The PLRA was passed in 1996 to reduce frivolous litigation by prisoners. While the number of frivolous prisoner lawsuits has declined, the PLRA has prevented rape victims, children in detention, and religious rights violations from reaching federal courts. These unintended consequences of the PLRA have limited the monitoring of prisons around the country and kept federal courts from delivering justice to prisoners. The SAVE Coalition, of which the ACLU is a founding member, held a Congressional briefing to discuss proposed reforms that will continue to reduce frivolous prisoner litigation, while also allowing meritorious cases to reach the courts
Testimony from the following was offered at the hearing (click on the link for more) :
Recent Congressional Testimony about the PLRA