Ineffective formal procedures, legislation and reporting capacity within U.S. jails and prisons account for much of the ongoing sexual abuse of women prisoners.

• In 1997, according to the US Justice Department, only ten prison employees in the entire federal system were disciplined; only seven were prosecuted.
• If a prison official is found guilty, he is often simply transferred to another facility (also known as being "walked off the yard") instead of being fired.
• The inmate can be transferred to another facility.