Prisoners who have sex in jail face separation, commission finds

published on September 9, 2013 in The Guardian

Review of sex in prisons hears that separation policy thought to be discriminatory towards openly gay prisoners

Prisoners who have consensual sex while inside jail face being separated and possibly disciplined, prison governors have told the first review of sex behind bars in England and Wales.

Prisoners have told an independent commission that the policy of separating prisoners believed to be in a sexual relationship was discriminatory towards openly gay prisoners.

Sexual health charities, including the National Aids Trust, have also warned that attempts to control consensual sexual activity between prisoners risk undermining efforts to promote safe sex and prevent the spread of HIV, such as access to condoms.

The commission on sex in prison, set up by the Howard League for Penal Reform, is made up of academics, former prison governors, health experts, a former prisons minister and a former solicitor-general.

It says in its first briefing paper that although it is clear that some male prisoners are having sex, there has been little research on consensual activity and little reliable data.

The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV told the commission that evidence of sex in prison was largely anecdotal but widely reported in male and female prisons.

Alan Travis
The Guardian
Read More

View the full article >>

BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS

Search form

Prisoners who have sex in jail face separation, commission finds

Search form