Contextualization of Physical and Sexual Assault in Male Prisons: Incidents and Their Aftermath

Overview

Journal J Correct Health Care

Publisher Mary Ann Liebert

Specialties Health Services
Public Health

Date 2009 May 30

PMID 19477812

Citations 7

Authors

Nancy Wolff

Jing Shi

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Physical and sexual assault are part of the prison experience. Approximately 21% of male inmates are physically assaulted during a 6-month period. Sexual assault is estimated at between 2% and 5%. Although prevalence evidence is growing, less is known about circumstances surrounding and resulting from these incidents. This article presents an analysis of approximately 2,200 physical and 200 sexual victimizations reported by a random sample of 6,964 male inmates. Physical injury occurred in 40% of physical assaults and 70% of sexual assaults between inmates and in 50% of assaults perpetrated by staff. Emotional reactions to assaults were experienced by virtually all victims. Context information is vital in the development and implementation of prevention and therapeutic interventions.

Citing Articles

Hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency virus infections within correctional facilities in Ghana.

Sagoe K, Atuahene K, Ayiku A, Pappoe-Ashong P, Boamah I, Till H PLoS One. 2023; 18(11):e0293009.

PMID: 37922278 PMC: 10624276. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293009.

Torture and Maltreatment in Prison: A Medico-Legal Perspective.

Albano G, Guadagnino D, Midiri M, Spina C, Tullio V, Argo A Healthcare (Basel). 2023; 11(4).

PMID: 36833110 PMC: 9956078. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11040576.

Nonconsensual Sexual Experience Histories of Incarcerated Men: A Mixed Methods Approach.

McKie R, Sternin S, Kilimnik C, Levere D, Humphreys T, Reesor A Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol. 2021; 68(2-3):155-182.

PMID: 34923858 PMC: 10773167. DOI: 10.1177/0306624X211065584.

Sexual Violence Victimization of U.S. Males: Negative Health Conditions Associated with Rape and Being Made to Penetrate.

Smith S, Chen J, Lowe A, Basile K J Interpers Violence. 2021; 37(21-22):NP20953-NP20971.

PMID: 34851224 PMC: 9156716. DOI: 10.1177/08862605211055151.

Vaccinations in prisons: A shot in the arm for community health.

Sequera V, Valencia S, Garcia-Basteiro A, Marco A, Bayas J Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2015; 11(11):2615-26.

PMID: 26158401 PMC: 4685700. DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2015.1051269.

References

Rosenberg S, Mueser K, Friedman M, Gorman P, Drake R, VIDAVER R . Developing effective treatments for posttraumatic disorders among people with severe mental illness. Psychiatr Serv. 2001; 52(11):1453-61. DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.52.11.1453. View

Fallot R, Harris M . The Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model (TREM): conceptual and practical issues in a group intervention for women. Community Ment Health J. 2002; 38(6):475-85. DOI: 10.1023/a:1020880101769. View

Zlotnick C, Najavits L, Rohsenow D, Johnson D . A cognitive-behavioral treatment for incarcerated women with substance abuse disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder: findings from a pilot study. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2003; 25(2):99-105. DOI: 10.1016/s0740-5472(03)00106-5. View

Wolff N, Blitz C, Shi J . Rates of sexual victimization in prison for inmates with and without mental disorders. Psychiatr Serv. 2007; 58(8):1087-94. PMC: 2811043. DOI: 10.1176/ps.2007.58.8.1087. View

McHugo G, Caspi Y, Kammerer N, Mazelis R, Jackson E, Russell L . The assessment of trauma history in women with co-occurring substance abuse and mental disorders and a history of interpersonal violence. J Behav Health Serv Res. 2005; 32(2):113-27. DOI: 10.1007/BF02287261. View

Hensley C, Koscheski M, Tewksbury R . Examining the characteristics of male sexual assault targets in a Southern maximum-security prison. J Interpers Violence. 2005; 20(6):667-79. DOI: 10.1177/0886260505276069. View

Struckman-Johnson C, Struckman-Johnson D . A comparison of sexual coercion experiences reported by men and women in prison. J Interpers Violence. 2006; 21(12):1591-615. DOI: 10.1177/0886260506294240. View

Hien D, Cohen L, Miele G, Litt L, Capstick C . Promising treatments for women with comorbid PTSD and substance use disorders. Am J Psychiatry. 2004; 161(8):1426-32. DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.161.8.1426. View

Wolff N, Blitz C, Shi J, Bachman R, Siegel J . Sexual violence inside prisons: rates of victimization. J Urban Health. 2006; 83(5):835-48. PMC: 2438589. DOI: 10.1007/s11524-006-9065-2. View

10.

Kluft R, Bloom S, Kinzie J . Treating traumatized patients and victims of violence. New Dir Ment Health Serv. 2000; (86):79-102. DOI: 10.1002/yd.23320008610. View

11.

Marshall M, Shekelle P, Leatherman S, Brook R . The public release of performance data: what do we expect to gain? A review of the evidence. JAMA. 2000; 283(14):1866-74. DOI: 10.1001/jama.283.14.1866. View

12.

Najavits L, Sonn J, Walsh M, Weiss R . Domestic violence in women with PTSD and substance abuse. Addict Behav. 2004; 29(4):707-15. DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2004.01.003. View

13.

Zlotnick C, Johnson J, Najavits L . Randomized controlled pilot study of cognitive-behavioral therapy in a sample of incarcerated women with substance use disorder and PTSD. Behav Ther. 2009; 40(4):325-36. PMC: 3031094. DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2008.09.004. View

14.

Hibbard J, Stockard J, Tusler M . Hospital performance reports: impact on quality, market share, and reputation. Health Aff (Millwood). 2005; 24(4):1150-60. DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.24.4.1150. View

15.

Harris M, Fallot R . Designing trauma-informed addictions services. New Dir Ment Health Serv. 2001; (89):57-73. DOI: 10.1002/yd.23320018907. View

16.

Wolff N, Shi J, Bachman R . Measuring victimization inside prisons: questioning the questions. J Interpers Violence. 2008; 23(10):1343-62. DOI: 10.1177/0886260508314301. View