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27/06/2012
Study Investigates Sex In British Prisons
The Howard League for Penal Reform has launched an independent Commission on Sex in Prison.
The Commission comprises eminent academics, former prison governors and health experts and will focus on three broad themes, consensual sex in prisons, coercive sex in prisons and healthy sexual development among young people in prison.
The Commission will undertake the first ever review of sex inside prison where it is unlawful to have sex because prison cells are deemed to be public places. There is currently little reliable evidence available on both consensual and coercive sexual activity in prisons. It is not known to what extent men and women who identify as heterosexual may have sex with other prisoners while in prison. The Commission will also consider coercive sex which could involve rape, harassment, intimidation, assault or bribery.
The development of sexual awareness and intimate relationships are an integral part of adolescence and the Commission will consider how relationship patterns formed in adolescence can impact on the rest of a person’s life. The healthy sexual development of adolescents in prison warrants further investigation.
The purpose of the Commission is to understand the nature and the scale of the issues and problems, making a series of recommendations with a view to making prisons safer. It will also examine how the situation in England and Wales differs from other international contexts, looking for best practice.
The Commission on Sex in Prison will undertake primary research, conduct visits and hear evidence from experts. It is expected to publish briefings on interim findings and produce a final report at the end of the two year investigation.
The Howard League has extensive experience in conducting commissions and inquiries in various areas of penal policy.
(GK)
The Commission comprises eminent academics, former prison governors and health experts and will focus on three broad themes, consensual sex in prisons, coercive sex in prisons and healthy sexual development among young people in prison.
The Commission will undertake the first ever review of sex inside prison where it is unlawful to have sex because prison cells are deemed to be public places. There is currently little reliable evidence available on both consensual and coercive sexual activity in prisons. It is not known to what extent men and women who identify as heterosexual may have sex with other prisoners while in prison. The Commission will also consider coercive sex which could involve rape, harassment, intimidation, assault or bribery.
The development of sexual awareness and intimate relationships are an integral part of adolescence and the Commission will consider how relationship patterns formed in adolescence can impact on the rest of a person’s life. The healthy sexual development of adolescents in prison warrants further investigation.
The purpose of the Commission is to understand the nature and the scale of the issues and problems, making a series of recommendations with a view to making prisons safer. It will also examine how the situation in England and Wales differs from other international contexts, looking for best practice.
The Commission on Sex in Prison will undertake primary research, conduct visits and hear evidence from experts. It is expected to publish briefings on interim findings and produce a final report at the end of the two year investigation.
The Howard League has extensive experience in conducting commissions and inquiries in various areas of penal policy.
(GK)
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