.S.C. § 30309

Definitions

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In this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:(1) Carnal knowledge

The term “carnal knowledge” means contact between the penis and the vulva or the penis and the anus, including penetration of any sort, however slight.

(2) Inmate

The term “inmate” means any person incarcerated or detained in any facility who is accused of, convicted of, sentenced for, or adjudicated delinquent for, violations of criminal law or the terms and conditions of parole, probation, pretrial release, or diversionary program.

(3) JailThe term “jail” means a confinement facility of a Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency to hold—(A) persons pending adjudication of criminal charges; or(B) persons committed to confinement after adjudication of criminal charges for sentences of 1 year or less.(4) HIV

The term “HIV” means the human immunodeficiency virus.

(5) Oral sodomy

The term “oral sodomy” means contact between the mouth and the penis, the mouth and the vulva, or the mouth and the anus.

(6) Police lockupThe term “police lockup” means a temporary holding facility of a Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency to hold—(A) inmates pending bail or transport to jail;(B) inebriates until ready for release; or(C) juveniles pending parental custody or shelter placement.(7) PrisonThe term “prison” means any confinement facility of a Federal, State, or local government, whether administered by such government or by a private organization on behalf of such government, and includes—(A) any local jail or police lockup; and(B) any juvenile facility used for the custody or care of juvenile inmates.(8) Prison rape

The term “prison rape” includes the rape of an inmate in the actual or constructive control of prison officials.

(9) RapeThe term “rape” means—(A) the carnal knowledge, oral sodomy, sexual assault with an object, or sexual fondling of a person, forcibly or against that person’s will;(B) the carnal knowledge, oral sodomy, sexual assault with an object, or sexual fondling of a person not forcibly or against the person’s will, where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his or her youth or his or her temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity; or(C) the carnal knowledge, oral sodomy, sexual assault with an object, or sexual fondling of a person achieved through the exploitation of the fear or threat of physical violence or bodily injury.(10) Sexual assault with an object

The term “sexual assault with an object” means the use of any hand, finger, object, or other instrument to penetrate, however slightly, the genital or anal opening of the body of another person.

(11) Sexual fondling

The term “sexual fondling” means the touching of the private body parts of another person (including the genitalia, anus, groin, breast, inner thigh, or buttocks) for the purpose of sexual gratification.

(12) ExclusionsThe terms and conditions described in paragraphs (9) and (10) shall not apply to—(A) custodial or medical personnel gathering physical evidence, or engaged in other legitimate medical treatment, in the course of investigating prison rape;(B) the use of a health care provider’s hands or fingers or the use of medical devices in the course of appropriate medical treatment unrelated to prison rape; or(C) the use of a health care provider’s hands or fingers and the use of instruments to perform body cavity searches in order to maintain security and safety within the prison or detention facility, provided that the search is conducted in a manner consistent with constitutional requirements.(Pub. L. 108–79, § 10, Sept. 4, 2003, 117 Stat. 987.)Editorial NotesCodification

Section was formerly classified to section 15609 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 15 cases (13 in the last 5 years), 2019–2026 · leading case: Kristin Sconiers v. FNU Lockhart, 946 F.3d 1256 (11th Cir. 2020).
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Kristin Sconiers v. FNU Lockhart, 946 F.3d 1256 (11th Cir. 2020). “” 34 U.S.C. § 30309 (9)(A). 30 Case: 16-16954 Date Filed: 01/07/2020 Page: 31 of 32 observed, “These laws and policies reflect the deep moral indignation that has replaced what had been society’s passive acceptance of the problem of sexual abuse in prison.”
John Does 8-10 v. Rick Snyder, 945 F.3d 951 (6th Cir. 2019). “56 (DOJ Statement of Interest at 3–7) (Page ID #768–72), probably because it is completely atextual, see 34 U.S.C. § 30309 (7); 28 C.F.R. § 115.5 .”
Earl Johnson, Jr. v. Richard Robinette, 105 F.4th 99 (4th Cir. 2024). “See 34 U.S.C. § 30309 (9)(A), (11); 28 C.F.R.”
Simon Quito-Guachichulca v. Merrick B. Garland, 122 F.4th 732 (8th Cir. 2024). “34 U.S.C. § 30309 (9) (defining it, in 2003, as “carnal knowledge, oral sodomy, sexual assault with an object, or sexual fondling”).”
(PC) Carthen v. Scott (E.D. Cal. 2023). · cites it 2× “” 34 U.S.C. § 30309 (9)(A). Sexual fondling is defined as “the 6 touching of the private body parts of another person (including the genitalia, anus, groin, breast, 7 inner thigh, or buttocks) for the purpose of sexual gratification.”
Ishmahil Barrie v. U.S. Attorney Gen. (11th Cir. 2026). · cites it 2× “§ 15609 (9)(A), now 34 U.S.C. § 30309 (9)(A)). The 2003 law then defined “sexual assault with an object” to include the penetration, however slight, of the victim’s “genital or anal opening of the body” by the use of a hand, finger, or other object.”
Gilberto DeJesus v. Sergeant Willie J. Lewis (11th Cir. 2021). “These considerations apply when the alleged misconduct does not necessarily qualify as a “sexual assault” under our description above.”
Samuel Love v. Mark G. Stainbrook (C.D. Cal. 2022). “” See 34 U.S.C.A. § 30309 19 (defining “inmate” for PREA purposes to mean “any person incarcerated or detained 20 in any facility who is accused of, convicted of, sentenced for, or adjudicated 21 delinquent for, violations of criminal law or the terms and conditions of parole,…”
Carter v. Hillsboro Treatment Ctr. (E.D. Mo. 2021). “10 34 U.S.C. § 30309 is a federal statute providing definitions for the PREA.”
Bearchild v. Cobban (D. Mont. 2021). “, 34 U.S.C. § 30309 (11) (limiting “sexual fondling” under PREA to contact initiated “for the purpose of sexual gratification”) (emphasis added).”
Walton v. Nehls (E.D. Wis. 2023). “See 34 U.S.C. § 30309 (9) (defining “rape” as “the carnal knowledge, oral sodomy, sexual assault with an object, or sexual fondling of a person forcibly or against that person’s will;” “.”
Doe v. Osiberu (D. Maryland 2025). “” 34 U.S.C. § 30309 (11). Similarly, the PREA national standards define “sexual abuse” to include, inter alia, “penetration of the .”
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