Corrections
How Common is Prison Rape?
Accurate data on prison rape is difficult to obtain due to underreporting and misunderstandings of what constitutes rape.
Studies vary, with some indicating rarity and others suggesting nearly half of inmates experience sexual coercion.
Reasons for not reporting include embarrassment, fear, and belief that nothing will be done.
BJS surveys of former inmates revealed that about 8% reported sexual victimization by inmates or staff.
Staff-on-inmate contact is always considered nonconsensual and illegal; some victims are offered favors, while others are coerced.
Gay and bisexual men experience higher rates of victimization.
Female inmates have a higher rate of inmate-on-inmate sexual victimization than males.
What Factors Lead to Sexual Victimization?
High rates of sexual coercion are linked to barrack-style housing, large prison populations, and lenient security.
Research indicates white inmates, younger individuals, and those with mental illness are more likely to be victimized.
Cellblocks with solid cell fronts may contribute to sexual assault by limiting observation and soundproofing cells.
Sexual Violence in Women's Prisons
Numerous reports exist of female prisoners being sexually abused by male correctional workers.
Staff-on-inmate misconduct includes a range of behaviors, and incidents are often unreported.
Laws have been enacted to criminalize some staff sexual misconduct.
Some sexual liaisons may be consensual.
Correctional Rehabilitation
Most prisons offer treatment programs like therapy, counseling, and vocational training.
Matching inmates with appropriate services is challenging.
Individual and Group Counseling
Inmates often have cognitive and psychosocial deficits.
Counseling programs aim to help inmates manage emotions, communicate, handle legal and life issues, and maintain relationships; these programs use group therapy, artistic activities, meditation, and yoga.
Anger Management
Programs address anger dependency and inappropriate use of anger, often combined with drug/sex offender treatment.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is frequently used to restructure distorted thinking.
CBT focuses on changing thinking patterns to improve behavior and involves recognizing and changing distorted thinking.
Studies show CBT programs are successful when they include anger control, problem-solving, high-quality implementation, and are used with high-risk offenders.
Behavioral programs reduce inmate misconduct and recidivism.
Faith-Based Programs
Religious programs can improve outcomes post-release, but benefits may diminish over time.
These programs involve secular activities like skill-building and support networks and are more effective for inmates with higher self-worth.
Drug Treatment Programs
Prisons offer programs for substance abuse, including 12-step meetings and counseling.
Multisystemic treatment combines psychological treatment, medical care, and vocational training.
Medication-assisted treatment includes methadone and naltrexone.
Therapeutic communities (TCs) use peer pressure in a structured environment to foster change.
Treating substance-abusing offenders is difficult, and effective programming remains elusive.
Treating the AIDS-Infected Inmate
IV drug users and males engaging in same-sex relations are at high risk for HIV.
Many inmates are HIV-infected.
Policies to confront AIDS are problematic; testing and education efforts are often inadequate due to restrictions on information about drug paraphernalia and safe sex.
Educational and Vocational Programs
Rehabilitation includes vocational and educational training.
Programs range from GED courses to classroom education staffed by certified teachers.
Programs often suffer from funding and administrative issues.
Community volunteers and flexible schedules can help circumvent difficulties.
Participation in education programs reduces rule violations and increases post-release earnings and employment.
Vocational Training
Most institutions offer vocational training programs.
Federal Prison Industries (UNICOR) teaches inmates to produce goods and services.
Inmates often struggle to find good jobs post-release.
Equipment is often obsolete, and programs can be disguised as prison upkeep; unions resent prison labor.
Work Release
Work release programs allow inmates to work in the community.
Inmates may live at the institution or remain in the community for extended periods.
Inmates may face resistance from the community but benefit from skill development and easier transition.
Private Prison Enterprise
Free Venture Program (1976) initiated private industries inside prisons.
Models include the state-use model, free-enterprise model, and corporate model.
Postrelease Programs
Correctional departments offer employment services to aid transition.
These services assess backgrounds and help create job plans, providing community placements and support services.
Can Rehabilitation Work?
Early studies suggested "nothing works," but later research indicates rehabilitation can be effective.
Programs that teach interpersonal skills, provide counseling, use behavior modification and CBT, improve moral reasoning, and combine therapeutic communities show promise.
Guarding the Institution
Prison control is complex.
Guards, now viewed as public servants, maintain order, advocate for treatment, and supervise facilities.