Feb. 14, 2012

Homosexuality In Prison

by Jeremy Pinson (author's profile)

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Homosexuality In Prison
by Jeremy Pinson

I recently read an excellent article in Prison Legal News about the plight of a sexual abuse survivor from the Colorado state prison system.
It got me to thinking about inmate and staff attitudes towards homosexuality in high security federal prisons.
Largely the spread of homophobia in federal prisons is due to proliferation of prison gangs that tend to view homosexuality as a sign of weakness and vulnerability. Prison gangs are very strict regarding homosexuality and white supremacist groups tend to assault or extort homosexuals as a means of bolstering their reputations as tough.
In my experience most inmates could care less about someones sexuality but in an environment where your every move is scrutinized and judged by the most predatory inmates, even the most liberal inmate converts to a fervent homophobe.
Sadly many prison officers are willfully ignorant to the plight of homosexuals who are often indeed victimized by gangs and other predators that roam prison yards. What is most disturbing about federal prison officials is their catch and release practices regarding the perpetrators of inmate on inmate violence. A violent inmate who assaults staff will likely be segregated in harsh confinement for years. But the inmate who assaults another inmate will likely face no greater punishment then a few months segregation before being released into the general population.
Similarly the Justice Department will prosecute even a minor assault on staff but rarely bothers to prosecute even the most egregious inmate assualts.
In a culture of such hate, bigortry, violence and indifference the homosexual suffers more then most and this saddens me. It is an injustice that renders prison sentances for these people much more harsh and terrifying then for any other type of offender.
I'm not equipped to do much about this except speak honestly about it even if few others incarcerated in prisons or employed in prisons have he courahge to be so candid. If there is any one thing I have identified as being fuel to the fires of injustice is the unwillingness of inmates and prison officials to begin dialogue on what are very sensitive issues. Prisoners are sent here as punishment, not for punishment. And by no means should the punishment become worsebecuase of a persons sexuality which is no more a choice then is gender or race.

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Replies (2) Replies feed

Hayley Posted 12 years, 8 months ago. ✓ Mailed 12 years, 8 months ago   Favorite
This is such a well written and thought provoking piece! I'm so glad you had the courage to write this.

dp Posted 12 years, 8 months ago. ✓ Mailed 12 years, 8 months ago   Favorite
I agree. My son did not tell me that he was not a heterosexual until he was an adult. Long after the time when I would have assured him that it did not matter because he was well loved and would never be abandoned for it. Maybe being locked into a prison is a very bad reason for almost completely abandoning the young man. I just hope the man can realize that family really does love him and that it is a short coming on their own part to go months and months without letters or cards. I would not be able to say it long enough or loud enough if I thought my love was not understood as a crater that would like to close around the man and provide warmth and support until the end of time. I am certainly that crater wanting to be able to do something that is not allowed. My visits have been denied for years now and books that I purchased for my son have been returned. It is difficult to understand why I am punished as well as my son by preventing any kind of contact even through glass. The government always has to have their nose in our business and they should be ashamed for keeping a mother from a child no matter how old he is. The mother will not live forever but will have to continue to live alone until death takes over. I miss J so much it physically hurts my heart.

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