Who is Having Sex Inside Prison?

Abstract

Using data from one Midwestern state, the present study focuses on the demographics and incarceration experience of 620 adult males confined inside prisons in order to identify the types of inmates who participate in consensual sex during their incarceration. Overall, findings reveal that there were few differences between inmates who were sexually active behind bars and inmates who were not sexually active behind bars. Limitations, directions for future research, and implications for policy and practice are discussed.

Notes

¹ It is true, however, that six prison systems (i.e., California, Connecticut, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, and Washington) allow conjugal visitation (Carlson 2015).

² Because the dependent variable was dichotomous, the use of logistic regression techniques was appropriate.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Richard Tewksbury

RICHARD TEWKSBURY is Professor of Justice Administration at the University of Louisville. He holds a Ph.D. in sociology from The Ohio State University. Dr. Tewksbury’s research interests include sex offender registration and notification, institutional corrections, and men’s sexuality.

David Patrick Connor

DAVID PATRICK CONNOR is a doctoral student in the Department of Justice Administration at the University of Louisville. Mr. Connor’s research interests include sex offenders and sex offenses, institutional corrections, and inmate reentry. His most recent publications have appeared in Federal Probation and Journal of Crime and Justice.