NCJ Number
232089
Journal
Howard Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 49 Issue: 4 Dated: September 2010 Pages: 361-374
Date Published
September 2010
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This article presents the main findings of an innovative Portuguese research project on prison guards' attitudes towards the prevention of sexual contacts between inmates.
Abstract
Sexuality in prisons is still a poorly studied issue, although its increasing visibility demands a better understanding of prison dynamics. Results show that guards hold very favourable attitudes towards the prevention of forced sexual contacts between inmates, but they are more ambiguous concerning consensual sexuality. This result is influenced by the characteristics of the inmates under the guards' supervision and by the prison guards' knowledge of the existence of sexual contacts between inmates. The results will be discussed, along with their impact on the development of training programmes and policies regarding sexual contacts between inmates. Tables and references (Published Abstract)