Prison Rape Analysts continue to debate the appropriate role of the corrections system. One camp firmly believes that prisons are places punishment. The other side argues that the primary role of prisons is to provide rehabilitation, to train former criminals to become participative members of society.

This paper argues that even though restitution and punishment is important, the more vital role of prisons lies in rehabilitation. Realistically, most prisoners will be eligible for parole. It is therefore in the general public's best interests to ensure that prisons serve as venues for rehabilitation, by providing services like counseling and job skills training.

The focus of this paper is on one of the biggest obstacle to the goal of rehabilitation -- violence in prisons.

Studies have shown that the environment in many prisons is permeated with violence ("Violence and inmate characteristics"). This atmosphere makes it virtually impossible for any rehabilitation to occur. After all, it is difficult to learn new skills when an inmate is concerned about getting beaten up and getting sexually assaulted.

Thus, to fulfill their role as places of rehabilitation, reforms must be instituted in the prison system to address the silent but growing problem of violence in America's prisons.

Sexual assault remains a fixture in the mythology of prison. Conventional wisdom states that such forms of violence are part of prison life, given the violent nature of most criminals. As a result, few members of the general public are aware of the extent of these problems. Fewer still are willing to devote public resources towards addressing this problem.

The problem of prison violence, however, goes beyond individual concerns. Prisons are places where inmates are constantly subjected to threats and the potential of violence -- sexual or otherwise. They are also subjected to a dehumanizing loneliness, one that keeps them isolated from forming connections with other inmates.

At best,...

In the worst cases, however, many non-violent offenders quickly learn to adapt to the new rules. As a result, many prisoners develop violent tendencies of their own, tendencies which they maintain when they are released back into society.
One misconception regarding the problem of sexual assault in prisons is that such attacks are caused by homosexual tendencies or same-sex orientation. Stephen Donaldson observes that sexual relations in prison are used to create a social hierarchy. Inmates are classified according to their "active" and "passive" roles. Thus, passive inmates who are penetrated -- voluntarily or through rape -- suffer a loss of their masculinity. They are then considered "fair game" for the rest of the population. To avoid further attack, they usually pair off with a "Man" who agrees to be their protector (Donaldson).

To remain on the top tier of prison society, however, an inmate has to be classified as a "Man."

In prison society, an inmate remains a "Man" if he successfully avoids sexual penetration. By virtue of their status, "Man" is able to establish the behavioral norms and dominant values for the prison population. Other inmates defer to these "Men" when it comes to activities like smuggling and drug trafficking (Donaldson).

Because of the importance of this status, "Men" must strive to maintain their status, often through violent attacks on dissenters. These attacks serve to emasculate potential problem prisoners. It also ensures that "Men" learn to solidify their positions through violent means.

To compound the problem, the codes against sexual activity in prisons simply ensure that prison sex takes place in secrecy. Prisoners who are attacked have little recourse, and in fact face violent sanctions for going to the prison administration. "Men" can thus act with impunity, not having to fear prison guards. Still, they have to ensure that their positions as the leaders of prison society…