NCJ Number
164808
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 58 Issue: 7 Dated: (December 1996) Pages: 100-102,104,106
Date Published
1996
Length
5 pages
Annotation
After providing an overview of the problem of rape in correctional institutions, this article suggests a strategy for preventing it.
Abstract
A 1994 study of 1,800 inmates in a Midwestern State prison, shows that 22 percent of male respondents said they had been pressured or forced at least once to have sexual contact against their will while incarcerated. Only 29 percent of these said they had reported the incident to prison authorities. Sexual misconduct is woven into the lifestyle of many inmates, and this often makes the problem difficult for correctional officers to address or even recognize. Staff education and sensitivity training may be the most important tool in combating this problem. An effective sexual assault prevention program should provide specific training initiatives that address each of the many facets of this situation. Another way to reduce inmate rape is to improve inmate classification. There are several demographic factors that make inmates obvious targets for rape: small size, youthfulness, first incarceration, commitment for a nonviolent offense, and being a self-identified homosexual. Inmates identified as being at high risk for rape should not be housed with known predators. Further, new inmates should be warned about sexual assault during their orientation. Offering first-time inmates rape prevention strategies before entering the prison environment can help them avoid being victimized through typical predatory strategies. Should a rape occur, medical and psychological intervention should be part of an inmate's recovery process. A medical examination should be conducted immediately after the rape occurs. Any rape in prison should be investigated in the same manner as a rape outside the prison.