Rethinking Prison Sex: Self Expression and Safety

Authors

Brenda V. Smith, American University Washington College of LawFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2006

Journal

Columbia Journal of Gender and Law

Volume

15

Abstract

This article analyzes legislation and policies that limit prisoners' sexual expression and autonomy. The article juxtaposes prisoners interest in sexual expression against the interests of the state in regulating sex by and between prisoners. The article concludes that the state has an interest in regulating sex between inmates and staff and in regulating coerced or forced sex between inmates. In other instances prisons could accommodate prisoners' interest in sexual expression and achieve important goals such as better decisionmaking; improved relations with family and partners to aid community reentry; reduction of prison rape; and as inmate management.

Recommended Citation

Brenda V. Smith, Rethinking Prison Sex: Self Expression and Safety, 15 (2006).
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/facsch_lawrev/889