Some have images of prison as a place where criminals are pushed around; a place where rape and abuse would seem "virtually a fact of life" ("Legislature" 1). Many feel this is justified because those people deserve it. In prison we know that sex is expected to happen amongst the female inmates and guards (Harrison 1). However, no person should have to endure forced intercourse. As a society we look at prison inmates as less than human because they did something wrong in their life. Nevertheless, they are also people. Rape is rape and is not tolerable. Sexual abuse in prisons is a serious problem and needs a solution.
Here are some facts to show that sexual abuse is a problem in prisons. According to the Seattle times there has been an increase in abuse complaints as more women have entered the prison system (Tyson 1). As more women come into prisons there are more opportunities for men to use their authority to exploit them. These female inmates have had to suffer the cruelty of the male guards. As indicated in one report,.
At Dwight (an Illinois all women prison) in the last year the illicit sex involved officers from all shifts and ranks, from patrol guards to captains. Using radios and lookouts the officers covered for each other. They engaged in sexual acts in basements, boiler rooms, tool sheds, closets, and bathrooms (Tyson 2).
These facts show how there is a dilemma of sexual abuse in the prison system.
One reason why this happens is because males are guarding females. Christian Science Monitor reveals, "Most US women's prisoners are guarded by men despite international rules discouraging the practice" (Tyson 1). The guards have a huge influence on the women because they have the authority to take away their everyday needs. Guards with the purpose of raping an inmate can do things such as prevent them from eating in order to manipulate the prisoner into having sex (Tyson 1). If the guards are male, rather than female, there is a much larger chance of this occurring.