NCJ Number
187970
Date Published
2000
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This paper examines issues that arise from homosexual relationships in women's prisons and the management responses, or lack thereof, to the behavior of the women participants, with attention to the Western Australian experience.
Abstract
Bandyup Women's Prison is Western Australia's only maximum-security facility for women. The incidents of homosexual activity and relationships at Bandyup Prison are apparently increasing, according to the staff and inmates interviewed by the author. Associated with lesbianism in prison are the intertwined issues of the abuse of drugs and "sex for drugs." Exposure to Hepatitis and sexually transmitted diseases is inevitably a consequence of prison homosexual experiences. The inmates interviewed for this paper generally agreed that those in homosexual relationships give little consideration to either the general contagious diseases or sexually transmitted diseases. Although the prison offers a comprehensive health education program that provides access to health staff and written information on a wide range of health issues, this apparently has little impact on the sexual relationships formed in prison. Other behaviors related to homosexual relationships in prison include self-harming behavior stemming from rejections, as well as conflict and aggressive behavior. Currently, staff are required to manage all aspects of homosexual relationships in prison, but without the assistance of a policy, directive, guidelines, or protocols. Management instructions could assist staff in establishing consistent practices in managing homosexual behavior. To consider any strategy designed to manage the behavioral responses that arise from homosexual relationships in prisons, an extensive evaluation must be undertaken to ensure that an effective and achievable outcome is likely. 3 references