NCJ Number
179786
Journal
American Jails Volume: 13 Issue: 4 Dated: September/October 1999 Pages: 41-44
Date Published
October 1999
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Allegations of sexual misconduct are increasingly being made against correctional officers in State and local jails and against correctional officers in jails run by private companies who operate local detention facilities.
Abstract
These allegations normally involve heterosexual encounters at female facilities but also involve homosexual encounters in male and female facilities. The problem is more difficult in locally operated jails because these facilities house both male and female inmates in close proximity. Sexual relationships between correctional staff and inmates represent a significant problem, especially because it causes a breakdown in morale and presents a correctional facility with a serious security hazard. Once an inmate has control over a correctional officer as a result of a sexual relationship, anything from contraband to a violent escape attempt can result. Reasons why these sexual relationships develop are considered, as are problems in the investigation of correctional officers and lawsuits filed by inmates who have been sexually abused by correctional officers. The author notes that solutions are not simple and that failure to act in the area of sexual misconduct cannot be attributed to one particular entity or procedure. 4 endnotes