Male Rape in US Prisons

Counter-punch | 6/9/03 | Alex Coolman

[philosofy123]

No Escape: Male Rape in US Prisons

By ALEX COOLMAN

In April of 2001, Human Rights Watch released a report called No Escape: Male Rape in U.S. Prison. The report, written by human rights lawyer (and CounterPunch contributor) Joanne Mariner, contains dozens of first-hand accounts of prisoner rape and sexual assault, stories that are both horrifying and sobering.

Some of the most frightening passages in the book, though, are not in the main body of the text. They're in the appendix, which features letters that state corrections departments coughed up after Human Rights Watch requested information about sexual assault behind bars.

In the appendix, the reader learns what these corrections departments, despite countless stories of human suffering to the contrary, are still saying about sexual assault.

From the Kentucky Department of Corrections: "These instances are very rare, (but) ... we do not maintain a central list of the disposition of these cases."

From the Alaska Department of Corrections: "We, luckily, have no need to keep statistics, as this has not been a problem."

From the Connecticut Department of Corrections: "Our department does not maintain statistics regarding inmate on inmate rape or sexual abuse primarily because it is seldom reported ...."

In state after state, the officials running the prisons disavow any knowledge of a problem that, according to the best research on the subject, affects as many as one in five male prisoners.

For that reason, and many others, No Escape is a wrenching book to read. It's also one of the most in-depth, authoritative, and comprehensive books written on the subject of prisoner rape. The book provides a review of the conditions that contribute to prisoner rape--including the growth of the American prison population in the last 20 years, the privatization of the prison industry, and the crippling of prisoners' legal rights through the Prison Litigation Reform Act of 1996.

No Escape also reviews some of the realities of prisoner rape that are misunderstood by the public: that victims tend to be nonviolent offenders, young people, and first-timers; that victims are sometimes subjected to repeated abuse that can last for years; and that rape victims contract diseases like HIV and often suffer from crippling depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

All of these facts are brought to life in No Escape through the inclusion of prisoners' first-hand accounts of rape. Human Rights Watch quotes men like B.J. from Connecticut (that peaceful state where rape is "seldom reported," according to the DOC) who describes being assaulted after he was celled with a known rapist.

"I remained in shock and paralyzed in thought for two days until I was able to muster the courage to report it, this the most dreadful and horrifying experience of my life," B.J. writes.

Then there are prisoners like M.P. from Arkansas, who describes submitting to life as a sexual slave for another prisoner, and S.H., from Texas, who was rented out for sexual favors. S.H. filed five grievances, eight appeals and a federal lawsuit in an attempt to get some relief for his situation. He was denied any remedy, every step of the way.

That institutional indifference to the problem of sexual assault behind bars is documented in No Escape's final chapter, where Mariner notes that "rape occurs in U.S. prisons because corrections officials, to a surprising extent, do little to stop it from occurring."

Even simple steps that could reduce the likelihood of sexual assault--such as realistic prisoner orientation programs and careful classification of prisoners by risk of victimization--are relatively uncommon, Human Rights Watch reports. Prisoners' complaints of rape are not taken seriously and avenues of legal redress are typically blocked.

"Rape is not an inevitable consequence of prison life, but it certainly is a predictable one if little is done to prevent it and punish it," Mariner concludes.

The two years since No Escape was published have seen a major surge of advocacy to address sexual assault behind bars. No Escape was covered on the front page of the New York Times, introducing many members of the public to a reality they had never considered. Since then, publications such as the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, The Nation, Mother Jones, and The Weekly Standard have also prominently covered the issue.

No Escape has served as a powerful resource for Stop Prisoner Rape (SPR), the only national organization solely devoted to ending sexual violence behind bars. Stop Prisoner Rape had been around for more than 20 years before No Escape, but the book's authoritative documentation of the problem has proved to be a critical tool in SPR's arsenal.

Since the publication of No Escape, SPR and Human Rights Watch have worked together (along with others) to launch a listserv, sponsor a national conference, and lobby for the first-ever federal legislation to address rape in prison, known as the Prison Rape Reduction Act. In fact, No Escape was cited during Congressional hearings on the bill. The legislation, which is still pending, would authorize a study to document the extent of the problem; and create a program of standards and incentives to help corrections officials detect and prevent prisoner rape.

For men and women behind bars, rape remains a real threat. SPR continues to hear from prisoners every day who are being victimized--prisoners who still face the kinds of brutality documented in No Escape. SPR now offers survivors of sexual assault a range of information and referrals, the chance to post stories on its heavily trafficked website, and the opportunity to speak out through contacts with reporters and researchers.

That's a powerful legacy for a single book, but No Escape tells a powerful story. It's one we all need to understand.

[1stFreedom]

Odd are you wont hit the larynx due to the guy trying to duck. What ends up happening is you typically hit the throat and the guy chokes for a little bit.

And you forget, HIV kills. Taking out a guy in prison is justified IMO -- it's self preservation. I also said "incapacitiate" not kill.

As for where I've been, it wouldn't make a difference if you knew or not.

[longtermmemmory]

they count them as part of the homosexual population. (seriously)

[Sci Fi Guy]

Prisoners should be told that if they rape anyone in jail, they get 20 years on their sentence for the first offense. life for the 2nd, and death for third. If they are already in for life, then straight to the electric chair.

That makes a lot of sense, but you still need to have correction officials care about preventing rape.

[doc]

Exactly right. Punishment must be dealt for these sex offenders. If someone is serving a life sentence and commits a sex crime in prison then they should get sentenced to solitary confinement.

