No Escape: Male Rape In U.S. Prisons

Human Rights Watch ^ | 2007.02.12 | Joanne Mariner

[B-Chan]

I think you're right. Solitary confinement under Spartan conditions should be the rule.

[Nachum]

The truth is that assault is common in prison for lots of reasons beside rape. One of the Border Patrol agents sent to prison just was assaulted by four men in his federal prison. They beat him mercilessly.

[Obadiah]

No, he is not "innocent". He broke the law, but by no stretch did he deserve what he got. And, for the record, I also agree that those who glibly say, "Well, obey the law..." are dangerously naive.

[aculeus]

I notice a considerable amount of gloating on FR when a story about inmate rape is posted.

It's stupidity. In effect, the state is providing sex toys or sex slaves to the most violent. What on Earth is just -- or funny -- about that?

[isthisnickcool]

On the other hand consider the justifiable outrage here at the 2 border patrol agents currently locked up.

It's simply not "very easy to end up in slam in the United States, even if you're 100% innocent." Out of the several 100 million people in the United States a very small percentage have ever been in jail. Should I assume from b-chan's post that most of you folks have been in jail? I don't think so.

In the case of the border agents note the outrage and all the effort by so many people to get them bailed out or pardoned. That's 2 border patrol agents out of about 11,000.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

The last time I checked rape wasn't a Constitutional form of punishment.

Exactly. I'm all for serious punishment for serious crimes, but that serious punishment consists of incarceration and removal of liberties, not homosexual rape or other physical abuse from other prisoners.

Prisons are intended to safeguard society from convicted criminals - they aren't supposed to be playgrounds for the biggest, meanest gay rapists.

[HEY4QDEMS]

As to custodial sexual misconduct against male prisoners, we decided not to include that topic within the scope of this report even though some prisoners who claimed to have been subject to such abuse did contact us. An initial review of the topic convinced us that it involved myriad issues that were distinct from the topic at hand, which is complicated enough in itself

Translation: We know those prisoners are full of sh!t.

[Tijeras_Slim]

I have worked in several correctional facilities. I do not see how this could occur to the scope the inmate says given the level of observation applied to the inmates. I have no doubt it does happen, but I believe less than indicated here. Still, such barbarism has no place in the correctional system.

[investigateworld]

Good post as I totally agree. There are also the Bibical injunction(s) such as "what is done for the least...".

[Frapster]

good post - thanks for sharing.

[keat]

He broke the law, but by no stretch did he deserve what he got.

Poor choice of words.

[50sDad]

Speaking as one who rarely breaks the law, and then no more than speeding...this is another good reason to stay out of jail, kids. Stay in school. Only losers use drugs.

[kiriath_jearim]

"Where are you going to go where no one can hear you scream in a prison?"

***
Good point. In fact, one of the early promo ads for the original "Alien" movie with Sigourney Weaver stated "In space, no one can hear you scream."

[ArrogantBustard]

1) When we incarcerate folks, we assume responsibility for their safety. Like it or not, like them or not. Since no jurisdiction in these United States statutorily imposes rape as a punishment for any crime, we have a responsibility to ensure that our prisoners are not the victims of rape.

2) Prison is supposed to be a punishment, not a playground for violent perverts. When we allow prisoners to engage in serial rape, we are failing in our duty to impose on them the punishment prescribed for their crimes. The inmates are NOT supposed to be running the institution.

[B-Chan]

It's easy to be callous until it's you (or your loved one) face down on that prison floor.

If you truly have no pity for victims of prison rape, then may God heal your poor wounded soul.

[misterrob]

Who cares? He should have to be subjected to repeated acts of faggotry for DUI?

[zook]

I agree with you that this is a tragedy and a travesty. It may not be "easy" for an innocent person to end up in jail, but it is probably much more likely to do so than to be hit by lightning or win the lotto; and guilty people don't even deserve this, as much as we like to joke about it.

Gordon Liddy has long held that prison guards are the very worst people in the world. If they don't take steps to prevent this kind of thing, then I'd have to agree with him.

[50sDad]

GAY = SSAD (Same Sex Attraction Disorder.)

[MovementConservative]

Sorry, bub. If I ended up in the slammer and was targetted for rape, they would first have to kill me. I'd fight with every inch of life left before I'd allow that. I'd rather die a man than survive as someone's woman.

[bondjamesbond]

Right you are. There should be a zero tolerance policy for rape in prison. The state, if it is going to incarcerate people, has a responsibility to ensure their safety while in custody.

This is no laughing matter. It is not a legitimate part of punishment.