Prisons should be racially segregated to reduce incidences of rape

[chequita guevara]

Excellent post, Chris. I would point out, though, that while gansta rap is exceedingly violent (an even more mysogynist), it seems to be more popular among whites than among Blacks. I consider gnagsta rap little more than a modern version of the minstral show.

[TCO]

The solution is to implement better order and discipline in the prisons. Not segregation.

[chequita guevara]

[Caligastia]

ok then

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by GP
The solution is to implement better order and discipline in the prisons. Not segregation.

Amen *claps for GP*

Am I not the only one, then, who thinks prisons should be run like no-frills boot camps?

Rape is a crime, crime is just as illegal inside a prison as it is outside of it, so it should be dealt with accordingly.

[Shi Huangdi]

GP is right. It would be entirely possible to prevent this if prisons were to try. One of the main problems with prisons is the authority inmates can gain over each other.

[Seeker]

I have heard that the USA has, like, one of the highest world stats for rape because Americans view prison rape as part of the system, a sort of 'scared straight' program.


How the heck does prison rape even occur? Aren't they pretty much locked in a LOCKED cell most of time, and only allowed outside under heavy, armed guard constantly watched?

My guess is that rapes happen when the prisoner is alone and unsupervized....which should NEVER happen!

What are they typically doing at these times? Working for the state, 'learning important new skills', exercising, etc. So there is an economic pay-off to someone in working the prisoners as much as possible, which leads to them being vulnerable/unsupervized.

During the 70s there was a cry for more human, open-concept prisons. Bad idea.

Here is my idea for a humane prison: The Panopticon prison. Thought of in 19th century England, it looks like a big stadium or colloseum. The Warden has a tower in the middle where he can see into all cells. There are no corners, no cell blocks, nothing to obstruct view.

The floor or 'playing area' in the middle can be converted from workbenches to exercise yard to recreational center. All under total view by binocular using watchers in the tower. The watchers spell each other in 1 shifts of 8 watchers per hour when prisoners are 'out' to ensure maximum vigilance. In addition, guards are constantly patrolling in groups of 6-8. If being used as a workshop or lunch hall, the benchs are always in straight rows so that any disturbance is seen from above. With exercise, rec, large groups and gatherings are immediately broken up to prevent rape under cover.

All cells are slightly larger than today, because the prisoners will be locked down more often. They must have individual showers, bathrooms, 1 Prisoner per cell.

No TV. Prisoners are free to order from the library.

On special occasions, the warden will allow a 'jumbotron' to be used for Stanley Cup, monthly movies, etc. but this is a privelege dependant on good behaviour.

Special Punishment:
Instead of solitary confinement, there is 'elevated confinement'.

This is where a 'hardcase' is placed in a special cell/cage on a narrow tower in on the floor. The cell is all plexiglass all around and has a drain in the floor and a shower head on the ceiling. Soundproof, natch.

The punishment is total loss of privacy, even the privacy of anonymity.

I believe this is the most secure, most humane prison system. Pop. 10 000.

[SpencerH]

There is a maximun security prison here kind of like that called pelican Bay. Prisoners are locked down 23hrs a day and are shackled while moving from cell to anywhere else. Its considered to be a form of torture by the prisoners.

[Seeker]

That's because they went cheap. In the Panopticon, prisoners still get lots of time in the 'open' pen, just under more controlled circumstances.

Besides, if I was only in for 1-4 years, I would be much more concerned with my security re: rapes, gangs, riots, and miscellaeous beatings than the 'frills and lace'.

Actually, think of how much reading I could get done....I could finally finish War and Peace!

[Caligastia]

You have some good ideas there Seeker. The problem with most prisons is that the prisoners are molly-coddled thanks to the "cry for more human, open-concept prisons" as you said.

Great post.

[Ned]

The problem is obvious. Liberal white prisoners are p*ssies. All they know how to do is turn the other cheek.

[Carver]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
Excellent post, Chris. I would point out, though, that while gansta rap is exceedingly violent (an even more mysogynist), it seems to be more popular among whites than among Blacks. I consider gnagsta rap little more than a modern version of the minstral show.

Fantastic analogy.

[MrFun]

The other problem is the prevelant homophobia in prisons that cause many prison officers to refuse to help known gay inmates who are repeatedly victimized.

[Tingkai]

Originally posted by GP
The solution is to implement better order and discipline in the prisons. Not segregation.

One of the comments in the report supports this idea:

"[My cellmate] was younger, stronger than I and larger. He introduced himself as a bi-sexual. And was for two weeks "touchie-feelie." I had to screem/yell at him to stop. The officers here 1. Ignored my complaints. 2. Asked me if I was his lover. 3. Did nothing. He became more difficult to deal with and started to threaten me. Finally one day he attacked me."

http://www.hrw.org/reports/2001/prison/report4.html#_1_27

[Tingkai]

Re: Prisons should be racially segregated to reduce incidences of rape

Originally posted by Caligastia
Whites are targeted for rape by blacks and hispanics because they are a minority in prison and because they dont stick together for fear of being "racist".

There is nothing in the report that supports this theory.

The HRW report offered several theories about black-on-white rapes and why whites are less likely to rape blacks:
1) Blacks and Hispanics are better at protecting their own (no indication that whites do not try to protect other whites);
2) Black criminal subculture is more violent;
3) Whites are targeted as a form of revenge for discrimination faced by blacks;
4) White immates are seen as a stand-in for the guards;
5) Whites are perceived as weaker (one inmate told HRW that "The belief that all or most white men are effete or gay is very prevalent, & that whites are cowards... Whites are prey and even a punk will be supported if he beats up a white dude.")

But segregation won't necessarily eliminate rape because the report states:

"Although many whites reported being raped by white inmates, black on white abuse appears to be more common."

However, the report states that there is no reliable stats on the number of inmates who get raped. black-on-white rape may APPEAR to be more common, but that doesn't mean that it actually is more common.

"Without question, the hard facts about inmate-on-inmate sexual abuse are little known. No conclusive national data exist regarding the prevalence of prisoner-on-prisoner rape and other sexual abuse in the United States."