[1stFreedom]

Short time doesn't matter. It's a matter of survival.

Wanna get raped and get HIV? Wanna be shared around the block? Then don't fight back and let them have you. Then when you leave prision dying of AIDS a short time later, think if it was worth not putting up a fight.

The norms and rules of prison are not the same as the outside. Your short prison sentence doesn't mean much to someone who wants to rape you. You have to play within those rules, not when you are getting out and so forth.

[job]

Absolutlely!! I thought I was the only one who thought that is the system that should be implemented. Where the crime involve theft, loss of money, destruction of property, non-violent crimes to people, no one really wins by making the guy go to jail. Now, if the guy had to work and fork over a third of what he made each pay day until he paid his victim, the victim gets restored, the offender learns a lesson, and hopefully has a much better shot at becoming a productive citizen, (not to mention the human toll on his family; he could repay his debt to the victim, but also still be there and a part of his family).

Violent criminals are a different matter entirely. Armed robbery, assault, rape, murder, all those folks in a different institution, closely monitored, little freedom.

[circles]

As for where I've been, it wouldn't make a difference if you knew or not.

Just wondering, because I know a guy who did time in a North Carolina prison (not sure if it was medium or max) who said you can just mind your own business and do your own time, so I'm wondering how much of a difference it makes where you do your time.

I've never been in prison so I don't know. (Did a few days in the county jail, but that's not the same thing.)

[MEGoody]

"This topic should scare all males because we could end up in prison over any stupid thing on any given day."

The topic of rape scares women every day. It shouldn't be tolerated no matter who the victim is.

[Wolfie]

Student In Jail For Drugs Is Raped

[1stFreedom]

You *can* do your own thing. It's not impossible.

The problem is if you are pressured to join a group or you get targeted by a gang. Then you can no longer do your own thing.

You might as well cut things off at the start and join whatever group you fit in with.

In some ways, county jail is worse than prison. In prison it's a little more open, a little more freedom, etc. Some places you can even have your own TV. Some prisons have kitchennets where you can get coffee, etc.

And remember, plenty of guys get raped in county jail. Happens all the time. Typicall it's by someone awaiting a court appearrance -- a hardened experienced criminal if you will. The victim is usally a young male who is scared to death to begin with.

IMO,County jail is just a filthy holding cell for animals. Most people are there for under 6 months (some over) and so the entire atmosphere is one of a temporary nature. It's filthy, people piss all over the toilet in the cells, etc. A prison cell, on the other hand, is where you'll be spending the next five years. The prisoners keep their cells cleaner than those in county.

[jmc813]

WOD Ping

[Drew68]

Pretty good reason to stay out of jail (by not doing the things that puts you there) in the first place.

People innocent of crimes are incarcerated every day. It just doesn't make the news (unless they were on death row).

[Orange1998]

Your post 1-5 speaks the truth.

1. The worst part is when you first get in. Guy whistling at you, just like in the movies. Ignore it and don't let it get to you.

Yup and the guys at the end of the line is yelled "Hey Charlie, glad to see ya back!"

[1stFreedom]

IMO, it comes down to this.

There are certain things worth fighting for even if it means your life. Young women have cast themselves from towers in order to avoid rape.

Considering the HIV problem, it makes it even clearer that you can either fight and die or die slowly of some AIDS related infection.

The worst that can happen in either circumstance is you die, so you might as well choose the method.

As for me, I'd take a bic in the neck.

[circles]

IMO,County jail is just a filthy holding cell for animals. Most people are there for under 6 months (some over) and so the entire atmosphere is one of a temporary nature. It's filthy, people piss all over the toilet in the cells, etc.

Can't disagree with that. Plus it was summer when I was there, and there was no air conditioning or fans. I was only there 4 days. I couldn't have imagined spending 6 months there. There were all races of people there. Some were real low lifes, but, I didn't get the feeling anyone was dangerous.

[1stFreedom]

I've met some really dangerous people in county. But they just blend in well and aren't overly agressive -- they are sly and stealthy.

Race problems don't happen to much in county. Mostly short timers there on traffic tickets, misdemeanors, etc.

They usually put the felons in a separate lockdown facility. That's where things intensify.

[wardaddy]

In some ways, county jail is worse than prison.

Bingo! A large urban county or city jail can be much worse. Put a young naive kid in a pod full of hardcore guys and it can get really bad really fast.

*note to all "hard love" parents...don't leave your kids in jail for a minor offense to teach them a lesson. Bail them out. The hacks in local lock-ups are generally worse too...and that's saying something.

[666beast]

great thread with good advice.

i learned a lot. thanks.

listen up, freeper bump.

[1stFreedom]

I remember once when I was using a common latrine. This guy had no toilet paper and wanted mine. He didn't ask for it, he yelled "yo give me the f$##ing toilet paper". I told him to wait so he started approaching me. I said fine and tossed it in the air at him. This distracted him and I punched his nose with and open fist and gave him a big kick between the legs.

Then I did dropped him to the ground by putting him in a headlock and lifting my feet on the ground and he couldn't support my weight in his bent over position. I then tightned the headlock (sleeper hold) and cut his air off. I didn't do it long enough to knock him out but he sure was dazed and choking. I then proceeded to bruise his ribs with my boots. Needless to say, he never bothered me again.

Now, since I never *punched* him the guards couldn't tell I was involved. I had no marks or blood on me.

The guy must have been a good 50 pounds heaver than me and about six inches taller.

You'd be surprised at how quickly fights go down in prison. You really can hurt someone in under a minute or two.

[Ben Bolt]

Exactly .