Feds Miss Prisons Deadline

The Justice Department missed its deadline Wednesday for finalizing national standards to end prison rape in the United States, prompting calls from activists and lawmakers for quicker action on the problem.

The congressionally appointed National Prison Rape Elimination Commission issued the standards in 2009; by law, the Justice Department had until Wednesday to approve them. The guidelines recommend steps that include regular audits to hold prisons accountable.

"It is unacceptable for anyone in the care of our country's correctional facilities to be sexually assaulted," said Justice Department spokesperson Hannah August, who added that the department is "working diligently to implement these standards as soon as possible."