Prison sexuality

Prison sexuality (or prison sex or penitentiary sex) deals with sexual relationships between confined individuals or those between a prisoner and a prison employee (or other persons to whom prisoners have access). Since most prisons are separated by gender, most sexual activity is conducted with a same-sex partner. Exceptions to this are sex with an employee of the opposite sex, as well as conjugal visits.

Prison sexuality is an issue that has been commonly misunderstood and misrepresented due to not only the taboo nature of the subject but also because of the lack of research. Despite having regulations of sexual activity while incarcerated, prison remains a very sexualized environment. Consensual sexual activity is most common in prisons.

Sexual behaviors in prisons are grouped into four categories. The first category is suppression in which an inmate chooses celibacy. This type of sexuality is focused on refraining from sexual activity within the prison. This most often occurs as an effort to stay loyal to one's partner outside of prison. Next category is Autoeroticism which occurs when one takes part in masturbation and pleasuring oneself. This act is looked down upon in prison and can be viewed as self-abuse. Next category is Homosexuality which consists of two types, consensual true and consensual situation. Consensual true refers to those who were homosexual before prison. Consensual situation describes those who have homosexual experiences for the first time in prison. The sexual violence category includes coercion, manipulation and compliance. Manipulation is performed for power or some kind of reward. Compliance is done for safety, protection or out of fear.

In general, prisoner-prisoner relationships would be same sex relationships, as prisons are generally segregated by sex. An exception to this general rule took place in Canada, at Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines prison. There, two convicted killers of the opposite sex, Karla Homolka and Jean-Paul Gerbet, were able to engage in sexual activity through a chain-link fence which was the only barrier separating men and women. This prison is Canada's highest security prison in which inmates of either sex may be sent if considered especially dangerous.

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